The Ultimate Cruising Calendar?

[Macblaze]

Well we are one step closer to getting that sabbatical and I am still thinking at least half of it needs to be spent on a boat somewhere (he says hopefully).

It's a July to June year, so that kinda screws with getting too long here in Canada, so I am trying to assemble a worldwide calendar. I can't find anything definitive and am trying to read between the lines. But there doesn't seem to be a good 365-day-a-year cruising ground.

The "plan" would be to buy a boat I could sell later (unless anyone has a better suggestion), so that might be a factor as well. I mostly want to sail (for the fun and economy) but I am open to anything. We've even talked about sticking to Europe's canals. I also have to worry about Schengen and any other visa requirements. I am hoping for 4-6 months but I have people I have to convince first.

But mostly, I am most curious about when the cruising seasons are?

Caribbean (north): January-April ?
Caribbean (south, including Panama): longer?
East Coast U.S.: May- September?
West Coast (south): I really have no idea given California to Panama
PNW (my home territory): May-September
Mediterranean: March–October?
South Pacific: no idea... Nov–April?
Australia: really no idea!
Baltic: May-September?

What did I miss?

[Jim Cate]

Mac, Australia is a big place! Thus, one can find usable conditions year round somewhere on the continent. Our experience: We like to spend the summer months (Jan-Apr) in Tasmania, then start heading north, reaching the southern part of Queensland around June and far north Qld by September. Usually, periods of NE winds replace the relentless SE trades for a while, beginning sometime in October, and we use them to escape the worst cyclone areas. November-December in NSW, and then, whaddya know? It's time to head for Tassie again.

Of course, some years we head offshore to the islands in the winter... the point is that o ne can find good cruising wx any time of the year in Oz.

I'll leave the other areas for those with better knowledge.

Jim

[Macblaze]

I had to get out a map to figure that all out. I am amazed about how ignorant I am about Australian geography (and seasons). Always been terrified of the place as I hate snakes and spiders

I think its time to do some more research.

Thanks!

[Orion Jim]

World Cruising Routes, a book by Jimmy Cornell, would be invaluable to you to decide what you might want to do. Read it cover to cover and daydream from there.

[socaldmax]

Living in San Diego, I have no idea what seasons are. Today it's going to be 82* and most of my neighbors are on their way to the beach right now.

What I'd suggest is cruising Baja CA. Lots of small, sleepy fishing villages all over the Sea of Cortez, where a cold beer or a taco is only $1, whether it's fish, shrimp, carne asada, carnitas, lengue, pollo asado, etc.

Now I'm getting hungry! Lots of good fishing, and you can always check out Cabo if you want to see some tourists in their natural habitat.

[Macblaze]

So many books...so little time...

Looks like a good one though. I am constantly amazed at how many 'must have' books are out there that I haven't heard about. Maybe if no one wants to make this a calendar thread I should turn it into a bookshelf thread

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Living in San Diego, I have no idea what seasons are. Today it's going to be 82* and most of my neighbors are on their way to the beach right now.

What I'd suggest is cruising Baja CA. Lots of small, sleepy fishing villages all over the Sea of Cortez, where a cold beer or a taco is only $1, whether it's fish, shrimp, carne asada, carnitas, lengue, pollo asado, etc.

Now I'm getting hungry! Lots of good fishing, and you can always check out Cabo if you want to see some tourists in their natural habitat.

But there is a hurricane season in Baja is there not?

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

But there is a hurricane season in Baja is there not?

Yes, the hurricane season is July through October, but they usually head out to the Pacific and miss BC. The northern section of the Sea of Cortez is pretty smooth sailing, they rarely get any storms up there. Nothing like Asia's typhoons or the East Coast of the US.