Leaving NY in March / April ?

[arjand]

Hi there,
We are contemplating to leave NY to go South in March or April. Instead of the route via Bermuda we have also been reading about the route to the bahamas. Key issue is safety. The idea is to wait for a good weather window and than to cross the gulfstream and than head south.

The key motivation to choose this route instead of Bermuda is the reduced risk of being caught by a major system.

Has anybody done this route in that time of year?

Any strong ideas?

Thanks!

Arjan

[s/v Moondancer]

March is early to be out in the Gulf Stream north of Hatteras...Head south and then cross the Gulf Stream off Florida.

[arjand]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your reply.

will look further into that as well!

Cheers,

a

[unbusted67]

"The key motivation to choose this route instead of Bermuda is the reduced risk of being caught by a major system." But at that time of year there are plenty of major systems off of NY.

[arjand]

Just came across another post. Key answers:

As to sailing south from New York City in the month of March you can expect to be in full winter and snow conditions with temperatures getting to below 0C. Winds and waves in the passages that need to be done in the Atlantic Ocean may be subject to Nor-easter's which are cyclonic storms that occur in the winter time. It is possible but you better be dressed like an Eskimo and have the experience needed to sail Tasmanian Sea type conditions.

You would have to do some offshore hops along the NJ coast and then go up the Delware bay and the canal to the Chesapeake bay. You could do it safely is you are willing to wait in port for weather windows. Thereafter you would be in the Atlantic. And there is plenty of nasty water out there that time of year, not to mention having to round some nasty capes. You might be better heading out to sea to Bermuda then the Bahamas/Caribbean before turning west to Panama.

Does not sound overly apetizing either...

What would be the earliest you would consider going? (again: pending a good weather window)

[Vasco]

Most folks that take the thorny path south (Bahamas and island hopping) start in the fall or early in the year. But the start is from Florida. Best to leave NY in September or latest, October if you're heading down the coast and then along the thorny path.

[arjand]

Hi Rick, As that is not possible I am looking at the first reasonable/safe month in the new year...

[Vasco]

From NY that's difficult, cold, wet, bad weather till April or May. If you get a good day to get to Cape May and you are a hardy soul shoot for Cape May and then up Delaware Bay and then the C&D Canal to the Chesapeake. Depends on how cold it is. I've seen ice in Great Bridge (ICW just south of Norfolk) in November, don't know what it's like early in the year. Maybe one of the local sailors in Norfolk can chime in.

[arjand]

Thank you!
It sound like we should be ready in April and just wait for the right opportunity. Might be a four weeks wait in a very cold and miserable NY but well.... :-)

[hellosailor]

"As that is not possible I am looking at the first reasonable/safe month in the new year... "
April in NY may mean an Easter bonnet--or just as often icy rain. Yes it is doable but expect you may wait into May. If you let time pressure you, you may find out that even NJ has a well-earned reputation for some killer lee shores.