Frequently-Asked Questions:

What are the differences between passages?

Fall Passages, New England to Bermuda, Bermuda to the Caribbean:
The northern leg is more unpredictable than the southern. There is usually a mix of rough and good weather because it is common to have a front cross one's path once a week that time of year. That creates great learning possibilities. Also, crossing the Gulf Stream offers unique weather and navigation strategizing.

When the winds are strongest, they are usually in the northern quadrant, which is no problem for these boats. Most often, the winds are from the southwest to north, which makes for a reach of some sort. Rarely do you get strong winds on the nose on a fall trip to Bermuda, unless an unanticipated low forms and decides to cross close or to the north. In this case, if the winds are particularly strong, a good option may be to heave to and wait 6 to 12 hours for the system to pass rather than press the boat and crew hard beating into it.

Night watches leaving New England can be quite chilly. Once we reach the stream half way, things warm up noticeably.

The southern passage is usually quite a bit warmer, of course. A late-season tropical system can affect navigation decisions, and possibly delay departure from Bermuda. Fronts can still affect the area, but once we get south of 30 north, winds are often somewhat easterly which allows for great reaching. If the Atlantic high is particularly strong, winds can maintain some 25 knots for days. This creates a large swell, but the waves grow big and round, not steep and breaking, and it can be quite exhilarating.

The big advantage of the northern passage is multiple weather and navigation possibilities and a fabulous landfall, however, the passage is short and seems to end just when the crew becomes acclimated to life at sea. The southern passage offers a fantastic departure point as well as final landfall. It's long enough that you really get the feel of an ocean passage. It usually takes 2 to 3 full days to become acclimated to the ocean, even for experienced sailors, and it's nice to be able to fully enjoy the experience for a while once acclimated.

If you sign up for both legs, you are likely to get a couple of days to enjoy yourself in Bermuda while staying on the boat. Also, it's worth noting that airfares from the US Virgins are usually more affordable than those from Bermuda, depending on the length of the flight, of course.

Spring Passages, Caribbean to Bermuda, New England and the Chesapeake:
Spring brings wonderful weather, generally, which is often punctuated by fronts or squally conditions as we get farther north. A calm might last a day or two which makes a good time for celestial work and an occasional whale sighting if we're observant. Winds are usually from favorable directions, although a front can bring northwesterlies for a day or more. Northbound sailboats spend that time beating to windward.

Although a late-season blow is always a possibility, sailors heading north in the spring don't have to worry about tropical activity since tropical storms don't form in the Caribbean until the summer sun warms the waters. Low-pressure systems coming off the mainland, as well as Gulf-Stream crossings, must be treated with respect, as always, which makes for exciting weather and navigation strategizing.

Spring temperatures in the mid-latitudes are unpredictable--sometimes it's hot, sometimes it's quite chilly--and sailors have to be prepared for any type of weather. Squalls are common, and, although they are small in size, they can pack quite a wallop. Sailors have to be ready to throw in a reef on short notice.

Unlike Caribbean islands, Bermuda's popular season is the summer, and spring is a great time to visit. Similar to fall passages south, signing up for both legs allows some time to enjoy Bermuda while staying on the boat. Since it takes 2 or 3 days to become acclimated to the ocean, longer passages offer the full experience of life at sea.