Newfoundland Via Greenland To The Azores

by John May 18, 2005

Question: We plan to sail from St. John’s, Newfoundland mid-June straight to Sisimiut, Greenland direct, if possible. From there spend July and August sailing slowly to Cape Farewell from where we plan to leave bound for the Azores. Any comments?

Newfoundland To Iceland Direct

by John May 18, 2005

Question: Is heading from the Strait of Belle Isle towards a point about 200 miles south of Cape Farewell, then heading towards Reykjavik, a practical strategy given your experience with wind, weather and ice?

Maine To Ireland In June

by John May 18, 2007

Question: I am a 46 year old professional in fairly good health and in good shape. I am wanting to reverse the steps of my great-great-grandfather, sailing from Belfast, Maine to Bantry Bay, Ireland. I plan to leave June 3rd, 2011. What is my best/safest route? What time frame should I use? I have calculated [...]

Newfoundland To Europe Via The Azores In June

by John May 18, 2007
A map of the North Atlantic showing a route Newfoundland to Spain via the Azores and another showing Newfoundland direct to the UK.

Question: We would like to seek your advice on my next summer’s trip from Newfoundland to the Azores, then on to Europe. We left our boat in Newfoundland last year and plan to leave for Europe in June to avoid the hurricane season.

Autumn Crossing Of The North Atlantic, West To East

by John October 18, 2007
A weather fax map of the North Atlantic for October 06, showing a hurrican force storm.

Question: I am planning a west to east North Atlantic crossing and have read that most yachts leave in May and June. What about leaving in mid-September or early October? Is that still a possibility? Ideally I would like to cross from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Britain.

Timing, Caribbean To Europe

by John February 18, 2008
A map of the North Atlantic showing two possible routes from the Caribbean to Europe, one via Bermuda and the Azores, and one direct.

Question: What is the best time of year to sail from the Caribbean to Europe?

Best Time For A West To East Atlantic Crossing

by John April 18, 2008
Front cover of the RCC's The Atlantic Crossing Guide.

Question: I will be sailing to Gibraltar from the Chesapeake via the Azores. When would be the best time to leave and when would be the earliest I could/should leave?

Picking A Sailing Route Across The North Atlantic, West To East

by John May 18, 2008
A 500 mb forecast weatherfax map from May 10, 2008.

Question: We’re planning to sail from New York to Falmouth (UK) leaving around May 18th. Our plan is to sail WSW out from New York till we hit the Gulf Stream and then attempt to sail the great circle to Falmouth. We’re debating whether to consider a more southerly route to stay clear of weather [...]

Picking A Weather Window For A West To East Atlantic Crossing

by John May 18, 2008
Starpath Weather Trainer computer-based learning program.

Question: I’m planning an Atlantic Crossing from Boston to Scotland. How can I recognize the best moment weather wise to leave for the safest crossing?

Risk Management, Hurricanes

by John July 18, 2008

Question [received July 11, 2008]: We’re in St. John’s, Newfoundland, waiting to cross to Scotland. We’re just about ready to go and the weather forcast is good for leaving. However, Hurricane Bertha is just south of Bermuda. The current forecast is for her to weaken to 55 knots within four to five days, and stay [...]

A Late West To East Atlantic Crossing

by John May 8, 2010
westtoeast_thumb.jpg

Question: I am a fairly experienced Swedish sailor;  however, I have never “crossed the pond”. We have decided to buy a MacGregor 65. There are several for sale at good prices in the US, but very few in Europe. We will miss the most appropriate season [to cross the Atlantic]. Hence, I want to ask [...]