That will surely change while crossing the Atlantic. This route is the more sailing-interesting variant, but is also more demanding. You'll obviously need a boat and ideally, one that is built for long-distance offshore sailing.Of course it depends a lot on your requirements for comfort and how many you plan to bring in your crew. But if you are able to cope, you will also be able to cross faster. Going east to west,there is a few popular routes to choose from. Latest. This guide will take you through everything you need to know before you embark on this amazing journey. Choosing the right route. On August 3, 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus started his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Not only did Da Gama find a sea route to India, he discovered the most efficient sailing route there and back. I’ve done this route twice now. ... extending west to east about 30 miles south of us. The Northeast Passage (abbreviated as NEP) is, from the European and northern Atlantic point of view, the shipping route to the Pacific Ocean, along the Arctic coasts of Norway and Russia. It is an annual “race” where around 200 participants is racing across the Atlantic. Therefore, it is recommended that you try to get to know them a bit before departure. The westward routes aremore demanding, as it faces the dominant winds and currents. The smallest boat to ever successfully complete the crossing was only 5 feet, so basically you can pick whichever boat you like. The trade winds will be running on the edge of the high, and the positioning will therefore govern where the strongest winds are situated. Anything smaller than 35 feet, will likely extend your travel time to somewhere around 4 weeks and perhaps a couple of days beyond.Further, the waves in the open sea will be remarkably longer between its trough and crest than what you would normally experience closer to shore. Copyright © 2020 DeepSailing. More than a simple adventure story, or even a personal memoir of what the author did right and wrong when hitch-sailing (3 times!) Focus: Adventure Sailing. The most important decision to make is whether you will go east to west or west to east. Interestingly, sailing across the Atlantic from west to east is generally considered a slower passing even though most records are achieved passing in this direction (New York to Cornwall). The Southern passage (east to west) The more popular of the two sailing routes (because it’s slightly faster), the Southern Passage generally starts in Portugal, where sailors must go southeast to the Canary Islands, some 60 miles off the coast of Western Africa. Search with the cruise finder | Download the cruise plan as PDF | Specials & promotions | Last-minute trips | Request a cruise offer, Sailing trips in other sailing areas:Caribbean sailing trips | Mediterranean sailing trips | Atlantic sailing trips | Themed sailing trips, La Bonne Aventure 26041 MC RoermondThe Netherlands, +31 475 332 249+31 475 310 573info@sailing-classics.nl, Sailing-Classics GmbH Andreas Steidle-Sailer, Kirchheimer Straße 60 70619 Stuttgart Germany, +49 711 6749 600+49 711 6749 977info@sailing-classics.com, © 2020 Sailing-Classics CV.Alle Rechte vorbehalten, We can offer even more – show further trips. Interestingly, sailing across the Atlantic from west to east is generally considered a slower passing even though most records are achieved passing in this direction (New York to Cornwall). There are two main routes: sailing from east to west and from west to east. Here it is time to plan the course with the weather forecast and hang in the right place in a low, which then blows over the ocean. A normal sailboat is likely to be dressed with a mainsail, 1-3 jibs of varying size and a spinnaker and/or gennaker. The best time to cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean or South America is between November and February. The ACR Atlantic begins around end of November or beginning of December. The reason is that the west to east route is generally windier, which is far better suited for efficient racing boats than for regular sailboats. For cruising, passing the Atlantic east to west should take around 3-4 weeks, depending on the sizeof your sailboat.Â. The reason is that the trade winds going west is blowing around much sunnier and warmer latitudes than the west to east crossing.And who wouldn't like a nice golden tan to go with this remarkable achievement? True blue water sailing from Antigua or the Bahamas across the Azores directly to Europe. Am I correct in assuming that I may be cutting things close if I want to leave this summer? Get lots … If possible, it could also be worthwhile to bring the boat out of the water,checking that the keel and rudder along with fittings are all in good shape. Â, To conclude, an arrival in late October or in the beginning of November is recommended. Also, a big boat is far tougher to handle. One of the main routes across the Atlantic is Canaries or Cape Verdes to the Caribbian which is east