A Son de Marvideo
105. The Weather and the Voyage. Javier Suárez, meteorology technician.
May 29, 2025 · 1h 17m · 18 views · Portosín
What this video covers
Meteorologist Javier Suárez joins host Jorge Uría days before departing Portosín, A Coruña, aboard a Hanse 46-1 named Lembora for a 400-mile Bay of Biscay crossing to Camaret-sur-Mer, Brittany — a 3–4 day cruise with a crew of five.6:19 Suárez explains the Bay of Biscay's meteorological character: the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) drives the polar jet and determines whether Atlantic lows track north or south, with summer conditions generally more benign.7:16 He identifies Cape Finisterre as a specific hazard at departure — even a well-established high can generate strong winds just before rounding the cape, prompting the crew to consider adjusting departure timing by hours.18:13 For passage planning, Suárez uses pilot charts for climatological baseline, French and Spanish weather bulletins (noting the importance of French vocabulary), and Windy for short-range forecasting.11:36 He distinguishes cruise planning from race routing: cruising allows conservative strategy choices, while racing demands weather-routing software and higher risk tolerance.14:13 A second segment covers Javier Manso's training expeditions aboard Claudia, including a Santander–La Rochelle round trip of roughly 195 miles each way, completable in five days, with tidal currents at La Rochelle's harbor entrance highlighted as a key learning element.48:19 Departure timing relative to Finisterre's cape effect is the most actionable pre-passage variable Suárez identifies.17:54
Boats in this video
More from A Son de Mar
From A Son de Mar — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.