Bermuda trip

[will parker]

I am trying to work out the best course for a trip from South Florida to Bermuda, a rhumb line distance of about 874 nautical miles on a heading of about 60 degrees mag from West Palm Beach. I've had advice to ride the Gulf Stream north to Charleston and turn east, but that would seem to add many miles to the trip even if you add a knot or two to your speed. The rhumb line course seems more attractive unless there is something out there (the doldrums?) that I don't know about.
Does anyone have any experience, ideas,or advice based on reading?
Thanks,
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD30



whidlenp@flinet.com

[Bill S.]

You could get as much as a 3 knot boost from the stream. For our speed-demon boats, that's a 60% increase in speed over the ground. All things being equal, using the Gulf Stream, you could go 1400 miles in the same time as your 874 mile trip without help from the stream. All things are never equal, though. Windspeed and direction as well as the actual current in the stream will have a huge impact. The best course to sail will depend on how all of these factors converge at the time of departure.

Having made the trip (in about 5 days in a CD 33), the rhumb line from Walker's Cay worked out very well without a single tack or diesel noise. We were lucky.

Talking to the winners of an Annapolis to Bermuda race, I found that they won the race because they went hundreds of miles off the rhumb line to catch the best winds. A good weather forcast can cut hours (days) off the trip.

Have fun. It's a great trip.

Bill
CD 28 "D.Ann"



shambora@ohio.edu

[john doyle]

I am trying to work out the best course for a trip from South Florida to Bermuda, a rhumb line distance of about 874 nautical miles on a heading of about 60 degrees mag from West Palm Beach. I've had advice to ride the Gulf Stream north to Charleston and turn east, but that would seem to add many miles to the trip even if you add a knot or two to your speed. The rhumb line course seems more attractive unless there is something out there (the doldrums?) that I don't know about.
Does anyone have any experience, ideas,or advice based on reading?
Thanks,
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD30

I used to sail out of W.Palm Beach & found the stream moves between 3 & 5 knots. With the right winds the streem can be used for a good distance on a Bermuda trip. Not a fun place to be in a strong north wind, but who would try to sail N.E. in a N. wind.
john
cd31 #18 bonnie blue



redzeplin@yahoo.com

[will parker]

Thanks, John, for your reply. You are right, the Stream is no place to be in a north wind. I have crossed it many times to the Abacos, once in a 15 kt NE wind. Never again with any component of North
Thanks,
Will
"Jambalaya"

I used to sail out of W.Palm Beach & found the stream moves between 3 & 5 knots. With the right winds the streem can be used for a good distance on a Bermuda trip. Not a fun place to be in a strong north wind, but who would try to sail N.E. in a N. wind.
john
cd31 #18 bonnie blue

whildenp@flinet.com

[Will Parker]

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the sharing of your experience and it will clearly help me choose a route.
Will
"Jambalaya"

You could get as much as a 3 knot boost from the stream. For our speed-demon boats, that's a 60% increase in speed over the ground. All things being equal, using the Gulf Stream, you could go 1400 miles in the same time as your 874 mile trip without help from the stream. All things are never equal, though. Windspeed and direction as well as the actual current in the stream will have a huge impact. The best course to sail will depend on how all of these factors converge at the time of departure.

Having made the trip (in about 5 days in a CD 33), the rhumb line from Walker's Cay worked out very well without a single tack or diesel noise. We were lucky.

Talking to the winners of an Annapolis to Bermuda race, I found that they won the race because they went hundreds of miles off the rhumb line to catch the best winds. A good weather forcast can cut hours (days) off the trip.

Have fun. It's a great trip.

Bill
CD 28 "D.Ann"

whildenp@flinet.com

[Jon]

Bill,

That sounds like a great daily average. Does a CD33 really put that much water under the keel on a passage? I'm jealous now - I have to get myself on a 33 and point it at Bermuda!

Cheers,
Jon
CD25 Sovereign

[Al Smith]

Thanks, John, for your reply. You are right, the Stream is no place to be in a north wind. I have crossed it many times to the Abacos, once in a 15 kt NE wind. Never again with any component of North
Thanks,
Will
"Jambalaya"

I used to sail out of W.Palm Beach & found the stream moves between 3 & 5 knots. With the right winds the streem can be used for a good distance on a Bermuda trip. Not a fun place to be in a strong north wind, but who would try to sail N.E. in a N. wind.
john
cd31 #18 bonnie blue

I suggest that you take a look at the pilot charts for the dates of your trip. They will tell you the best route. As for me, I'd ride the stream as far as Jennifer says, and then hop off to grab an eddy.



saylr@adlelphia.net