Sails for Atlantic Crossing

[roberjkellogg]

From Cape Verde west starting in the middle of Nov

[barnakiel]

It is easy and short from CV and the timing is right.

Starting with a short port tack (about 300 miles, to SW) may allow you to sail an extra long second leg. This is so because normally the wind at CV is E to NE, tends E at the midway, and then tends E to EbS.

Such a wildcard port shot is viable if you have nearly E wind at CV. If it is clearly more in NE, start on STBD tack, sail some 300 miles, then gybe SW and lose all excess height.

The light patches are often pronounced in the central section of the route (if at all). They are generally easier to sail lower (closer to the Equator) than higher. If you are high and you get caught out, you can just motor very economically due W till the new wind comes. 36 hours at 5 knots burns very little diesel and allows you to refill your tanks from any watermaker (if you have one).

When a pronounced light patch closes in (it comes from behind, like the tax officer) you may be able to see the wind ease and veer (that is go SE then S then die in SW, come very light from W, then it fills from NW and once in the N the new windy period begins). Normally about 24 to 48 hours. Normally about 12 to 18 hours of calm or near calm.

Back in 2012 we had no calms, we had a hell of 35 knots with occasional extra gusts, for two weeks.

If the kite you found in Almerimar is the right length, you fly it of the windward bow and set the sheet on the lee bow. No pole required. Easier to set, to douse and way more stable than anything. A good strong (1.2 or 1.5 oz) and not ultralight kite should be fine up to about 25 knots at 150 apparent to 180 apparent. If you catch a puff, bear off. If it is not enough, release the tack, pull in the sheet, it will stream. Drop it as usual - ease the tack, pull it on the lee side by the sheet. Very easy.

Check thoroughly the kite, especially the tapes. Most any weak point can be inexpensively repaired and strengthened by a local sailmaker. Fixing stuff ate sea is always a bit more challenge (but a a USD 100 sewing machine can fix nearly any kite in 5 minutes.) Take some nylon cloth, spinnaker tape, etc. And some pieces of webbing too.

I wish you a happy sunny and windy passage. We will be chasing you but we will never catch you ;-) Maybe we will catch up with you in the Caribbean.

Cheers,
b.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by roberjkellogg

From Cape Verde west starting in the middle of Nov

Couple weeks from there you could be sipping caipirinhas in Brasil