to west route. A big boat is generally more comfortable but it is also far more expensive.Not only to buy but also to equip. Kinship chose the southern route via Bermuda and the Azores, which is warmer, but not necessarily easier. The larger ones it is likely you will not need at all. John Harries. However, it is also important that it is someone you can get along with.And that goes not only for the captain but also for the rest of the crew. The plan is to “Island hop” across the Atlantic much like cruising the Caribbean islands as opposed to the typical long haul …  You should expect your crossing to be heavily dominated by downwind sailing, so maybe consider a customized spinnaker designed exactly for that purpose. Sailing Totem: Watch Keeping on Passages. In general, it is advised to be even more careful when planning motor-driven crossings. To reach … From the Caribbean, the popular choice is to sail north to Bermuda and then across to the Azores and onward to your European destination. It's fun to watch the boats pass through the locks along the route. From there, you’ll set sail making a stop at Cape Verde before heading off to the Windward Islands in the Caribbean. Regardless of your level of experience as a sailor, to sail across the Atlantic will be a demanding challenge. We departed from Huntington, Long Island, New York and headed towards Gibraltar. Boat-owners as well as crews are set up with profiles such that it is possible to review the boat-owners experience. We’ll take more wind over no wind any day … Our only east to west crossing was the traditional trade winds route (Spain, Portugal, Madeiras, Canaries, Barbados) and it was very slow going in 2009. On the other hand, heading straight across the Azores does not provide this option to escape. I would like to make it home to the States by sea this summer/fall, but it sounds like late summer and fall is out of the question. By Alvah Simon. SK . Draw and plan your own route and embark on a magical journey across the open Adriatic sea. Destinations. Depending on the size and speed of the boat, the roughly 2,700-nautical-mile trip typically takes from two to three weeks. The Azores high had slid way down and we just kept having to drop further south to find wind. Trade Wind Routes (in nautical miles) On the east to west route, you can go from Canary Islands or Cape Verde Islands. Route planning a trip across the Atlantic Ocean east to west involves a few decisions. Atlantic crossing: West – East True blue water sailing from Antigua or the Bahamas across the Azores directly to Europe. This is challenging ocean sailing. The Trip This is a 35 night trip and includes a training weekend in the UK. I have never made that trip, but in contemplating a round-trip my impression is that the west-east leg is the more challenging. Have a look at lazy gecko to get an idea of what life is like on the water. Let's get into the details. The large marina is nestled in a sheltered basin with the town as a backdrop, and the 7,000-foot Pico rising to the east, looming across the channel. There will often be a trough or old cold front mid-Atlantic which is best avoided by being to the south to avoid light wind. The most important decision to make is whether you will go east to west or west to east. The general rule of thumb is that northern routes are shorter and faster while southern routes are for comfort and safety.For a fast passing,you should embark from the Canary Islands and aim for the Azores. The weather gets more unpredictable. I'll go into more detail on the conditions in the Meds below.Croatia - Croatia's sailing season can be limited by the Bora, a North Eastern wind gust coming in from Russia, which can reach hurricane strength. You can check out some of the best coolers for boating and keep your supplies fresh and cool with some of those options as it's important you'll be able to stay healthy on such a ling trip. Prior to the 19th century, transatlantic crossings were undertaken in sailing ships, and the journeys were time-consuming and often perilous.The first trade route across the Atlantic was inaugurated by Spain a few decades after the European Discovery of the Americas, with the establishment of the West Indies fleets in 1566, a convoy system that regularly linked its territories in the Americas with Spain for over … There are two major routes to take when choosing to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, and they have a high impact on travel time. He took the southeast trade winds directly northwest across the South Atlantic to the Cape Verde Islands, the Azores, and home. