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Meet the Adriatic Lux Team – Ella, Peck & Bobby
We’re Ella and Peck, the husband-and-wife team behind Adriatic Lux. As passionate sailors and skilled marine canvas specialists, we brought our dream to life—sailing across the Atlantic with our loyal dog, Bobby, aboard Envera, a sailboat we fully restored with our own hands.

Over the course of three unforgettable months, we covered 6,800 nautical miles, departing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, and crossing the vast Atlantic Ocean to reach the beautiful coast of Montenegro in the southeastern Mediterranean. This journey wasn’t just a test of seamanship—it was a celebration of craftsmanship, teamwork, and the adventurous spirit that drives everything we do at Adriatic Lux.

Sailing eastbound across the Atlantic is more challenging than the westbound journey. Westbound sailors benefit from the easterly trade winds, providing a “downhill” ride. In contrast, our eastbound route intersected with mid-latitude storm tracks and strong Westerlies, which brought large waves, rapidly shifting weather systems, and frequent storms. We had to navigate carefully around the Azores–Bermuda high-pressure system and brave intense conditions—including hurricanes. One of the most unforgettable moments came when we encountered Hurricane Don. We adjusted course southeast instead of heading directly toward the Azores, trying to stay on the storm’s edge and avoid its center. For days, we tracked it closely, riding along its outer bands. Eventually, we managed to catch the tail of the hurricane and used its wind to help push us north toward the Azores. It was a strategic gamble—and a wild ride—but it got us safely where we needed to go.

Our Sailing Itinerary

We began our voyage in Tarpon Springs, Florida. After 12 wonderful years of calling this charming little Greek town in Florida our home, we made the bold decision to sell everything we owned, close our business, and move aboard our sailboat to chase a dream across the ocean. From there, we traveled southeast, stopping in Marathon, Florida before battling cold fronts and heavy seas of North Bahamas en route to Bermuda.

From Bermuda, we set off across the North Atlantic toward the Azores. Instead of a planned 1,800 nautical miles, our route extended to 2,600 due to Hurricane Don —but more on that in a future blog.

After reaching the beautiful harbor of Horta in the Azores, we continued on to Portugal and Spain.

We passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and cruised the Spanish coastline before crossing from Calpe to Sicily.

After navigating past Sicily and through the Straits of Messina, we headed east across the Adriatic towards Italy, and crossed east to reach the small European country of Montenegro. Along the way, we experienced the challenges and beauty of open-ocean crossings, 6 different seas, historic straits, and the diverse seascapes of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Refurbishing a Sailboat to Cross an Ocean

Our boat, Envera, is a 1974 Irwin 37 that had previously sunk and was recovered by a friend. Due to the overwhelming amount of work it needed, he passed it on to us in 2019 as a long-term project for our marine canvas and yacht business, Adriatic Lux.

Peck had long dreamed of sailing across the Atlantic. With his vision and determination, we transformed Envera from a broken coastal cruiser into a strong bluewater vessel. Both of us had recently survived serious illnesses—including cancer—and had undergone life-saving surgeries. We saw Envera as our symbol of recovery, strength, and the fearless pursuit of adventure.

Refurbishing a yacht was a painstaking process, and like on ever boat job it took three times longer than we could have possibly imagined, but our hard work paid off with full safety at sea.  

We rebuilt Envera from an empty hull upwards: fibreglass, electrical systems, StaLok rigging, boom, and mast. We even made our solar batteries and filmed the entire process for our YouTube channel, Sailing Envera. We crafted sail covers, new jibs,  cockpit cushions, a V-berth mattress, and installed a stainless steel frame we custom-made for the bimini and dodger. We added reefing points to the mainsail.

Our sailing rule is “Reef as soon as the thought arises- it may be too late if you have to think twice.” 

Our experience as boat canvas makers meant we made the marine canvas and upholstery ourselves. Yacht canvas, especially Bimini and dodger are  essential protection from the raw elements.  Our Isinglass dodger and Sunbrella fabric bimini  weathered us through tempestuous storms and hurricanes. 

Our custom sewn canvas coverings shielded us from wild winds, heavy rain, and constant spray.  We could also relax, sleep and rest in their cool shade, protected from the fierce sun in the precious moments of good weather. Seat cushions proved invaluable, as most of our time was spent on deck, and we had somewhere comfortable to sleep or carry out the watch. 

