Santa Lucia,
A quick glance at your Pilot
Charts will show you why it's called the "Thorny Path" when heading East / South....but when heading West / North, it's not "thorny" at all!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santa Lucia
My husband and I are considering sailing a 39 foot Jeanneau westbound from The VIs the straight up the coast of Florida, jumping to the intracoastal around Jacksonville.
I see many post on sailing down, however very little about heading up.
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You'll see that in March the easterly trades are still statistically dominant up to about 25* N....and up to 28* N in April....
And, areas north of that latitude are heavily effected by continental Lows and the Fronts, as they move off the coast!!
BUT...
But, you need to be aware that at that time of year (March and April), these Lows and Fronts can still be very strong, and most would not want to be caught out in that weather!!
In addition to enjoying the wonders of the
Bahamas, this is one more reason why those not doing a straight "delivery" will usually
head thru the islands.....allowing them have fun sailing/gunkholing thru the T&C, and most wonderously The Bahamas, all the while watching the
weather coming off the US
East Coast...
You should have some way of getting weather info / forecasts when
offshore and/or in
remote areas (where you don't have
internet connection), so that you can better assess your
route planning after you leave the
Virgin Islands....
{a simple portable HF-SW
radio to allow you to receive the USCG broadcasts of the NWS/NOAA
Offshore Marine Weather for the SW N. Atl., etc. would do fine....}
As I wrote above, looking at the Pilot
Charts will show you both the historic
wind and sea conditions (for every month of the year), and they are FREE to download...and as Dave wrote, March is pretty early for heading North from the VI's...but making your way to//thru the Bahamas in March is VERY "do-able"!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santa Lucia
We would like to depart St. Thomas in March. Can anyone provide expected sea and wind conditions at that time of year?
Look at the Pilot Charts....
I know it's a little earlier than the preferred window, but is it doable?
Yes, it's do-able!
Any other experiences, deatils or advice would be appreciated.
I've done this passage many times....usually in late April, May, and June...but also in November!
In March (and even in April) once you get to the Central Bahamas, the continental weather WILL effect you, but only somewhat...so hanging out there is usually fine, nice 'n warm, etc. when the guys in Jacksonville are still lamenting the "cold fronts"....
But, if you're prepared for some rough weather and cool evenings, and have good on-board weather info, then you CAN make a go of it without hanging out in the Bahamas!
We are fairly experienced sailors (5 years plus).
Please forgive me, but if you were experienced for this you'd likely not be asking these questions...
Thanks!
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I mean no offense here, but my overall recommendation for you is:
a) make sure you have looked over the Pilot Charts...
b) make sure you have good offshore weather available on-board....(a simple portable HF-SW
radio to allow you to receive the USCG broadcasts of the NWS/NOAA Offshore
Marine Weather for the SW N. Atl., etc. would do fine...and cost you less than $150, and the forecasts sent every 6 hours are FREE...)
For details on weather info/forecasts, please have a look here...
Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts
And, then ask for any clarifications, specifics, etc..
c) make sure you are prepared for some weather, especially once north of 25* N....
Do all the above, and it's "do-able"!
Fair winds....
John
s/v Annie Laurie