Conn. to Bermuda?

[honukai30]

Hi there,
I have some basic questions about sailing, from New Haven Conn. to Bermuda.
any takers?

[Faster]

Suggest you formulate your questions here, you may get a better response. Your initial post is rather too general. Also letting us know what boat you intend to make this trip on, your own level of experience and when you want to do this will help everyone to make their advice relevant to your situation.

[davidpm]

I've done Bermuda to guilford so ask away

[jimrafford]

Done it twice. Crossing the stream can be an adventure. What boat are you considering using.
Jim

[honukai30]

Hi there,
This is a hypothetical sail.... If I was leaving...
Goodsell marina in Conn. On a 48ft Catalina. in summer,lets say July heading southeast to Puerto Rico
I would need to know wind direction for that ime of year, currents flow,magnetic and true headings, The answers to theses questions and any added information, would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Honukai30

PS someone mention passing the gulf stream is an adventure alone?
would a course north to south, just be beating to weather?

[killarney_sailor]

The timing is terrible, you would be nicely into hurricane season then. We got involved with the first tropical storm of the year around July 7th a number of years ago. It was not forecast when we left NYC, passed between Bermuda and the mainland where you would be going. One sailboat was dismasted and others had some damage. You either have to go earlier and give yourself enough time to get far enough south to be out of the hurricane belt (say Grenada) or have a plan to deal with the risk if you are going to stay in PR. The other option is to leave the US after Nov. 1. This can be a tough sail because of the season and not to be taken lightly (although no trip to Bermuda should be taken lightly). BTW, if you have insurance they will not let you be south of Cape Hatteras (or some other mark) before Nov 1 or Nov 15 or Dec 1 (depending on the company).

I think your hypothetical really does not work and you need to do a lot of research to figure out your options.

[jimrafford]

Better do a lot more research. Rong time of year to be heading into the Atlantic from coastal New England. Also not sure I would want to go thru what I experianced crossing the gulf stream on a Catalina. I know it can be done but I don't think I would want to be on it. Just sayin.
My experiances were on a Cambria and a Swan. On the cambria, we spent a day on deck, in 15 to 25 foot seas, a wash on the windward rail. I would not have wanted to be in that on a lesser boat.
Jim

[paulk]

Newport-Bermuda race (and others) are generally set in June. This provides the opportunity for favorable weather - though the weather is not always favorable then either. Crossing the Gulf Stream is different each time. I've crossed reaching at 8 knots with smooth rollers stretching in the sun as far as you can see, and spent 24 or more hours (hard to keep track) beating into 25 knot headwinds and rain with the boat falling off the top of every other wave in an 8' chop. Sometimes it's flat calm. Other times there have been three (count'em, three!) waterspouts in sight at the same time, and darkness coming. Rain and thundersqualls to 50 knots... These experiences were in fully crewed, tough, well designed and well-built boats like Whitby 45's, Swans, S&S custom designs, Little Harbors, and an Ohlson 38. You are right to ask questions first. Ask lots of questions.

[davidpm]

I did a bermuda to guilford return trip after the newport bermuda race two years ago.
We had 7 people on a Farr 395. We had 3 shifts we were exhaused. The boat sounded like it was breaking up it was being hit so hard.
It was extremly uncomfortable.

[honukai30]

Hey thanks for all the responses!
Okk remember this is a hypothical sail.
Can someone set up the best time of year
Maybe the best boat or boats, a best and worst case
Scenerio.
Thanks again.