By spring 2023, Envera was ready for adventure. And so were we! We had sold our home and temporarily closed our business. We moved on board to lay the final touches, and it was time to set forth into the great unknown. 

The First Storm: Tarpon Springs to Marathon

We left Tarpon Springs on May 7, 2023, without a shakedown cruise. We had no autopilot, opting instead for an Aries windvane—which we named “Srba.” At first, it was hard to install and even harder to operate. For the first 1,200 miles, we hand-steered Envera to Bermuda.

Just one day after departure, a storm slammed into us with 70-knot winds. That night, we truly feared for our lives. Every sound raised questions: Would something break? Would we survive?

Bobby, our little Yorkie, got seasick but stayed close to us, trusting we’d keep him safe. His quiet courage inspired us to keep going. We passed our first real test at sea.

We pushed on through daily bad weather and reached Marathon, Florida, proud of Envera’s achievement. We stayed a full month at Boot Key Harbor, a marina with excellent facilities, while waiting for our solar installation to arrive. We found everything we needed nearby – laundrette, grocery stores, chandlers, shops, and restaurants. It was a splendid place to rest and recover from our first encounter with the mighty ocean. But our weather window were everyday smaller and smaller. We start to questioning should we continue or leave it for next year when is the Atlantic crossing season from May to beginning of June. we were already entering June and not even started our crossing or reached Bermuda.

We had a wonderful time in Maraton, made many friends, met other sailors with fascinating sea yarns, and connected with another sailing couple The Adventure locker  planning the same route to Azores. The pair left two weeks before us to avoid hurricane weather. We were still waiting for our solar panels.

Leaving Florida: The Journey Begins

We left Marathon on June 11. Our trusty Garmin chartplotter warned us of another approaching storm, so we anchored at “no name anchorage” near  Miami to wait it out. On June 12, we pushed off again. The shoreline faded behind us. It was such an emotional departure that I wept. Everything familiar disappeared. Ahead of us: the vast Atlantic.

Florida to Bermuda by Boat: 15 Days of Relentless Weather

The leg from Florida to Bermuda by boat was approximately  1,200 nautical miles and took us 15 exhausting days. We battled storm after storm. We were constantly wet, tired, and alert. Every shift blurred into the next. But our relationship deepened through the ordeals, and our ever-growing love for each other held us together. 

The Bermuda Triangle Mystery

Passing through the Bermuda Triangle by night was eerie and mysterious. We lost all navigational signals and our electronics failed, even though our batteries were fully charged. We heard strange whisperings, voices,  and laughter, yet we remained calm and focused. The skies were clear, so we sailed by the stars, following the old ways of traditional sailors. Looking back, the experience was both mystical and magical. We felt that we had slipped out of modern-day reality entirely and moved into a realm of ancient seafaring, a dimension out of this world. 

When the sun rose, our navigation  returned, and we immediately called our families through our StarLink Roam. They showed us our plotted course, but there was a missing path on the map. Strangely, they said they hadn’t heard from us in four days. According to our experience, it had only been one night. 

On June 27, we made landfall in St. George’s, Bermuda, just ahead of Tropical Storm Bret. We had hoped to sail straight to the Azores, but stayed in safe harbour for seven days until Bret had blown by. 

We found Bermuda to be both  stunningly beautiful and incredibly friendly. We visited a marine canvas and upholstery business just like our own,  called Ocean Sails, run by the delightful Steve and Suzanne, who won our hearts instantly. We had so much in common and chatted for hours. 

We ate delicious pizza daily at The Wharf restaurant, owned by fellow Serbians, where we were made to feel at home instantly. 

On our anniversary, we were gifted with a wonderful friendship. But I will talk about that friendship in our Bermuda blog.. A couple we’d met in a marine outfitters in Hamilton., gave us a rid to downtown, took us for breakfast at the renowned Dinghy Club, then gave us a special tour of the island’s beautiful beaches, and treated us to delicious Bermuda Rum Swizzle cocktails. Their spontaneous kindness and generosity amazed us, and it is a joyful reminder of how quickly friendships are made in the sailing community, where everyone is quick to share their enthusiasm and love of travel. 

