That's what lies ahead for Alex (32) and his yacht Fujifilm in the 3,000-mile Artemis Transat race from Plymouth to Boston, USA.
The Transat is considered to be "the Everest of ocean racing," pitting solo skippers against the elements and the ferocious conditions of the Atlantic.
Alex, whose grandparents live in Whitby, will line up at the start in Plymouth on Sunday to take on some of the world's top yachtsmen and women for what is regarded as the toughest, single-handed, trans-Atlantic race.
Conditions will be harsh on board as competitors overcome freezing conditions and sleep deprivation with just a few freeze dried rations and the odd chocolate bar for sustenance.
Sailing solo means the men and women at the helm can expect to snatch just the odd half hour nap as they race to the finish 3,000 miles away in Boston.
Alex has more than 100,000 ocean racing miles under his belt but his sailing ambitions began locally.
The former Fyling Hall School pupil and Whitby Yacht Club dinghy captain started his career competing in the local regattas at the age of 10.
He then set up a youth challenge team to compete in the numerous sailing regattas along the north east coast from Whitby to Sunderland before turning professional at the age of 19.
After finishing 5th out of an 80 strong fleet in the 1999 Mini Trans-Atlantic Race, achieving the best British result in the race's 20-year history, Alex was awarded a Lifetime Honorary Membership Status by Whitby Yacht Club.
This will be the first time Alex has entered the historic Artemis Transat race.
He first tackled the Atlantic Ocean on his own at the age of 22, but this race will be a challenge like no other.
You can follow his progress here