Gibralter to Cape Town

[GarthGregory]

Hi Guys ,

I a new member to your community - so a little background perhaps - I am mid 60 s and fit ,I have sailed all my life . I own a Beneteau 473 ,which I bought new at the end of 2006 , the yacht " Cape Infanta " is currently based near Corfu - Greece . I have done all my own maintenance over the past 8 years and have a sound mechanical background and have o/hauled a number of engines myself etc .

I am considering sailing my boat from Gibraltar To Cape Town,leaving Gibraltar approx mid August and would probably be singlehanded from the Canaries onwards .
1. Has anyone in the forum had any first hand experience of the route .
2. Assuming 2 months duration,is an August start date a good time re weather?
3.Any opinions on the sail options
4.Any opinions on kit -AIS -Radar- Water makers.
5.Any experience re the attitude of the Insurance Companies
6.Comments on anything else.
Look forward to your input

[boatman61]

Which route are you taking.. Gib-Canaries-Cap Verde-Brazil-Cape Town..?
OH.... Welcome to CF..

[RDW]

Insurance is a problem for solo sailing I hear.
rdw

[boatman61]

As long as you've Liability/Third Party Insurance you'll be fine..
else you may have trouble clearing into Ports..
Folk should never venture on these trips with more than they can afford to lose..

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, GarthGregory.

[seacottage]

I live in Cape Town and have circumnavigated and owned a sailboat for many years. To avoid the cold fronts (North Westerlies) do not arrive in Cape Town before December and even then watch out for Black South Easters (summer storms) which can be very bad.

[GarthGregory]

Correct Gib - Canaries - Cape Verde - Brazil - Cape Town , I am a bit worried about arriving in the Southern Ocean ( 35 Degrees ) around the end of Sept / early Oct :smile

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by GarthGregory

Correct Gib - Canaries - Cape Verde - Brazil - Cape Town , I am a bit worried about arriving in the Southern Ocean ( 35 Degrees ) around the end of Sept / early Oct :smile

Chill in Brazil awhile.. or have you a schedule..
Oh.. hang on.. just read late August start from Greece... should be in the Cap Verdes October.. don't sweat it.