Sail from Canaries to Med in May

[Sea Angel1]

Hi sailing friends,
I sailed this summer to the Canaries via Madeire. A wonderfull trip. Now i will sail next may to the med via Morocco with our 2. Who has experience with the wind conditions along the Morocco coast in May. i don't like go up wind too much.
In summer it is a steady NW to NE and is not perfect. Or should I go in April?

Also there I cannot find a good pilot for the area. Any ideas

Thanks for any information.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Theo Roorda

Hi sailing friends,
I sailed this summer to the Canaries via Madeire. A wonderfull trip. Now i will sail next may to the med via Morocco with our 2. Who has experience with the wind conditions along the Morocco coast in May. i don't like go up wind too much.
In summer it is a steady NW to NE and is not perfect. Or should I go in April?

Also there I cannot find a good pilot for the area. Any ideas

Thanks for any information.

There are no hard rules in wx routing and every year is different. BUT if you accept a quick and dirty generalization then many decide to do the jump in April or May and most go to Madeira and then onwards to the Straits.

The coast will have more variable winds - mostly light breeze type with calm periods in between. If a strong system exists over the continent then a long spell of puffy ENE winds will rule. If a strong system approaches from the West, a dangerous SW/W/NW gale will last for about 36 to 48 hours.

Later in the season winds become more from N and get more stable (still with a typical day/night variation inshore).

Check Imray and RCC for pilots. If nothing useful found, use FRENCH sources. It is a francophone territory.

If you coast, make sure your engine is sound and strong. You can't sail when no wind and you can't linger if a gale is approaching.

Cheers,
b.
Las Palmas, Canary Islands