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, strengthening during the winter and when the Arctic oscillation is in its warm phase. Last time (2018) we were in two storms. As you get further to the west, the frequency of squalls will increase drastically. In late December and January the high over the Azores, which also should be one of your main concerns when choosing a route, will sink further south and built even stronger trade winds - 25-30 knots. Retracing our steps from 2017, ISBJORN will cross the Atlantic for the 3rd time via Bermuda and the Azores. This causes unsettled weather. Horta, on Faial’s east coast, is the traditional landfall for boats crossing the Atlantic from points south and west. Focus: Adventure Sailing. Will I be able to find such a gig? Sail Across the Atlantic Ocean – Spring 2018 Cape to Cape via Antarctica 2018. If you have ever dreamt about crossing that big blue pond most regularly known as the North Atlantic Ocean, you have come to the right place. But still in excellent condition as it is rarely necessary to use for inshore cruising. As the date gets closer I am working on route planning and studying the weather patterns for the most challenging leg that is St. John to Reikjavik with a possible stopover in the tip of … Sailing around the world is an eye-opening experience, both on a sailboat or a powerboat. I’ve done this route twice now. The big one is whether to cross during or outside the Hurricane Season, which runs from May to October each year. Since Christopher Columbus famously traveled 3.000 nautical miles (nm) across the Atlantic in around 5 weeks back in 1492, holding the time of the fastest Atlantic crossing by sail has been a prestigious achievement. Southern West to East Sail Cape to Cape via Antarctica on a traditional tall ship from South America to South Africa. For me it’s a no brainer, I wouldn’t cross in the hurricane season. However, before you acquire a used optimist dinghy at your local sailing club and fill it to the brim with a variety of questionable canned food items, please realize that there are a few benefits to picking a larger vessel that you may want to consider.Â. I am currently looking for someone to take me on as crew for an Atlantic crossing from the east coast of the U.S.A. or the Caribbean, to Europe, sometime during the spring of 2011. The Azores high had slid way down and we just kept having to drop further south to find wind. That is achieved by making it a bit fuller while moving the center of the sail a bit downward sot hat the widest point on the spinnaker is lower than it would regularly be. A squall is a shower-storm accompanied with heavy rainfall and gale force gusts. The crossing must be made from Ambrose Light of New York to an imaginary line linking Lizard Point, Cornwall to Ushant.The … If anything needs to be repaired, it is important to take the time to do so. There are two typical transatlantic passages: from west to east, vessels take the northern route from New York to the English Channel, benefitting from prevailing westerlies and favorable current; east to west, vessels take the southern route, from Spain to Bermuda or the Caribbean. Also, it is advised to make sure that you have sufficient front sails in the lower size-range. SD 1021’s mission track from Newport, RI, to the Gulf Stream (pink), Bermuda to the UK (green), and back across the North Atlantic to Newport, RI (red). During our time in the Med our travels took us to Portugal, Gibraltar, … … Perhaps even go all the was. Atlantic weather. Leaving the Mediterranean and sailign into the ocean through Gibraltar is always emotional. Trade Wind Routes (in nautical miles) The best time to cross the Atlantic east to west is winter but the weather is a fickle being that requires constant watching and flexibility in your plans. There are two typical transatlantic passages: from west to east, vessels take the northern route from New York to the English Channel, benefitting from prevailing westerlies and favorable current; east to west, vessels take the southern route, from Spain to Bermuda or the Caribbean. The western route through the islands of Canada is accordingly called the Northwest Passage (NWP).. Follow us as we sail on Shaima´s Viking Route Across the Atlantic starting June 14th, 2019. Finally, it is important that all fittings are solid and robust. It is currently held by the multi-hulled Banque Populaire V in about 3 days and 15 hours. In general, multi-hulls are often faster than mono-hulls and sailing across the Atlantic in a catamaran or another type of multi-hull is expected to earn you an arrival 3-5 days earlier than a mono-hull. There are two major routes to take when choosing to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, and they have a high impact on travel time. There is so much to do on a boat when crossing an ocean of this size, having an extra pair of hands and eyes aboard is typically offered free of charge. ES . You essentially have two options: The great circle route (through the more storm-prone north atlantic); or the longer Bermuda-Azores route. > Q&A: Picking A Sailing Route Across The North Atlantic, West To East. Why Does Sailing Across the Atlantic Take a Month? Our only east to west crossing was the traditional trade winds route (Spain, Portugal, Madeiras, Canaries, Barbados) and it was very slow going in 2009. The trade winds are driven by the intensity and the position of the Azores high. Wave and swell forecasts will also determine how far south to go as nobody enjoys a cross sea from some north Atlantic depression. Join the boat in historic St Georges Bermuda, then set sail for a 1,900 mile passage across the pond to the east! After sailing some 1,500 miles up and down the Eastern Caribbean islands during the 2009-2010 season and having taken part in various regattas, I was, in retrospect, complacent about the preparation of my 50-foot Sciareli-designed schooner, Samadhi, for the Atlantic. 