Crossing the Atlantic East to West

[Regardless]

Hi everybody,
I'm planning a single-handed Atlantic crossing with an intended route Azores to Bermuda. However, I'm being told that no one would go from the Azores as this would involve crossing the Horse Latitudes where there is no wind (Personally, I thought that was the Doldrums).
I always understood that Azores to Bermuda was an established route. Can anybody give me any further insight into this, or tell me where I can find more information? I'm really not interested in going to Cape Verde or the Caribbean. Also, I'm not worried about how long it takes (as long as I don't run out of beer) or what time of year I have to set off.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Regards,
Regardless

 

[lumphammer]

The last but one Jester Challenge to Newport RI in 2010 had several boats doing the southern route via or close to the Azores. You have further to go and the risk of light winds depending on the position/size of the Azores high, but it is considered the more comfortable route.

FWIW the Jester generally leaves end of May. One or two of the sailors were concerned that the Azores route was taking so long that they might be getting into the beginning of the hurricane season.

Try asking on the Jester forum for competitors experiences.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya.
All you need to know is in World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell.

Route AN137 Azores to Bermuda recommends best time to depart June to July (accepting slight risk of early tropical revolving storm). Westerly winds may well be encountered to begin, advice is to sail a lot of south to get on or below lat of Bermuda. Theres a few other details there to assisst.

Im more used to coming back around then....leaving WI as late as possible, weather can be lovely but take as much diesel as you can!

Enjoy Rum Swizzles when you get there!

Hope this helps, CS

 

[KellysEye]

Geting to the Azores is fine but Azores to Bermuda is not an established route because: if the Azores high is in it's normal place you will be motoring most of the way. Calculate how many fuel containers you think you will need and add a few more. Personally I wouldn't do it but if you like motoring...

 

[macd]

Bermuda to Azores last June was 'orrible since the Azores high had not even begun to establish: sustained winds in the high forties, gusting low sixties, low after low coming through (the deepest 969mb). No-one I spoke with was at all keen to do it again. But at least the winds were mainly from astern. As for doing it in the opposite direction, as the OP proposes...no thanks. It's not a popular route for very good reasons: you either motor a lot, get hammered, or both.

 

[rivonia]

Hiya.
All you need to know is in World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell.

Route AN137 Azores to Bermuda recommends best time to depart June to July (accepting slight risk of early tropical revolving storm). Westerly winds may well be encountered to begin, advice is to sail a lot of south to get on or below lat of Bermuda. Theres a few other details there to assisst.


I would not recomend leaving that late. As tropical storms are getting earlier in the season. Latest time to go the route that you want to take Is MAY.




Im more used to coming back around then....leaving WI as late as possible, weather can be lovely but take as much diesel as you can!

Agree with that buy a few 25 Lt jerry cans and fill them up as from the azores you will be doing quite a bit of motoring (take adequate spares as well)

Enjoy Rum Swizzles when you get there!

Hope this helps, CS

All the very best

Peter

 

[capnsensible]

Hi everybody,
I'm planning a single-handed Atlantic crossing with an intended route Azores to Bermuda. However, I'm being told that no one would go from the Azores as this would involve crossing the Horse Latitudes where there is no wind (Personally, I thought that was the Doldrums).
I always understood that Azores to Bermuda was an established route. Can anybody give me any further insight into this, or tell me where I can find more information? I'm really not interested in going to Cape Verde or the Caribbean. Also, I'm not worried about how long it takes (as long as I don't run out of beer) or what time of year I have to set off.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Regards,
Regardless

Well there you go! Kind of as expected, opinions will differ but should you choose to take the advice of the worlds foremost expert on yacht cruising around the planet combined with extensive research and masses of first hand knowledge is up to you....

It would be the long established route AN137 for me and all its sage advice.