Azores

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BrianBlake

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New Year, new challenge! I'm planing to sail to the Azores from Plymouth - probably in May/June if any one has been, any advice would be gratefully received. I have a Westerly 38'Ocean Ranger.

Thanks Brian
 
do a search through the forums, there is a small group of forumites who plan a trip to Azores this year, may be you can hook up with them.

BTW, welcome to the forums.
 
My advice is 'go somewhere else'.

Very friendly people but scenery is nothing special; rather like a very poor man's Ireland. Marina at Horta is worth visiting for the feeling of tradition, Delgada is a good marina but the town is like any other busy town in Europe. Other islands have anchorages that vary from 'open' to 'reasonably protected by a large breakwater'.

Once there, you could have a long wait for favourable winds for the first part of the voyage home or else have to motor for a couple of days; it depends on the position of the Azores high.

It's a long way to sail for a disappointingly small return. It killed my wife's (admittedly marginal) interest in sailing.
 
I'm sorry Sadlermike's experience was disappointing. I found the Azores scenery stunning and the people even friendlier than Ireland (and that says something). True there are only 3 marinas and few anchorages but there other harbours. I can email you an account of my cruise to the Azores and back in 2002, and can loan you charts,etc. if you care to PM me. If you are in Plymouth perhaps we can meet to discuss.
 
Came back last year from Canaries via Azores. I too thought it was stunning.

Only did Horta and Angro de Heroisma (new marina there not on my charts, but vague outline (correct) on my C-chart). Very colonial Spanish. Plenty of wildlife and several whale watching operations, fascinating.

San Jorge worth a visit I'm told, 15 yrs behind Horta, no marina. Cheeses are superb and wines interesting and typically inexpensive. Great community of sailors!

Get a cab and do a tour of Faial (Horta) island. €40 for 5hrs, english speaking cabbie. See the lighthouse half buried by volcanic ash. Peter's Cafe Sport very atmospheric although some consider it passe'.

I'm told Flores out of this world, poor anchorages. it is a long way west probably best visited on eatsward transat.

I sailed from Angro to Crosshaven, 10 days including only 24 hours motoring into Ireland, heading north and then turning north east. Slowed down when weatherfax showed what turned out to be tail end of hurricane Alex ahead. However I was able to wait to pick my weather window.

I will certainly visit again if opportunity arises.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Thanks for the offer I,d like to see your notes etc,and meet up in the future,but as I'm new to this i dont know how to PM you.Thanks Brian.
 
There's bright sunshine outside, my cetral heating is turned up too high then I read the account of your Azores voyage and it almost felt like summer!
 
Hey that's sad! I was in the Azores the year before last on the way back from the WI's, and thought the islands superb. Lovely people, interesting sights and wonderful scenery. Will definitely be spending more time there on our next trip.

Cheers Jerry
 
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