{"id":134413,"date":"2021-10-07T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T07:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?p=134413"},"modified":"2023-11-28T08:38:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T08:38:43","slug":"how-to-cross-the-atlantic-in-short-hops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/cruising\/how-to-cross-the-atlantic-in-short-hops-134413","title":{"rendered":"How to cross the Atlantic in short hops"},"content":"An Atlantic crossing<\/a> is \u2013 rightly \u2013 considered a bit of an epic. An east-bound crossing, often even more so. But by following the seafarers of old, on what is pleasingly known as the Viking Route<\/a>, it\u2019s possible to cross from tropical Florida or metropolitan New York to Europe with less than a week at sea at any one time.\r\n\r\nThat's not to say it's an easy option. A high latitudes voyage into the North Atlantic demands respect and serious preparation to sail in remote areas with increased risk of severe weather and sea ice. But the rewards can be spectacular.\r\n\r\nAlberto Duhau sailed his Hylas 63 <\/span>Shaima<\/span><\/i> from Florida to the Mediterranean<\/a> one summer, by heading north along the east coast of the US, across the North Atlantic via Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland, then south to Europe via the Faroe Islands. Here\u2019s how he did it:<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_134521\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" 1 Newfoundland to southern Greenland<\/b>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nDuring July, high pressure is typically centred just south-west\/west of the Azores with ridging extending south-west\/west towards Bermuda. There is a weak high over Greenland, with low pressure generally over north-east Canada (Baffin Island to northern Quebec) and near Iceland. <\/span>\r\n\r\nTo the north of the Azores high, the prevailing winds are west\/south-west for much of the way to Iceland. Wind is usually stronger south of the rhumbline, and lighter to the north. July offers the lowest chance of gales, but occasionally stronger lows develop and move east\/south-east from eastern Canada.<\/span>\r\n

2 Greenland to Iceland<\/b><\/h3>\r\nFor this passage the main concern is the north-easterly wind near Greenland\u2019s Cape Farewell. If the Greenland high pressure system is stronger than normal, beware of north-easterly winds along the south Greenland coast of 25-30 knots plus. <\/span>\r\n\r\nArticle continues below...<\/em>\r\n\r\n
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\r\n\r\nExpect light conditions heading east toward Iceland. If south of the rhumbline, there is greater chance of stronger westerly\/south-westerly winds, while a northerly route is more likely to encounter north-easterly\/easterly headwinds.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_69998\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"335\"]\"\" Packing up the sails, Northern Iceland[\/caption]\r\n

3 Around Iceland and to Faroes<\/b><\/h3>\r\nCircumnavigating Iceland at the end of July and beginning of August is the optimum timing with the smallest threat of gales, but you may have to wait out bad winds for a day or two for a window. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe roughest weather is associated with low pressure passing to the west, north-west, or west, which correspondingly means the strongest winds are south-westerly, westerly, and north-westerly.<\/span>\r\n

Avoiding\u00a0North Atlantic storms and ice<\/b><\/h3>\r\nAlberto Duhau enlisted the advice of expert meteorologists in advance of his north Atlantic trip. He knew the voyage was possible in good conditions, but wanted a second opinion regarding timings.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nResearch revealed that the region\u2019s quietest weather historically occurs between mid-July and the first 10 days of August. However, settled conditions can run from late June to the end of August. Autumn develops earlier the farther north you are, so it is generally a good plan to turn south by the second half of August.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nDuhau also contacted the well-known expedition support High Latitudes for help with ice routing between Newfoundland and Iceland. Founder and experienced pilot Magnus Day joined the crew for this part of the cruise.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u201cIce is possible anywhere from Nova Scotia to about 150 miles south and east of Cape Farewell,\u201d Day warns. \u201cAll ice should be regarded as dangerous to small vessels.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nIce charts are available from the Canadian Ice Service (<\/span>ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca<\/b>) and the Danish Maritime Authority (<\/span>dma.dk<\/b>) and are useful as a guide, but must not be relied upon. Radar is also a useful tool, but it may not pick up even large pieces of ice in certain conditions.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIce in the Labrador Sea will usually be thicker along the Newfoundland and Greenland coasts. Commanders\u2019 Weather recommends heading due east until around 45\u00b0W, then turning north.<\/span>\r\n\r\nMagnus Day broadly concurs. \u201cA wise tactic to lessen the chances of encountering ice is to head square offshore until outside the reported ice zone, then more or less parallel to the axis of the Labrador Sea until adjacent to your destination, before turning in square to the shore again.\u201d He recommends motoring if the wind is light.<\/span>\r\n

\"\"<\/h3>\r\nDay\u2019s other top tips include:<\/span>\r\n