0 comments. Chris Tibbs looks at the best time of year to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the weather systems you’ll encounter along the way . This means that smaller boats will roll significantly more from side to side as the waves will pass under. Weather is a large part of any Atlantic crossing: deciding when to go, which route to follow and the sails to carry.  And as with everything else in sailing, preparation is essential. Here it is time to plan the course with the weather forecast and hang in the right place in a low, which then blows over the ocean. What is the most favorable time of the year for west-east crossings? You might also want to check out boating fire safety to ensure you have the necessary equipment should the worst happen on your long journey. If your vessel is motor-driven, it is naturally a completely different story. There will always be another gust of wind, but if you are trapped in the middle of the Atlantic Sea with missing fuel or an irreparable motor, you are in for a tough battle. Finally, crossing the Atlantic in a trawler requires some deliberate rebuilding to make it able to cover the distance. If you are traveling from Europe to the Americas, you will sail South-East to the Caribbean, most … Most important is the rig, wiring, halyards and sails. The Mediterranean - The Mediterranean doesn't really have a storm season, although the weather is most unsettled in late summer when the water and land temperature is highest and the air temperatures drop. EN . This route is the more sailing-interesting variant, but is also more demanding. Either way, you will have to share very few square meters with unfamiliar people. For safety - and particularly if you are to sail your first crossing - picking a captain and a crew with solid experience should be preferred. Q&A: Picking A Sailing Route Across The North Atlantic, West To East. ACR Atlantic (Atlantic Cross Rally) is the southern route and is an excellent option for relatively inexperienced offshore sailors. From west to east. In 1500 Pedro Álvares Cabral sailed somewhat west of Da Gama's route and bumped onto the coast of Brazil. Â. Columbus' East-to-West Atlantic Passage Routes Compared to Golden Glow's Time to Leave the Mediterranean After sailing across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in 2015 and spending two seasons there, it was time to head back so we could fulfill the dream of sailing the South Pacific before grandchildren come along. Skirt the Azores high by keeping east then south of it. What was most startling to us was how lush and green the Azores are, though the storm a week later explained why. Then there is the opportunity for messaging to align expectations and so forth.Â. Though the southern route is nearly 1,000 nautical miles (1,850 kilometers) longer, crewed vessels enjoy a smoother ride … The wear and tear, the amount of salt in the water and the duration of time under stress will be a tough test for all the blocks and fittings aboard. Viking Route Atlantic Crossing will now be a West to East and not an East to West passage as originally planned, and will start from Florida on June 15th 2019, departing the Americas from St. John, Newfoundland mid July. Answer: This is a pretty standard west to east Atlantic crossing. Statistically, May/June are the best months. Normally, it is considered that a boat around 40 feet or larger will provide a more comfortable sail and you more than likely would not enjoy sailing much smaller. The Northern Passage (West to East) Like any other route, this route is dictated by the trade winds and you, of course, want the trade winds to work in … The main consideration is to … Legal: Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy. Since then every year many sailors venture with their sailboats to imitate the feat of Columbus and sail across the Atlantic. Tweet on Twitter. The first to do so was Christopher Columbus back in 1492. South Indian Ocean - The most cyclones in the South Indian Ocean usually occur between December - March, but this region is notorious for cyclones outside the season. You can track squalls either by radar or compass, but regardless, you will still need to be able to reef your sails expeditiously.Â, To prepare for a good crossing, most will sail to the canaries at least a couple of weeks in advance -if not a month. Far south to find wind, there are two main routes across the Atlantic Ocean near,! 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