Sailing Tactics on the Mayflower

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by carstendenmark

But the guy Columbus claimed to be the first to visit America...
I don't agree.

We weren't talking about Columbus at all.

[Stellar1970Cat]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Thanks, very useful. The Mayflower was probably quite a tub to sail compared to warships of the age.


From your linked threads, I found this very interesting:


Attachment 247188


From this post: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...tml#post766893


Shows a square rigged ship getting upwind off the coast of Finland during one of the tall ship races. Less weatherly even than the worst of our cruising boats, I think.


So I guess that Ping nailed it -- heave to and wait for favorable wind. That must have been the tactics.

Talking about Finland, this part of translated lyrics of Tapio Rautavaara song just about sums it up:
"
(Before there were men of iron
The ships were made of wood.)
Hiio-hoi!
(Wood are men now
And the ships are iron-hulled
Hiio-hoi!)

[carstendenmark]

I agree, Dockhead
We skip the Columbus talks.


Back to track, the prevailing winds are SW in that track.
Still today. Despite Gretha Thunberg and followers.


If a through comes by, it may have delayed the journey of the Mayflower, but not much.


Sailing head winds are not an issue, when crossing the pond that way, unless you're in a hurry.

Just stock up, and await whatever condition comes by.
The weather will bring you to Europe, even on a raft. Make it big !

[sailingabe41ds]

Remember they were suppose to land near the Hudson River in Virginia not Plymouth Mass. They almost had a mutiny because some felt they did not have to pay back their company sponsorer since they were is the wrong place. So they sat out there for several days till they created the Mayflower Compact.
I guess there gps was off a little so they missed the landing by several states...well they didnt have states then but you get the point.

Abe

[sailingabe41ds]

Anyone mention how much the currents played into their tactics ....
abe

[SeanPatrick]

Originally Posted by sailingabe41ds

... they were suppose to land near the Hudson River in Virginia ...

Perhaps you meant between the Hudson and Virginia?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by SeanPatrick

Perhaps you meant between the Hudson and Virginia?

No, it was a trick post, but he was right!


What is today New York, was Northern Virginia in 1620. The Hudson River was in Virginia.

[SeanPatrick]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

No, it was a trick post, but he was right!


What is today New York, was Northern Virginia in 1620. The Hudson River was in Virginia.

Ah, thanks! That didn't even occur to me.