Atlantic crossing - routing question.

Koeketiene

Koeketiene

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Sep 2003
Messages
18,433
Location
Le Roussillon (South of France)
www.sailblogs.com
I have just received word that my application for a job in the States (D.C.) will most likely get the nod.
I would be over there for 5 years, so I would like to get the boat over there.

When: leave as from early May 09 - arrive no later than mid August 09.
From Falmouth area to Chesepeake area - non-stop?
I would have about 5 weeks in which to complete the trip.

Which way? North - like the OSTAR, or south? How far south would I need to go?
How and where is the Azores High that time of year?

Additional consideration: I will most likely be singlehanded (shorthanded if I'm lucky). So, a fine balance - quick, but yet comfortable crossing.
 
Try Petit Bateau for loads of first hand advice etc about crossing the Atlantic shorthanded by the more northerly routes.

If you go to Washington, you must visit the Capital Yacht Club. Very friendly and convivial port of call.
 
We crossed in May 07 from New York to Portsmouth via the Azores. I think the currents/winds are not too favourable for the West to East route but if you go North it may be OK. I will consult my log and charts! The Azores high will be north-ish so normally calm conditions - allthough we did have F9 around 2nd June! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
If you are going during May/June/July 2009 you will have the company of OSTAR yachts on the northerly route.

If you use the southern route you will have to go a fair way south before the NE trades will assist and you.

More importantly, you will also end up on the other side of the Atlantic at the start of or right in the middle of the main hurricane season during which you might find it very risky trying to go north to Chesapeake even if you used the ICW north along the eastern seaboard of the USA.

During this year, 2008, it might be prudent to study barometric charts of the North Atlantic and note the position of the Azores high on a day by day basis:

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=natlantic

Wish I was going with you.
 
I know, not too overly keen.
But a man's got to do, etc...

Looked into putting her on a ship (delivery either Ft Lauderdale or Newport) - cost somewhat prohibitive.

According to Jimmy Cornell, that time of year the northerly route would be the way to go. All to windward - ho hum.
Toying with the idea of actually doing the OSTAR, just not keen to be stuck to a fixed date. I have a 4 month window, so I want to go when I'm ready - not because I have to meet some arbitrary date.
 
Ah, but you do have an arbitrary date old chap, 1st June the hurricane season. I have to agree with TCM on this. They also get clobbered by hurricanes in Chesapeake. If you do go it would really have to be the Northern route. I don't know what size boat we're talking about here or what sort of windward ability, but carry lots of fuel!
 
Have managed to lay my hands on Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Routes.

Northern Route - Best time June-August
Prevailing winds - Westerlies.
Added disadvantage - sailing against the Gulf Stream

Southerly Route - 'Best' Time June-August (Tropical Storms June-November)

Route AN12B (via the Azores) is the fair weather alternative. Longer than other routes, but advantage of warmer weather and mid-Atlantic stop.
From the Azores westward, stay south of 37°N to avoid southern limit of the Gulf Stream and possibly the Azores High. Prevailing winds: S or SW.
Tropical storms after the middle of June. Risk of hurricanes increasing as Summer progresses.

Based on this - tentative plan:
UK-Azores - early May (10-12 days tops)
Break - wait for halfway decent forecast
Azores - US - aim to arrive NLT mid-June. (assuming 16-18 day crossing)

But then again - no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.
 
You ought to investigate the latest rules from homeland security/coastguard about having to notify the authorities every time you move your UK registered boat even a short distance in the US. I do agree, get settled over there and consider purchasing/chartering a US yacht when you want to sail.
 
Thanks for your input.

Selling the boat I love just when the market's going south makes no sense at all. I've spent (and continue to spend) lots of time and money getting her up to scratch and am in no mood to start over. I'd sooner sell the wife than the boat.

I'm not overly concerned about Homeland Security. I would not be there as a private citizen, but would 'enjoy' diplomatic immunity.
I've been told, certain leeway would be granted, though the very nice lady at homeland security I spoke to said our case was a new one for her as well.

Visa: that would sort itself out /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm not emotionally attached to the Red Ensign, so if all else fails, I'll just incorporate her in Delaware - US registered vessel. End of agro.
Should I eventually return, VAT's not an issue as she would be way to old. Equally RCD.
 
I did an East to West crossing in April - June 2006. Watch the forecast for the mid-Atlantic high and adjust accordingly. It was a great trip and I would do it again.

You will want to watch the hurricane forecasts, but they don't exactly sneak up on you.

I'd recommend some means for weather fax -- Navtex isn't good for much over here.

There are only a couple of places to keep your boat in DC, and the sailing is poor. It is an hour drive to Annapolis but the sailing is excellent on the Chesapeake. You might also want to consider Deale MD.

I'm currently in Annapolis, MD. If I can help or pass information along I would be pleased to do so.

sail fast, dave
S/V Auspicious
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

geem
Atlantic crossing 2025
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
geem
geem

Share this page

Top