Caribbean to Bermuda in April ??

[dunedin]

What is the crossing from Caribbean to Bermuda like, possibly in April?

Generally easy ARC style sailing, or getting more Atlantic serious?
(Clearly would depend on conditions on the day, but what’s the general view.)

 

[capnsensible]

Probably ok. Its when you go further east it gets bumpy at that time of year. Did Antigua to Azores last April. Was ok up to around Bermuda bit pants after.
Enjoy!

 

[Bobc]

Later is better

 

[Jonny A]

I did Antigua to the Azores once leaving in early May. After the first few days it was lumpy the whole way, but we made very good mileage!

 

[dunedin]

Thanks all. Doesn't sound like the skipper has flexibility to make later than early April.

 

[geem]

Thanks all. Doesn't sound like the skipper has flexibility to make later than early April.

Early April goes again the recognised advice to not leave before May. I guess its pot luck but you would be more likely to get poor weather.

 

[Roberto]

Thanks all. Doesn't sound like the skipper has flexibility to make later than early April.

Possibly a case of a boat in need to be ready for the summer Mediterranean season?
Anyway, not a route I would decide to follow in April, with departure/arrival date constraints defined in March. It can surely be done, when it happens it can t, there are a number of horror stories.

 

[dunedin]

Possibly a case of a boat in need to be ready for the summer Mediterranean season?
Anyway, not a route I would decide to follow in April, with departure/arrival date constraints defined in March. It can surely be done, when it happens it can t, there are a number of horror stories.

Crossing done in 5 1/2 easy days in early April - 2 days broad reaching with SE winds, 36 hours motoring in calm, 2 days broad reaching in SW - and 2 hours intense rain squall when approaching Bermuda.
So now that safely done it, what are the horror stories about doing this route in April? Seemed to be quite a few others doing it then, including the Rubicon fleet and a young French family in a stock Bavaria 36.

Just May would seem a very narrow window - as risk being delayed and into hurricane season.

 

[GHA]

what are the horror stories about doing this route in April?

Haven't heard any, suspect the horror stories are for an early Atlantic crossing, not Bermuda.

Satellite pilot charts available here >
http://cioss.coas.oregonstate.edu/cogow/

Ocean passages & Landfalls says March to May, World cruising routes says April , more chance of a norther before midApril.

 

[Roberto]

Crossing done in 5 1/2 easy days in early April - 2 days broad reaching with SE winds, 36 hours motoring in calm, 2 days broad reaching in SW - and 2 hours intense rain squall when approaching Bermuda.
So now that safely done it, what are the horror stories about doing this route in April? Seemed to be quite a few others doing it then, including the Rubicon fleet and a young French family in a stock Bavaria 36.

Just May would seem a very narrow window - as risk being delayed and into hurricane season.

Hello,
good to know everythjing went well
It s about statistics: climate is what you expect, weather is what you get. An acquaintance made the crossing Carib/Europe in January and had average strength winds, IMHO that is playing with luck, I think no one in his right mind would say "it s ok to cross the north atlantic in january".

Anyway, Bermuda area: possibly the most famous was "Sean seamour III" sinking, google gives the story and a lot of references (and the USCG rescue account), early may 2007
this was the synoptic one day


this one the following day, fast cyclogenesis, hurricane force winds reported


2012 I was crossing mid May while in radio contact with a friend who was stuck for days at anchor in Bermuda by low after low.

Early May 15, I was down south (US) waiting to leave for my crossing, this was to the north


A few days later another low, early tropical storm, possibly more difficult to forecast than the above (extratropical low)

Received this bulletin via radio
ANZ835-090230-
CAPE FEAR TO 31N TO 1000 FM-
1135 PM EDT THU MAY 7 2015
..TROPICAL STORM WARNING...
TONIGHT...N TO NE WINDS 35 TO 45 KT. SEAS 9 TO 15 FT. SHOWERS
AND ISOLATED TSTMS.
FRI...N TO NE WINDS 35 TO 45 KT. SEAS 8 TO 14 FT. SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED TSTMS.
FRI NIGHT...N TO NE WINDS 35 TO 45 KT...BECOMING E TO SE 30 TO
40 KT. SEAS 9 TO 15 FT. SHOWERS AND ISOLATED TSTMS.
SAT...E TO SE WINDS 30 TO 40 KT. SEAS 8 TO 14 FT. SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED TSTMS.
SAT NIGHT...S TO SE WINDS 25 TO 35 KT...DIMINISHING TO 20 TO
30 KT. SEAS 8 TO 14 FT.
SUN...S WINDS 20 TO 30 KT. SEAS 6 TO 11 FT.
SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 20 TO 30 KT. SEAS 6 TO 10 FT.

So yes, it can get bad; one can also sail comfortably, but you know that once you have arrived

 

[Ashman]

Arrived in Bermuda on Saturday from Nassau, it took 7 days mainly close hauled and a couple of days motor sailing when the wind dropped below 10 knots. The wind increased to around 20knots as we approached Bermuda and conveniently veered making the last 100nm pass very quickly.
There’s also been a few boats arriving from the Eastern Caribbean.
One 35 footer is heading out tomorrow for the Azores but that feels a little early for us but we will watch to see how they get on.