Boat prep for atlantic crossing ?

[snowleopard]

You might as well say why go anywhere? Why not just join the Vendee and sail all round the world without visiting anywhere!!

Re the question of stopping in the Azores - yes, it can be done but you lose the benefit of the trade winds so it becomes a longer and more difficult passage. If you are planning to come back to the UK the Azores fit into the return passage much better.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Given that the OP's objective is to spend time in the Carib, why NOT sail directly there, rather than burgering around off the African coast? Unless, that is, the Eastern Atlantic Islands are a necessity for restocking vittels, fuel and water.

 

[snowleopard]

In terms of avoiding bad weather you need to be out of UK waters before the end of August but shouldn't arrive in the Caribbean before 1 Dec. If you don't stop, how do you spin out the passage to 3 months? You could of course do a Crowhurst and potter about in mid ocean for a while.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Go early and head for Southern Carib during hurri season.

 

[snowleopard]

Hurricanes tend to originate off the African coast and while they may be quite mild to start with I wouldn't want to cross the path of one.

 

[Paulka]

I am just back from ARC 2008 - as a crew on a Moody 52.
The boat has all the gimmiks, and here is my - very personnal appreciation of what I consider indispensable :

1.- Autopilot AND windpilot (Hydrovane, Sailomat, Aries etc) with lots of spare parts,
2.- Watermaker,
3.- Fridge AND freezer,
4.- Radar (very usefull to identify and follow the progression of the squalls),
5.- Iridium phone for E-mail, GRIB etc.,
6.- 3 or even 4 GPS's, at least one hand held, and on independant batteries,
7.- DSC and HH VHF,
8.- consequence of the above : generation system(s). We had powerfull alternators on the engines, and a diesel generator. In my opinion this is the most reasonnable solution, although a trailed generator could be O.K. Wind generators are noisy, not really reliable, and inefficent downwind, no experience of solar panels.
9.- Sextant and tables, as back-up to GPS or in case of electrical failure (lightning),
10.- Fishing gear as back-up for the freezer ;-)
11.- Up dated charts, (beware of the electronic charts which may be far out of date!),
12.- Recent pilots,
Last but not least : several pairs of eyeballs.

Funny but not very usefull gadgets :

- AIS,
- Plotter and/or navigation software,
- SSB, amateur band radio.

This is my personal view, and I expect to be fired on some - or all - points expressed.
Never mind.

Cheers.

Paul

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Thinking of changing the plan slightly and using my other boat a bene 411 thats in croatia
Primarily because it would not be a prob to sail it in sept to the canaries from greece where I will be spending the summer
Def want to do the trade wind route
This boat has
Radar,chute,solar panels ,bimini,life raft but no storm jib
Its 1999 model so I guess I would have to do the rigging
Will this be absolutly necessary ? Rigging that is
Another benefit would be its vat status as its not paid which wouldnt be a prob in carib

 

[snowleopard]

I can't lay down the law on rigging - I haven't got any /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It's really down to your insurer - ask them and if they say you don't need to renew, get it in writing.

If you don't have storm canvas you would probably get away with it but why not get a second hand jib from Seateach or similar. It can get pretty draughty on the trade wind route. For us it hit 35 knots for several hours.

 

[cpthook]

If you go for ssb get a transceiver. You can then send as well as receive. The price difference is negligible. The 706 are nice and small but you'd also be good with a number of sets including the ft-840 and ruggedised/water resistant models. Most amateur sets can be and are "widebanded" which allows them to transmit and receive on any frequency from a few hundred Khz through 30MHz. So all HF marine bands are therefore covered, as well as amateur bands too.

Dude

 

[alant]

If you go for ssb get a transceiver. You can then send as well as receive.
========================================

And check that it all works before you leave the dock, eh Steve! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[mixmaster]

Also worth mentioning that the cost of an SSB is often overstated.
The Yachting Monthly ARC comms article is just plain wrong on prices and capability.
Just bough a M710 for £800 with tuner. Plan to do installation myself. Will either pay someone to install Dynaplate or will connect to keel myself.