Atlantic Crossing 2009

[cfpcfpcfp]

We are planning to leave Lanzarote, Canaries on 1-December. Crossing to Antigua.
We are a 43' Catamaran and would like to have someone to 'buddy' across with.

Anyone interested?

[anjou]

Doesnt the ARC make the dash about that time of year?

[Herbseesmoore]

Is this a clandestine operation? Tell all, tell now,
we are all interested

[barnakiel]

You will have buddies all the way - the ARC takes off a momo earlier and you will catch up with most of them.

Boats leaving later you can meet mostly Las Palmas and san Sebastian.

b.

[cfpcfpcfp]

The ARC leaves around 20-Nov and ends in St Lucia. We are not interested in racing, and we are going to make landfall in Antigua, so I've discounted the ARC for us.
Plan to leave Lanzarote on 30-Nov and be across before Christmas.

Nothing clandestine that I'm aware of. Just looking for some mates to be able to chat to and share weather/ safety/ navigational/ fishing information.

Thought we might set up a loose radio net either on HAM or marine frequency.

[Joli]

Why not move up your departure date and shadow the ARC fleet?

[cfpcfpcfp]

crew flights to Lanzarote already bought and paid for on 28-Nov

[anjou]

Read this, it might be of help

Reflections 1

[cfpcfpcfp]

I wounder if anyone has come across a text or magazine that really helps with trans-Atlantic route planning.
Someone said to me that there are a number of normal routes West, but I can't find any reference that explains the proper use of rhumb lines, great circles etc. to prepare some possible Atlantic routes that will be the shortest possible.

Any ideas?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by cfpcfpcfp

Someone said to me that there are a number of normal routes West,

Just one that I know of. Leave Canaries and head 272 deg for 2641 miles and drop anchor.

Its one of the great nav-less trips. Grab a long book (per day).

Chill, unwind and enjoy it


Mark

[cfpcfpcfp]

Thats what I kind of thought. Someone said to me, "Go south till the butter melts and then turn right!"

"Very funny", I thought!

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by cfpcfpcfp

...

I wounder if anyone has come across a text or magazine that really helps with trans-Atlantic route planning.

Someone said to me that there are a number of normal routes West, but I can't find any reference that explains the proper use of rhumb lines, great circles etc. to prepare some possible Atlantic routes that will be the shortest possible.

Any ideas?

YM last year just before ARC had a feature on the subject.

There is no magic to an Atlantic crossing towards the West Indies - start when the wind is best and then follow the wind until you get there. Some variations possible depending on:
- how responsive your boat is,
- how much driving experience you / the crew have,
- how well you know what the preferred take off weather is,
- how well you understand the weather patterns / forecasts and how to use them.

This would take a long post to explain in detail but if you are comfortable to read long msgs you can contact me by a direct msg - I can introduce you to the magic.

But if you follow MarkJ advise you will get there anyway so why bother.

Cheers,
b.

[helloneilwood]

If any of your crew drop out at the last minute please get in touch, myself and girlfriend are looking for a boat, Im a yachtmaster and divemaster. Ive worked on a few boats over 50m and also lots of smaller sailing boats. I sailed from Gran Canaria via Cape Verde to Grenada in 2006, Great times, back for more!!!
If you or anyone else requires a cv, please just ask.
Good luck and maybe see in Antigua!!

[ka4wja]

cfpcfpcfp,
I couldn't agree more with barnakiel.....
He's right on the money!!!
In short, you sail with the wind that you have!!!

Originally Posted by barnakiel

There is no magic to an Atlantic crossing towards the West Indies - start when the wind is best and then follow the wind until you get there. Some variations possible depending on:
- how responsive your boat is,
- how much driving experience you / the crew have,
- how well you know what the preferred take off weather is,
- how well you understand the weather patterns / forecasts and how to use them.

This would take a long post to explain in detail but if you are comfortable to read long msgs you can contact me by a direct msg - I can introduce you to the magic.

As for your specific questions, he's also correct that it would be a long conversation here.....
But, in brief.....
You'll probably sail SW'erly until you hit the brunt of the trade winds....and then head Westerly (along the rhumb line) towards Antigua.....

There are actually many books, articles, guides, etc. written about this passage (and other ocean passages), which I'd advise you to read.....
You'll learn quite a bit......
However, it is true that you'll a lot more when you're "out there"...but that's for you to decide, whether you wish to be fully prepared or not....


Just my thoughts....
Fair winds...

John

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by ka4wja

There are actually many books, articles, guides, etc. written about this passage (and other ocean passages),
John

Theres a lot of good reading, however, and with the proviso of not taking off under prepared, you could do well NOT to read them!

Why?

Because anyone can take Jimmy Cornells book and follow his route. But thats HIS route. We like planning our own route. I don't think it makes us faster or better, but its our unique route.