Portland to Peru

[atlaswoods]

Hi, my name is Atlas and I'm learning how to sail this year around Portland area. Obviously I'm not ready for a journey like this, but i thought i'd find out what i can from the wise ladys and fellas on cruisersforum. So the goal is South America, i was wondering how long it would take to reach Lima, Peru, or to take the panama canal and go around to Salvador Bahia, Brazil. I've been pouring over maps trying to figure out weather patterns to find the best season to embark. Any help or info would be much loved!

Sincerely,

Atlas Woods

[susan 238]

Look at Jimmy cornell's world Cruising Routes for this information. It addresses weather patterns and current patterns as well as good times to sail.

[micah719]

Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors

[skipmac]

Good suggestion by Susan. For some instant information look online for a map showing the constant wind patterns called the trade winds. In short there are four, large circular wind and current patterns, north and south Atlantic and Pacific. Each circular pattern is a circular movement of winds with the current following. Looking at the north Atlantic circulation winds come from roughly southern Spain towards the Caribbean then from NE USA back towards Europe.

So globally there are winds from the east on the north and south sides of the equator and winds from the west as you move away from the equator.

Any long ocean voyages are best done following these routes, otherwise you are beating your head against a wall.