Pixel on the Water: From Struga to the Atlantic

After 18 Months Building — Finally on the Water

After a year and a half of building, we’re finally on the water. As the big day gets closer, the excitement only grows stronger — but first things first.

The immediate goal is a 400 nm qualification sail. That will be the real test for the boat, the equipment, and myself. The plan is to launch from Albania and sail around the Adriatic Sea. I’ll decide the exact route at the last minute, but most likely I’ll head towards Italy, then loop back to Albania, passing along the coasts of Croatia and Montenegro.

Once the qualification is done, the boat will stay in Albania until it’s picked up by trailer and transported overland to Portugal — or I might drive her back to Struga, depending on how the timing works out. It’s a long road trip, but still the fastest and most affordable way to reach the starting line.

On the boat front: I’ve named her Pixel. She’s tiny, strong, safe — just a drop in the ocean. All the equipment is according to race rules, with a few small tweaks, like moving the solar panels for better efficiency and customizing storage under the bunks. My MMSI and call sign are now active, and I’m waiting for final confirmation on my Ocean Signal EPIRB1. I also activated the Garmin InReach Mini2, not only as backup GPS but also as a satellite communicator — so I can share updates and stay in touch with shore if something urgent happens.

One piece of gear that really fascinated me is the windvane. It’s a simple mechanical self-steering system, but I had zero experience with it before. Fine-tuning it was tricky, but thanks to some priceless advice from Jurand (last edition’s SAC winner), I managed to get it working. Right now I’m still testing it, learning what errors show up and how to solve them.

Another thing that caught a lot of attention was the painting on the hull. For me, it’s not just decoration — it’s about giving the boat a soul.

Adding Soul to the Hull

Every brushstroke on this boat carries a piece of my journey: where I come from, what shaped me, and where I’m heading.

Port Side – The Beginning

This side is about my roots — Struga, my hometown on the shores of Lake Ohrid.

Two portraits, inspired by Pink Floyd’s Division Bell, symbolize the timeless inner battle: you vs you.
The eels — a species unique to Lake Ohrid. They take on an incredible journey: leaving the lake, crossing rivers and the Atlantic to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. After spawning, the parents die, but the offspring return to Lake Ohrid. A cycle of life and instinct that has lasted for millennia.
The hands pulling a rope — simple but powerful. They hold the tension between tradition and ambition, land and sea, safety and risk. They remind me that effort and direction are always connected.
Blooming opium poppies — a nod to one of Macedonia’s traditional crops.
The Macedonian sun shines above it all, taken from our national flag.
The blue eye — painted on the hull, it’s both a self-portrait and a talisman. In Balkan and Mediterranean culture, the “evil eye” is a symbol of protection, keeping away bad energy. For me, it’s also about keeping focus inward, where strength really comes from.
The reeds along the lake shore — they protect the ecosystem and are home to many species, including the Snegar, a bird native to Struga.
The mountains — twin peaks for Mount Jablanica, my refuge in nature and one of my favorite places when I want to connect with nature.
The hand — a working hand. This is for my sailing club Snegar in Struga, where we don’t just sail, we also build boats. Knowledge is passed from generation to generation, and this hand represents the spirit that started it all.

Together, these images tell a story: the eel slipping through the reeds, the sun rising behind the mountains, and the little Snegar bird learning to fly farther than ever before.

Starboard Side – The Dream

This side is about the journey ahead: building a 5-meter sailboat and crossing the Atlantic solo in the Setka Atlantic Challenge 2025.

The hand with a compass — navigation. In this race, there are no screens or GPS charts — only a compass to guide the way.
The sun and moon above the waves — symbols of celestial navigation and of surfing the trade winds.
The map — marking where I start and where I’m heading.
The Snegar bird returns, now not a beginner, but a seasoned sailor — coming back home to where it all began.
The house and oak tree — my family farm, where I was raised. Parts of this boat are built from oak planted by my grandfather. His legacy is now built into every voyage I take.

Coming from a small inland city with no sea, building a boat and preparing to cross the Atlantic solo probably sounds insane. Maybe it is. But every brushstroke, every bolt, every hour in the workshop carried me here.

Pixel is not just a boat — she’s a story, a dream, and a piece of home that will sail across the ocean with me.