Two ways crossatlantic in 24 feet

[Balthazar]

Hi cruisers,

Could someone share an idea about the return way from USA to UK on a 24 ft sailboat?

I plan a crossatlantic next year on a Achilles 24 (please, no comment about how I'm freaking mad. I know I'm mad and I'm happy with) as follow:

UK - Bay of Biscay - Canaries- South America (Probably French Guyana).

The question is the return. What period and what trajectory? So, this is the question: how would you, folks plan your return way and at what time of the year?

Doing the return immediately? Lift the boat out in some marina, wait for the next year and come back at some time?

I was considering to send the boat by container but way to expensive. And no question to sell her up there as some people do. So, I want to sail back to UK.

Any suggestions will be really helpful

Thanks for reasonable advice.

[Balthazar]

She's cool, isn't?

[Sailmonkey]

I don't have advice, but I'd do it too!

[tamicatana]

Check out Rory MacDougall, who has not only done Atlantic crossings, but has circumnavigated in a 21 foot cat

Rory And Cookie
Cookie's Jester Challenge 2010
Rory McDougall returns home - James Wharram Designs

[Billy Higgins]

Don Street recommends staying south, no matter what the boat. Bermuda if you must, then the Azores, then NW up to Cornwall or southern Ireland. Skip the gales, fog, and shipping that are too common up north on the great circle route.

[majdrew]

Ahoyhoy,

I did it last year in a 23 footer. As you probably know there are 2 or 3 options really..

You could shoot up the gulf stream north of Bermuda and Azores and follow it right across the Atlantic towards British Isles non-stop.

You could go to to Bermuda, then go north to pick up the gulf stream then direct to UK or detour south to Azores then UK.

You could go to Bermuda then head on a rhumb line or great circle to Azores then UK.

Myself, I went to Bermuda (10 days from Palm Beach), then north to pick up the gulf stream and direct to UK. It took five and a half weeks from Bermuda to Brixham.

But I had a steel boat much heavier than yours with a huge keel. I ran into half a dozen gales up there and very large seas. I wouldn't want to be up there in your boat. Go north and generally speaking stronger westerlies, favourable current, colder, more gales. South to Azores less wind and warmer but slower.. generally..

My boat I felt the northern route would be best for me.. In your boat I would go to Bermuda then rhumb line to Azores then UK. Yours would cope better with the lighter winds than mine and less with the gales.. is my opinion anyway.

Lots to think about though.. good luck!

[Balthazar]

Thanks for advice, majdrew, very appreciate that!
Could I contact you at some later stage of prep just for get some tips? Vould be great.

Thanks, mate

[majdrew]

Absolutely, anytime. PM me whenever you want. All the best!

[pressuredrop]

Originally Posted by majdrew

Absolutely, anytime. PM me whenever you want. All the best!

mark on barak?

[Balthazar]

Originally Posted by majdrew

Absolutely, anytime. PM me whenever you want. All the best!

great, thanks

[majdrew]

Yes.. hello pressuredrop that's me! I've been looking at your avatar but I don't recall the boat.. you're in WPB... well I never.. I still can't think..

[majdrew]

Btw Balthazar.. if you do go to Bermuda let me know.. there is a small spot alongside a wall in centre of town (St George's) enough for half a dozen boats if rafted (I was there for a month). It's the only free spot in town and not known by most, otherwise it's very expensive.. and there's a friend I'd like to pass on a helloo to..

[Balthazar]

Ok, mate, I plan to leave the next year about end of summer, spend the winter preparing the boat, install the windvane etc. So I expect to reach Guyana in oct, the gona see for return via Bermuda.

Anyway, I will write you trough PMs, it will be of great help!
By the way, are you based in UK?

Thanks

Oleg

[majdrew]

Hi Oleg yes I'm a Brit (limey for our US friends!) based in London.
Cheers!