S. Coast to Antigua ?

[Clive_Rigden]

Before all the euphoria over England's Ash's performance had reached its crescendo, I was invited to spend a couple of weeks with friends in Antigua for the Cricket World Cup quarter finals in March/April 2007. Needless to say, I've accepted and as their appartment is at Jolly Harbour, have been thinking "why not sail over there?". Assuming I'll be going over in Enigma (Holman & Pye - Hustler 30 XM), possibly, though not preferably, single-handed, does anyone have any advice on route, time to allow &c., &c? I'll have to be there by the 24th. March, 2007.

Seems silly not to give it a go . . . /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[john_morris_uk]

The quick answer is buy one of the Atlantic Cruising guides.

The slightly longer one is: leave UK sometime in the late spring/summer after all the storms have passed through Biscay and take a leasurely sail down to Spain, Portugal and ultimately the Canaries. Leave the Canaries at the end of October/sometime in Novemeber to arrive in Antigua for Christmas. Drink Rum punches until the cricket starts.

You can leave as late as you want in the year, but most people don't fancy getting beaten up across Biscay, so the summer months are good.

For the transatlantic bit, the idea is to delay crossing until after the Hurricane Season - which is generally the end of October, so time your trip appropriately. You can leave later, but the Hurrican season starts again in June (and its getting unbearably hot by then) which limits your time in Antigua and you can be right in the path of Tropical Storms etc. (I know as I sheltered from a hurricane there once!)

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Thanks John. I sailed to Madeira and back some years ago starting early/mid May, which was a very pleasurable experience. It's the Atlantic "hop" which concerns me, so as to miss the hurricanes. I'll have a look at the guides.

Cheers!

 

[doris]

Tropical storms and hurricans are getting less reliable as to their timing. I would be reluctant to leave the Canaries before the v. end of Nov, preferably mid Dec, get better trades and miss any chance of a late storm. A couple of years ago the ARC only just missed getting belted!

 

[snowleopard]

Yes, the ARC do push their luck, I suppose so the support people can be home for xmas. In 2001 there were reports of a late hurricane several days after we set off. Most people go early to maximize the length of season in the islands but there's a lot to be said for waiting till after xmas. You should be out of the caribbean or securely laid up by 1st June.

For serious planning, get the 'Atlantic Crossing Guide'

 

[tcm]

Re: jolly harbour

well the first bit is easy peasy (ahem!) but i think i wd enter jolly harbour for the first time during daylight or if not then stay well out in the north side of the bay to find the dredged channel which of course is marked with "red right returning" buoyage - but which seems not to be very secure.

There are moorings in the outer harbour for which it seems nobody can be bothered collect fees.

Nice new marina, free pool, big new supermarket.

 

[TigaWave]

I've left in early mid Jan from Canaries each time, after a great Christmas and New year in the Islands, the trades are blowing so you have a quick crossing with no need for engine, and you've definately missed the storms.

We crossed in under 15 days in a 38ft Sweden, the only reason to leave earlier seems to be to get there for Christmas, but many of the long term cruisers who time trips for best weather were leaving in Jan.

We left Portugal on the last trip on the 4th December, weather was great.

Have a good trip, the guides are useful , but you'll also meet many very experienced people in the Canaries harbours at that time of year, we left as a small group so had vhf contact for the first few days which is nice as you seyttle in to the routine.

Have a good trip.