Crossing the Atlantic – Passage Planning
Vanishing Point Sailing across the Atlantic is one thing but getting to the jumping off point of the Canary Islands has troubled sailors since Columbus’ time. Don Street explores the options
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rossing the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean can in many respects be viewed as the easy part of the trip – the downhill run if you will. Getting to this jumping off point in the first place is often far more challenging. This article explores both getting to the jumping off point and also routes across the Atlantic and has been drawn my personal experience of seven trade wind passages on four different boats. The first passage in 1956, last passage in 2005 plus more than sixty years of reading about and discussing with sailors trade wind passages to the Caribbean. As a first golden rule, all boats should try and get across the Bay of Biscay by mid September when the fall strong gales are likely to start.
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Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting OCTOBER JUNE 2021 2021
The Irish Sea route
Boats from Scandinavia should leave from the Skagerrak, sail approximately 250 miles to Scotland to Inverness, then 90 miles across Scotland, combining loch sailing and Caledonian Canal. Through the Scottish Lochs Ness, Oich then Caledonian canal, exiting at Corrah
BELOW The Caledonian Canal is a beautiful route to the Atlantic from Scandinavia
near Ft William. This is an interesting trip, 38 miles of sailing through the Scottish Lochs with magnificent scenery on both sides, 22 miles of Canal, 22 locks. Canal width 34’, lock length 150’ depth 15’. Once through the canal you need to head south through the North Channel, with interesting Scottish
