When and where?

[ontherocks83]

What resources do you use (i.e books, charts, web sites, old salty people etc..) for knowing when and when not to sail in or to various locations. If you want to sail from Newport to Bermuda, cross an ocean, or go to your favorite destination, how do you find what season/months are the best time to do so.

As usual thank you in advance and smart alec remarks are always welcome

[StuM]

All of the above

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by StuM

All of the above

I guess I asked for that one, good show

[tkeithlu]

Ahh, the joys of trip planning. There is no single source, so you scramble research it - Google, charts, marina guides, salty sources, questions on CF, and it all goes on the dining room table for measuring and plotting and......planning. It's fun.

[ontherocks83]

Maybe my first post was a little ambiguous. What I meant was which books, charts, websites etc...

[N1774]

They are known as Sailing Directions, Pilot Guides or Books or Planning Guides.

Try here for North America Maritime Safety Information the Admiralty will also have a similar comprehensive publication.

[StuM]

OK. To check for likely weather conditions in an area, tunnel down from here on an area and select a time period:
Climatology of Global Ocean Winds - COGOW

To check on local requirements:
http://www.noonsite.com/

Since you mention Bermuda, here's a sample:
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Bermuda

For route planning, Admiralty Sailing Instructions (Pilots):
Admiralty Saling Direction Guides and Pilots For All Major Waters

Then most cruising areas have "cruising guides" written by people who are very experienced in particular areas. Typical ones in Australia would be:

Alan Lucas Cruising Guides – Updates

Right here is also a good source. You will find people here with local knowledge of just about every cruising destination in the world who are happy to answer your questions.


That should get you started

[zeehag]

first off, knowing something about weather and patterns like when a hurricane is forming, and when they form, is kinda important.
there are somany inputs. these are part of sailing. as you increase your knowledge base you will learn when and where and how. have fun and good luck.

[ontherocks83]

Thanks Stu

Its taken a while but the wife has finally seen the light, she has agreed and wants to get a boat after the kids are out of day care, (that bill is more then a very healthy boat payment ) What she hasn't agreed on yet is how far the boat will travel with her on it. She hasn't warmed up to the idea of doing a passage................yet

So in the mean time it's planning for possibilities and potential cruising grounds. I'll definitely be seeking more collective wisdom as time goes on.

Keep the info and suggestions coming.

[tkeithlu]

There have been threads recently from cruisers with specific route questions, or general advice about a specific route. When that happens, people who know that water quickly chime in with advice. When you get to that point, do take advantage of the wealth of local knowledge available on CF.

[Paul L]

Cornell's Worlds Cruising Routes is always a good place to start