Sailing Across the Atlantic Ocean Solo

[Gianfranco]

Thanks for the great advice. Yes, we never know it all and there is always something to learn.
Sooner or later a decision must be made. It is not overconfidence but enough confidence to go for it.
It is now or never, done years of reading and found out that books can't supply the experience but, give you some knowledge and confidence.
The difficult part of this adventure is to get away from land. Alone down the locks is intimidating and hope to find some help there.
The tie and currents are a challenge as well as the ships.
I keep looking for some positive advice and information than go for it.
I plan to leave Lake Huron first week in May and ready to cross by the third week.
Boat and I will be ready.

[bobmcd625]

My comment was directed to OP who has only 1 1/2 years sailing experience. ASA courses are great. At least 101 and 103 to get going.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Pandor

I’d start by adding another 5-10 years to your planned departure date. I don’t mean to be dismissive, but solo sailing long distances is very hard. Outfitting a 40 footer is hard and expensive. An Atlantic crossing is very hard. All three together… well you get the picture.

Don’t drop the dream. Just modify it with a better timeframe.

Crossing the Atlantic isn’t hard.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Crossing the Atlantic isn’t hard.

West to East: True. East to West much harder.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by stormalong

West to East: True. East to West much harder.

Slower yes , opportunities for poorer weather , more yes but not in general “ hard “ sailing

[sailawhile]

Originally Posted by stormalong

West to East: True. East to West much harder.

I would expect west to east to be harder than east to west although I’ve done neither

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Slower yes , opportunities for poorer weather , more yes but not in general “ hard “ sailing

Sailing the traditional Canaries towards Cap Verde and turning west towards the Caribbean is one of the roughest passages of the traditional sailing routes. Usually done just after the hurricane season. I have done it three or four times and it has always been rough. The last time I did it a boat named Northern Lights broke it's rudder and was abandoned. It washed up in Barbados a few months later. During that passage wave trains came from two different directions, from different storms and sleep was nearly impossible. A lot of boats arrive in the Caribbean with broken booms and other significant damage.

This is where the ARC -Atlantic Rally for Cruisers operates.

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by macymacysails

I am looking for advice on how to approach my planning process in sailing across the Atlantic Ocean solo west to east in the summer of June 2023.



This is a big proposition...and it is a big goal of mine. Here is some background:


I have been sailing for the past 1.5 years typically going out in the San Francisco Bay doing weekend overnight sails with my dad on 30-40ft cruisers.

Do it on someone else’s vessel/money. You can get delivery work as crew. A few 10 day trips. You’ll have a better idea of what is needed for a solo run for longer cruise.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by stormalong

Sailing the traditional Canaries towards Cap Verde and turning west towards the Caribbean is one of the roughest passages of the traditional sailing routes. Usually done just after the hurricane season. I have done it three or four times and it has always been rough. The last time I did it a boat named Northern Lights broke it's rudder and was abandoned. It washed up in Barbados a few months later. During that passage wave trains came from two different directions, from different storms and sleep was nearly impossible. A lot of boats arrive in the Caribbean with broken booms and other significant damage.

This is where the ARC -Atlantic Rally for Cruisers operates.

How many times West to East...
Last time I did the trip was headwinds nearly all the way..
Have experienced 5 day long storms between Bermuda-Azores that had me laying ahull in 60kt winds.. fewer boats lost E-W than W-E..
November is to early for E-W..

[dlj]

I was going to jump in earlier but post 4 nailed it - troll -

It's now three pages later and no sign of the OP - shame -there are indeed some interesting comments for someone actually interested in the subject...

dj

[goboatingnow]

East west is relatively easy. ( done 2) As typically it’s down wind. West east can be difficult if aiming for northern Europe post Azores and you run into prevailing storms.

[Charlie_Hemby]

It can be the most exciting trip. I think you are courageous.