Not the typical route across the Atlantic

[Halcyon Yachts]

We are just back from a trans-Atlantic yacht delivery from the Caribbean to the Med. Here is a chart showing our route.



Notice that we had to divert from the typical stop in the Azores. There was an extensive storm system so we went south to Madeira. The first time we've used Madeira as a stopping-off point for this route... Have you ever crossed on an eastbound trans-Atlantic and stopped in Madeira? We had excellent sailing almost the whole way.

We hugged the coast around Morocco and stopped for cheap fuel in Ceuta. Happy to say that we didn't see any orcas!

Pete

 

[Seven Spades]

You were lucky not to have been hit by Orcas as you approached Gib from offshore. The recommended route is to head for Cadiz and then hug the coast the orcas have been very aggressive in may and June in Barbate Bay this year. No one who has hugged the shore has been attacked.

I like your route though. Presumably this weather changed on route or did you know about it before you departed?

 

[capnsensible]

Was looking at a similar route a few years ago delivering Antigua to Lanzarote. We were doing fine until the engine exhaust blew one evening whilst battery charging. Nearest place....Azores. otherwise would have stopped in Madeira that really needs a bigger marina in Funchal!

 

[capnsensible]

You were lucky not to have been hit by Orcas as you approached Gib from offshore. The recommended route is to head for Cadiz and then hug the coast the orcas have been very aggressive in may and June in Barbate Bay this year. No one who has hugged the shore has been attacked.

I like your route though. Presumably this weather changed on route or did you know about it before you departed?

Can't you also stay close in round Cabo Spartel and along in front of Tangier?

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

You were lucky not to have been hit by Orcas as you approached Gib from offshore. The recommended route is to head for Cadiz and then hug the coast the orcas have been very aggressive in may and June in Barbate Bay this year. No one who has hugged the shore has been attacked.

I like your route though. Presumably this weather changed on route or did you know about it before you departed?

Hugging the coast on the Moroccan side is also a good approach. There have been more recorded incidents on the Spanish side and some even in quite shallow water...

The Azores high had been replaced by a large storm system which was forecast, but only as we got closer, hence coming much further south and sailing into Madeira instead.

Pete