Atlantic crossing?

[Fairbs]

Need to sail 60ft stell ketch back to W.Coast Sctland from Antigua departing mid December. This will be first crossing and realise that the timing may not be as good as it should be. Could someone advise me as to best route to take, what to expect and any other nice little titbits?

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[alant]

wait until May

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[Fairbs]

Wish I could, but have to get vessel up to charter standards (coding) for April start of 2004 season in UK W.Coast waters.

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[Fairbs]

Wish I could, but have to get vessel up to charter standards (coding) for April start of 2004 season in UK W.Coast waters.

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[webcraft]

This is my best guess with a little help from World Cruising Routes:

Antigua to Azores: 2170 nm

Winds likely to be variable . . . no guarantees, a late hurricane is even possible.

Carry plenty of diesel and be prepared to motor. Allow 4 weeks. It will probably be quicker than going via Bermuda.

Azores - Scotland

1500nm (approx)

Course due N, weather - SW - NW, frequent gales, cold, grey, very wet

Allow 3 weeks

Total 7 weeks minimum assuming no stopover in Horta, mostly horrible . . . do you really want to do this?

Have you got a competent and very well prepared crew?

- N

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[Fairbs]

Thanks for that - especially the website. Lots of good info. Have experienced crew providing I can prise them out of English Bay! Sounds like it will be a long trip and the last leg North could be very exciting!

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[johnsomerhausen]

send an e-mail to Herb Hilgenberg (Soputhbound II) at hehilgen@sympatico.ca asking for his advice on the best route and then stay in contact with him daily on 12.359 at 20.00 GMT (checking in between 19.30 and 20.00) Herb is tops and has advised me on my crossing to Europe and back via to the US the Caribbean in 98. Just tell him that John of Pampero IV recoomended it
john

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[Jeremy_W]

Everybody raves about Herb - he's a Transatlantic institution!

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[john_morris_uk]

Add one more vote for Herb however you won't get a 'Hurricane' after end of November in the first tropical/subtropical part of your trip as the sea temperature is not warm enough. But you will get the possibility of lots of gales or strong winds for the last bit! On the other hand who cares what you call the wind - its still makes it rough.

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[webcraft]

December hurricane

3 hurricanes have been officially recorded during the month of December since 1886. That's not a lot, but it is some . . . and late hurricanes are getting more common thanks to global warming and associated rising sea temperatures.

- N



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[Fairbs]

Contacted Herb, very prompt reply and we are still talking - thanks

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[beneteau_305_553]

I went from english harbour to Simpson Bay St Martin to get provisions, fuel and parts for the boat. There are also good boatyards there, much cheaper than Antigua and currency is euros. see Budget marine simpson bay web site
The lagoon is well sheltered but a few yachts ended up on the airport runway after a gale a few years ago, so anchor up well!
I then went to Bermuda before going to the azores and had much easier winds that the boats that went to the azores direct. It didn't add any extra time and made the voyage more interesting.
See an earlier post about getting duty free fuel in Bermuda.

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