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Subject: Re: TWL: Atlantic passages under power
From: Bob Austin (thataway4@XXX.XXX)
Date: Thu May 02 2002 - 23:16:18 EDT
The Azores are an alternative--my suspician is that Nordhavn wanted the
fastest and most direct route. The Cape Verdes do not have a good
reputation--and this was confirmed. The classic sailing passage is from the
coast of Europe to Maderia, then to the Canaries go south to almost the Cape
Verdes and then for Barbados or what ever Island you wish. This usually
assures the wind and current aft of the beam--this is desirable for low
power boats also.
Boats with the range will go from the Coast of Europe directly through the
Altlantic or Azores high to the Coast of North America or the Caribbean.
Boats with lower range as Georgs suggested can go from the S. Coast of Spain
or Portugal to the Azores (Gibralter to Azores is about 1100 nautical miles)
Thence head south Westerly across the high to Bermuda--about 1880 nautical
miles, then to S. Florida and thence to Panama, going through the Windward
passage.
The problem with this route is that even in May the winds are fairly strong
predominantly out of the North West, so that although the current will be on
the beam and you will not be heading dead to weather, you will most likely
be heading into wind and current to the Azores. The North Altantic Gales
still sweep across this area in April (although deminished). We left S.
Spain headed up the coast of Portugal in Mid May and encountered wind out of
the North West with an daily peak of nearly 30 knots. We had to wait
weather out in La Corona before corssing Bay of Biscay--these same systems
can extend to the Azores and can be very nasty.
From The Azores one would tend to go south initially to avoid the gulf
stream--and the North westerlies, then going across the upper part of the
high. With a weather routing service this is possiable. The distance is
further and probably would consume more fuel. Than the route to the
Canaries.
An other option would be to cruise the coast of Africa I have heard of some
French boats doing this, but I would be very leery. I have no personal
information except friends who have lived in some of these countries who
were very security conscious.
Some of the best information for route determining is in Ocean Passages of
the World --Navy Hydrographic office and the British Admirality Pilot Charts
(in my opinion better infomormation than the American Pilot charts).
Regards,
Bob Austin
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