webcraft
Well-Known Member
We are hoping to do this in April/May. Have any forumites any experience of this 'uphill' passage?
- Nick
- Nick
Madeira to the Azores
- Thread starter webcraft
- Start date
Bejasus
Well-Known Member
thought you were in the Caribbean? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
oops just caught up. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
and someone's gorn and changed this smiley /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
oops just caught up. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
and someone's gorn and changed this smiley /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
philmarks
Well-Known Member
Did Canaries to Azores June 2005. Uphill - not for us? Mostly NE 4/5, reached, then 30hrs motoring at the end into Horta. Toughest part was the beat around the NE corner of Tenerife from Sta Cruz. Whole triptook 5 days in total to Horta (the first 12 hrs of which was the beat into NE6/7, and my boat doesn't beat too well...). I will go south about Tenerife (or Gran Canaria) next time. Well worth it. I took this as first leg of trip back to UK, next leg was Azores to Crosshaven. Much more interesting than flogging up the Portuguese coast. Of course, Sao Miguel is much nearer, to Madeira. If you can, visit Terceira - there is a good new marina there. I think Madeira to Azores will give a slightly more favourable wind angle, on average. I guess though that the winds may be less favourable in April, with a higher probability of westerly weather. In fact, visual passage planner shows 29% beating in 15.6kt and 71% tight reaching at 14kts windspeed. I think I'd go a bit later myself when Portuguese trades have kicked in, although %'s are the same for June with 4-5 kts less wind...Ah - July figures show 100% tight reaching at 11kt wind, that's better.I didn't have Visual Passage Planner when I went in 2004, guess I was lucky!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Quote from Jimmy Cornell-
'Best time May to August
During summer, when the Portuguese trades reach as far south as Madeira this will be a close-hauled passage although the Azores can usually be reached on one tack.'
OTOH if travelling in April/May the trades won't have got going.
My choice would be to arrive in June when the islands look their best.
'Best time May to August
During summer, when the Portuguese trades reach as far south as Madeira this will be a close-hauled passage although the Azores can usually be reached on one tack.'
OTOH if travelling in April/May the trades won't have got going.
My choice would be to arrive in June when the islands look their best.
chrisb
Well-Known Member
tend to be crowded may/june with transatlantic boats.both arc europe and azab arrive ponta delgada approx june 12.
should be reasonable crossing depending on position of azores high.in 2006 it was noerth over uk and azores had gales late may early june.dont miss angra carnival.may see you there.chris
should be reasonable crossing depending on position of azores high.in 2006 it was noerth over uk and azores had gales late may early june.dont miss angra carnival.may see you there.chris
webcraft
Well-Known Member
Thanks Snowleopard, Phlim and Chris
Vague plan is to get to Graciosa for a good angle to Madeira or Porto Santo, then from Porto Santo wait for a good forecast (NE or E for at least three days) before heading off. If we end up going too far W into the Azores high we will be carrying enough fuel to motor N for two or three days.
Re. the Azores being crowded in June - we will just dodge around the different islands avoiding the crowds . . . there seem to be plenty of places to go, although we must visit Horta. If we can get up there mid-May so much the better.
Plans, eh? Bet it's nothing like that when it happens. At least now I know at least a couple of other boats have done it . . . there must be more though, surely. The Canaries is a great place to spend the Winter, much better than the Algarve, for instance, because you can sail most days and there are lots of islands to go to - and the Azores is the logical way back IMHO
- Nick
Vague plan is to get to Graciosa for a good angle to Madeira or Porto Santo, then from Porto Santo wait for a good forecast (NE or E for at least three days) before heading off. If we end up going too far W into the Azores high we will be carrying enough fuel to motor N for two or three days.
Re. the Azores being crowded in June - we will just dodge around the different islands avoiding the crowds . . . there seem to be plenty of places to go, although we must visit Horta. If we can get up there mid-May so much the better.
Plans, eh? Bet it's nothing like that when it happens. At least now I know at least a couple of other boats have done it . . . there must be more though, surely. The Canaries is a great place to spend the Winter, much better than the Algarve, for instance, because you can sail most days and there are lots of islands to go to - and the Azores is the logical way back IMHO
- Nick
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry that you won't be crossing the pond to visit us, but I can see all the very valid points you made re going home via the Azores rather than the Windies - and to do an Atlantic circuit in less than a year is pushing it rather. Much better to allow some more time, next time, and have a more leisurely potter down from Europe, and in the Caribbean.
But I hope that Webcraft will find her way out to the Windies one day, and that she will make Barbados her first port of call when she does arrive in the New World!
Fair winds, and fine sailing on your voyage home!
But I hope that Webcraft will find her way out to the Windies one day, and that she will make Barbados her first port of call when she does arrive in the New World!
Fair winds, and fine sailing on your voyage home!
Bejasus
Well-Known Member
Ooh, might see you in Horta mid to late May on our way across from Georgia.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
That'll be Georgia USA I presume. Where are you heading for?
- Nick
- Nick
Bejasus
Well-Known Member
hi Nick, the boat is currently in Mississippi where we bought her. Moving to St. Petersburg in Florida in a couple of weeks to get new covers made and if enough time left before returning to work, then we will move round to Savannah and then leave in early May to come across via Horta on the way to Mallorca for the summer.
