Erm, it's entirely possible to sail back.
On my globe it’s up hill going back!
Generally, boats sail down to the Canaries any time during the summer up to late autumn, early winter. Most leave end of November to early December when post hurricane season insurance window opens. There are always exceptions, but this is fairly standard. Gives the most time in the Caribbean for those staying for one season.
lots of boats head back to Europe, often via the Azores, anytime from late April until we'll into June.
We are on route at the moment. 700nm west of the Cape Verdes. It's windy. High 20s gusting 30kts. This is supposed to be the quite time of year to cross. Pre trades. Bot this year. They are blowing full onGenerally, boats sail down to the Canaries any time during the summer up to late autumn, early winter. Most leave end of November to early December when post hurricane season insurance window opens. There are always exceptions, but this is fairly standard. Gives the most time in the Caribbean for those staying for one season.
March is a typical month for those heading for the Panama Canal and onwards through the Pacific.
From what I've seen...and done
This is a big generalisation, some stay in the Windies for years, heading south for hurricane season.
Thanks so an Atlantic circuit could be done quite quickly……… Um trying to decide what sailing to do with the sailing seasons left to me. Azores and back next year or carry on……. Will have to make a decision and tell the family at some point…….Generally, boats sail down to the Canaries any time during the summer up to late autumn, early winter. Most leave end of November to early December when post hurricane season insurance window opens. There are always exceptions, but this is fairly standard. Gives the most time in the Caribbean for those staying for one season.
March is a typical month for those heading for the Panama Canal and onwards through the Pacific.
From what I've seen...and done
This is a big generalisation, some stay in the Windies for years, heading south for hurricane season.
Have to factor in trips home to get medication (insulin)….Do you anchour at night
The hurricane season in my opinion provides the best conditions for sailing in the Carribbean, though that does of course assume that you avoid the hurricanes themselves. With modern on-line weather forecasts, provided that you are aboard and your vessel's in commission, that's not especially difficult. Hurricane strength winds are localised, so when you hear that one's on its way, if it's heading in your general direction, sail to somewhere else, that's at least 50 and preferably >100 miles from the hurricane's predicted track and given a choice, aim to get south of it.
It could be done in a year but you wouldn't get much time for sightseeing.Thanks so an Atlantic circuit could be done quite quickly……… Um trying to decide what sailing to do with the sailing seasons left to me. Azores and back next year or carry on……. Will have to make a decision and tell the family at some point…….
Interesting.
We stayed In Antigua until July then cruised down to the Grenadines. We spent the rest of the summer in Grenada and the Grenadines.
A very cautionarytale
Thanks for sharing.
More importantly in the context of Mike’s post you’re no longer “going to sea unsure of it's direction” you’d be going to sea with the ability to stay abreast of updates as they come. Even in 2005 the ability to get quality updates was limited once away from land. Now I imagine most boats either have Starlink or are within VHF range of people who do.
From what I've seen around the Canarian marinas with boats preparing, few have starlink. The chances of being anywhere near vhf range of anything over weeks is slim.