Ocean Crossing windows

[theartfuldodger]

Was wondering where one might find info on times to cross the Altantic Ocean via the Northern route to Europe, and from Europe to the US Virgin Islands. Further looking for the window to sail the Pacific from Mexico to the south Pacfic islands. Its time to start setting my five year sail plan, at present we are in Newfoundland. Our boat is a 33 Morgan O/I

[camaraderie]

Jimmy Cornell's World Cruising Handbook and World Cruising Routes are your bestbets for the info you require. Also...visit his www.noonsite.com website for country specific issues and updates to both of these volumes.
http://www.amazon.com/World-Cruising.../dp/007140869X

[billyruffn]

Cam's right -- Cornell is the best comprehensive source, but should you want more "primary source" material, see two other threads at this site:

NGA Sailing Directions, URLs for direct downloads (General Interest Forums - Cruising)

and another one near that one from which you can download NGA Pilot Charts.

Type "NGA Pilot Charts" in the search engine and then download the pilot chart for the month you might consider the crossing. Pilot charts have a wealth of info about weather, winds, currents, etc all in easy to read graphic form.

Conventional wisdom says the following:

1. North America to Europe via northern route -- summer (late May to August)
2. Europe to Caribbean -- late fall/winter via the trade wind route (Gibraltar to Canaries in September / October and Canaries to the Caribbean in late fall/winter. The ARC leaves the Canaries in late November, but you can cross anytime from then until the late spring provided you're out of the Caribbean hurricane box by June).
3. Pacific crossings from Mexico are dictated by the No. Pac. hurricane season, which generally coincides w/ the Atlantic hurricane season. You wouldn't leave Mexico before November and no later than April to be clear of the hurricane box by May 1st. You also need to consider the So. Pac tropical storm season -- you shouldn't arrive in Fr. Polynesia before late March/April and must be out of the tropics south of the Equator by November.

[SimonV]

By billyruffin:
Pacific crossings from Mexico are dictated by the No. Pac. hurricane season, which generally coincides w/ the Atlantic hurricane season. You wouldn't leave Mexico before November and no later than April to be clear of the hurricane box by May 1st. You also need to consider the So. Pac tropical storm season -- you shouldn't arrive in Fr. Polynesia before late March/April and must be out of the tropics south of the Equator by November.

Thats the plan, but try to be at Brisbane, Australia or father south by October to be safe.

[Nottoway]

Pilots charts are a great resource but I always have to remind myself what an "average" wind speed is. I see 15 knots on the wind rose and think "Sounds good!" whereas the average may be made up of winds of 25 knots and 10 knots--which it usually seems to be on my passages.

[billyruffn]

By Simon: Thats the plan, but try to be at Brisbane, Australia or father south by October to be safe.
--------------------

I'd stay away from Oz if I were you. All sorts of strange animals, lots of poisonous snakes, jellyfish that will kill you quick, sharks, salt water crocs, hot, dry and teeming with flies --- all up, a truly gastly place. New Zealand is a much nicer place to sit out the cyclone season.

[SimonV]

Not for me, California, Mexico and home, back to god’s country. I have been bit by a Red Back spider, chased by an Eastern brown snake, stung lots of times by different jellies, swum with sharks and swallowed flies. Crocs, their just different.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by SimonV

Not for me, California, Mexico and home, back to god’s country. I have been bit by a Red Back spider, chased by an Eastern brown snake, stung lots of times by different jellies, swum with sharks and swallowed flies. Crocs, their just different.

I'm with you Simon. NZ is not as safe as they try and make out. Look at this, vicious brute, take you arm off as soon as look at you.

[SimonV]

That is one big budgie.

[mbu745]

Hello, we're from Europe and want to buy a sailboat in the States. I looked for a Morgan O/I, strong build boats, but I wander if a 33' is bigg anough for 2 people to live confortable. We tought of a 35' boat, or a Pearson 365, even an 37'. I looked aswell for Sabre, Endaevour, Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus. We aren't "boaties" and need plenty of information. Now we're in Australia on holiday, since September 2005, and want to go to the States end 2008 to buy the boat. Regards. Willy