With a captain and crew of eight, the 42.8-metre Sanlorenzo 460Exp Moka, which launched last year, left Viareggio in December for the 500-mile first leg towards Palma. The yacht’s owner – keen to enjoy his new yacht in warmer waters – didn’t hesistate to attempt a winter Atlantic crossing. After battling some big seas, the crew took on supplies for the next 450-mile leg to Gibraltar. They headed for the Canaries, skirting the tail end of a depression. Moka reached Tenerife on Christmas Day following 750 miles at sea, and refuelled for the testing 2,700-mile leg to St Martin.

The long stretch proved to be uneventful – the steering and stabilsation systems kept things comfortable on board, as did the sound insulation. On January 6 the captain sighted St Martin on the horizon, and after a day in port she was off towards West Palm Beach on the final leg of 1,100 miles, which she reached without incident. Following a month at sea, and over 5,600 miles at an average speed of 12.5 knots, Moka hadn’t experienced any serious issue.

The steel and aluminum Moka, tailored to the owner’s specific requirements, is the first of the 460Exp line, which has been created for ocean crossing and faraway cruising. With a superstructure located further forward than on conventional yachts, she has a distinctive profile on the water. Four further 460Exp yachts have been sold and are currently in build.