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Hugo Vihlen: Crossing the Atlantic on a 5′ 4″ Sailboat

Published March 2, 2026

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

At 62, Hugo Vihlen sailed across the Atlantic in his sailboat Father’s Day. Father’s Day was just 5 feet 4 inches long. He survived a hurricane at sea, was reduced to eating quarter rations, and lost a kidney because he ran low on water. Thirty years and countless challengers later, his record still stands.

I sat down with Hugo a while back to hear his incredible story. Click on the video to hear how the 5′ 8″ Hugo tall slept on his 5′ 4″ boat. Full interview on the Travel Grit podcast.

Hugo Vihlen demonstrating the sextant he used on his sailboat Father's Day — Hugo Vihlen showing me how he used his sextant to navigate his tiny boat *April Fool* across the Atlantic Ocean.

More about the guests on Travel Grit.

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