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How to master the Atlantic Circuit: Best Routes & Timings for Your Sailing Adventure
December 14, 2024 · 9 min · 69K views
What this video covers
Successful Atlantic circuit planning relies on timing passages to align with the Azores High, which dictates wind patterns across the North Atlantic.0:38 East-to-west crossings from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean are most stable between November and May, utilizing consistent trade winds.2:43 The 2,700-nautical-mile direct route typically takes three weeks of downwind sailing.3:47 Alternatively, stopping in the Cape Verde Islands adds an 800-nautical-mile leg followed by a 2,100-nautical-mile crossing.4:27 West-to-east return crossings are more complex due to the horse latitudes and the volatile jet stream.1:25 The standard return route requires sailing north from the Caribbean to Bermuda, then turning east toward the Azores between late April and early June to avoid both late-winter gales and the onset of hurricane season.5:37 A northern alternative involves sailing from Bermuda to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, then completing a shorter 1,250-nautical-mile crossing to the Azores in July or August.8:23 Proper route selection balances seasonal weather windows against the risk of encountering storms or extended periods of calm.
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