Atlantic crossing from Mediterranean Spain

[Dockhead]

We'll be crossing the Atlantic in December and the plan was to sail first to the Canaries and leave from there, but is there any point in the stop? The vessel is fast (some 250 mile days, and regularly 200+) and comfortable and we all like being at sea. Why not just go nonstop? I realize we will need some southing to catch the trades, but why would we constrain the routing with that stop if we don't need to?

I will be glad of any tips.

[Pete7]

For you the only real advantage I can think of is to top off with fresh veg, fruit and cheese etc. Perhaps some bread.

Downside is having to check in and out. You might also want to plan on avoiding the ARC in Las Palmas. There are 3 dates to avoid this winter plus the medley for the first day or so at sea.

https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/arcitinerary.aspx

If you close towards the islands, watch the wind acceleration that can form between some of them. Caught us out with way too much sail up in a F2 that went F7 in about 90 seconds.

There are some rocks incl the Savage islands half way from southern Europe to the Canaries, best avoided. Tenerife has a light on top which can be seen dozens of miles away at night, placed there after the air crash.

Pete

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

We'll be crossing the Atlantic in December and the plan was to sail first to the Canaries and leave from there, but is there any point in the stop? The vessel is fast (some 250 mile days, and regularly 200+) and comfortable and we all like being at sea. Why not just go nonstop? I realize we will need some southing to catch the trades, but why would we constrain the routing with that stop if we don't need to?

I will be glad of any tips.

I see no point in a stop for a stops sake. So south till you get reliable trades and head west.

[ahun]

That's where you stock up with good wine and cheap beer.

[Stewie12]

The Canaries make a good stop over to meet yachts that you will meet again at the other side. Take up the cabin sole and stock up with Spanish wine in the Canaries as it is very expensive at the other side, until you get to St. Barts. Unfortunately beer goes off with the heat few months.Tiny Canary potatoes last for months. A leg of ham is good to snack on, on your way over.

[inchcailloch]

Why not go via Cape Verde islands. Well worth it though food not particularly cheap compared with Spain/Canary Islands and well within the Trades, especially good for Barbados

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

We'll be crossing the Atlantic in December and the plan was to sail first to the Canaries and leave from there, but is there any point in the stop? The vessel is fast (some 250 mile days, and regularly 200+) and comfortable and we all like being at sea. Why not just go nonstop? I realize we will need some southing to catch the trades, but why would we constrain the routing with that stop if we don't need to?

I will be glad of any tips.

Some people say a good reason would is that the Canary islands are a nice place to visit. Many need no extra reasons.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Some people say a good reason would is that the Canary islands are a nice place to visit. Many need no extra reasons.

Fair enough!

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

We'll be crossing the Atlantic in December and the plan was to sail first to the Canaries and leave from there, but is there any point in the stop? The vessel is fast (some 250 mile days, and regularly 200+) and comfortable and we all like being at sea. Why not just go nonstop? I realize we will need some southing to catch the trades, but why would we constrain the routing with that stop if we don't need to?

I will be glad of any tips.

Are you in a hurry?
Rather incompatible attitude to sailing/cruising.
So, if you are in a hurry it is certainly doable. You will need more food/water and maybe fuel but not a real problem.
But, if you are into cruising, any new spot is an adventure and benefit.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by meirriba

...if you are in a hurry it is certainly doable. You will need more food/water and maybe fuel but not a real problem.

I for one enjoy the Canaries and would always stop, though once was probably enough for the Cape Verdes. however, if the OP's looking to push on for whatever reason, then provisioning is equally good and similarly priced in mainland Spain (spirits and cigarettes are about all I can think of that you'll buy substantially cheaper in the Canaries) the additional provisions/water for going direct from the Gibraltar Straits making 200M+/day will only going to be 3-4 days extra with a total passage time of perhaps eighteen - I needed more than that from the Canaries -and fuel's unlikely to be a problem as you oughtn't to be burning much on that stretch anyway (actually, fuel may've been cheaper in the Canaries too?). Feel free to do it in the way that suits you having considered the advice, but ignore those who criticise for not doing it their way.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

...beer goes off with the heat few months...

I can say with confidence that I never lost a single can of beer due to it 'going off with the heat' during ten years in the tropics; I will concede that I had few cans survive for as long as 'a few months' anyway, but the few that did survived the wait for their honourable demise.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

I for one enjoy the Canaries and would always stop, though once was probably enough for the Cape Verdes. however, if the OP's looking to push on for whatever reason, then provisioning is equally good and similarly priced in mainland Spain (spirits and cigarettes are about all I can think of that you'll buy substantially cheaper in the Canaries) the additional provisions/water for going direct from the Gibraltar Straits making 200M+/day will only going to be 3-4 days extra with a total passage time of perhaps eighteen - I needed more than that from the Canaries -and fuel's unlikely to be a problem as you oughtn't to be burning much on that stretch anyway (actually, fuel may've been cheaper in the Canaries too?). Feel free to do it in the way that suits you having considered the advice, but ignore those who criticise for not doing it their way.

Thanks.


We've taken two tonnes of fuel on board already so buying fuel is not an issue. No one needs cigarettes and we don't need spirits in significant quantities so none of that is a reason to stop.


We've all been to the Canaries and it's nice enough, but I think we are all eager to be in the Caribbean. I haven't done any passage planning yet but will start working on it. 18 days in those mild latitudes is just no problem at all; will be a lovely vacation from everything to be out of sight of land for that long. In fact I fear we may suffer some Moitessier Syndrome when we make the first landfall.

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Thanks.


We've taken two tonnes of fuel on board already so buying fuel is not an issue. No one needs cigarettes and we don't need spirits in significant quantities so none of that is a reason to stop.


We've all been to the Canaries and it's nice enough, but I think we are all eager to be in the Caribbean. I haven't done any passage planning yet but will start working on it. 18 days in those mild latitudes is just no problem at all; will be a lovely vacation from everything to be out of sight of land for that long. In fact I fear we may suffer some Moitessier Syndrome when we make the first landfall.

Dockhead, this is what I , and most others do under such circumstances. We just give those places we dont want to stop at a pass, going straight to the destination.

[boatman61]

Once you clear Tarifa head SW and broad reach the N'lies till you hit the E'lies.. by December the Trades have moved a bit N so you should have a good fast crossing.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The vessel is fast (some 250 mile days, and regularly 200+) and comfortable...

@Dockhead I for one am interested to hear some details about this new boat that you have alluded to in various posts

I remember your thoughts on what you would prefer as a future boat to meet your particular use case and I'm wondering how this one stacks up?

In any case 250nm days sound good