Bermuda to Azores: Avoiding Hurricane Don

We departed on July 8, with Horta in the Azores as our goal – roughly 1,800 nautical miles away. But when Hurricane Don formed, we were forced to sail southeast for safety. The detour stretched the trip to an incredible 2,600 miles over 26 days. 

Divine Intervention in a Storm at Sea

One storm lasted three full days, and we despaired of escape, but our faith held steady. A miraculous corridor opened between low and high pressure systems, and we escaped the worst. It felt like the divine stepped in and cleared the way for us. 

For nearly a month, we were alone with the furious winds and the sky.  It was a test of our endurance. Bobby finally got his sea legs and began enjoying life as a dog sailing. I walked him from his comfy cushion under the cockpit to the side rails on a leash, always the starboard side, no matter how Envera keeled – his choice. He barked to let me know when he needed to go! He became strong and muscled, ripped like a true sailor on the voyage. 

The Doldrums and Sudden Stillness

Even with all the challenges, there were magical moments. One morning, mid-Atlantic, I stepped outside to a vast, silent desert. The ocean was like glass—still, endless, surreal. We had entered the doldrums. I took photos that looked like paintings of a peaceful lake. But after a day, the stillness grew heavy. We spent three days stuck, losing precious time. Still in the hurricane belt, we had no choice but to motor hard to escape the danger.

I had prepared canned food, working on storing provisions for a full six months before we left. I made up 50 jars of canned meat following The Boat Galley cookbook, and prepper and canning channels on YouTube. It was a source of inspiration, where not much else was to be found online. Another book, Storing Food without Refrigeration, became my Bible. At sea, with our small fridge and cooler, we didn’t have enough space to keep much food cold and preserved.

I baked bread every few days and made tasty snacks and desserts, which kept our energy up. We ate well, and in the few moments we had to rest, I enjoyed my Kindle, on which I had downloaded some great books. There was seldom time to read; we were kept too busy weathering storms and hurricane weather. 

On August 2, land appeared: Faial at last!

Marina da Horta: Landfall in the Azores

Arriving at Marina da Horta felt like stepping into another world, with its green rolling landscape, volcanic peaks, and towering cliffs. Bobby hadn’t been ashore since Florida. Bermuda’s regulations kept him onboard. When his paws hit solid ground in the Azores, he was ecstatic. We caught his adorable grin on camera – and yes, he did smile. He was the hero who brightened our days, even amidst the toughest times. 

We spent ten days resting and soaking in the peace we’d earned. It was Peck’s favorite port of call – a true landmark for those who had achieved the awesome milestone of a full Atlantic crossing by sailboat. Peters Cafe Sports, the historic meeting place for nautical voyagers, we mingled with adventurers from around the globe.

We were privileged to meet the Skeleton Crew from the Ocean Globe Race, who were a super cool team, preparing for the race. They became good friends who we’ve stayed in touch with. We heard that their boom broke during the race, causing them to have to drop out,  and we thanked our lucky stars that we had replaced Envera’s boom while refurbishing her thoroughly. 

Mainland Portugal: Avoiding Orcas

From Faial, we journeyed 1,200 nautical miles, fast and furiously in just ten days,  to Seagras, Portugal. It wasn’t our original plan, but stories of orcas attacking yachts deterred us. They are known to break rudders and cause massive destruction, and we were determined not to encounter them. 

We we reluctant to sail by night, as they appear silently and unannounced, so we hugged the coast and anchored in waters at 20 meters where we would be safe. Orcas are seldom spotted in shallower waters.  

Portugal welcomed us with fresh produce, warm marinas, and the grounding comfort of land. But soon, we felt the call to keep moving.

Sailing Through Gibraltar

On August 22, we left Portugal, sailing for seven days. We passed the Strait of Gibraltar on August 29 – a milestone every sailor feels. With strong currents and dense traffic, it was intense. But crossing into the Mediterranean felt like stepping into a new chapter.

The Final Push: Gibraltar to Montenegro

We stayed for five days at Alcadaesa Marina at La Linea in Spain,  and received our 150% genoa from Southeast Asia Sail, specially ordered for the light winds that we were about to encounter. We set sail into the Mediterranean Sea from Gibraltar on the 3rd of September 2023. 

Our mildest leg: 1,800 nautical miles over one month, was across the Mediterranean. We followed Spain’s golden coast, anchoring in shallow waters at night, to Calp, sailing only by day, as the threat of orcas still loomed.