We set out in June from CT, headed to
Ireland, and could not believe how cold it was. We ran the bulkhead
heater for about a week of our 22-day crossing, trying to keep warm and dry out our gloves, hats and sweaters. Leaving later and heading further South might make it more comfortable for you. Goggles (clear shop goggles or diving) might be useful for nasty
weather, when the rain and spray is being driven so hard you can't open your eyes to it. We had a 50
knot squall in the Irish Sea where they would have been handy. We ran into three day-long gales, with winds up to 35-40 knots, and waves to almost 20'. Driving off a bit from our course on a more comfortable heading enabled us to make reasonable time without beating the
boat (and us) into pulp. Tankers we spoke with over the
radio were having a harder time of it than we were: slowing to avoid the worst of it and worried they'd hang up between big seas and crack their hulls.