Bermuda

[rgranger]

I got to thinking about something. I've read so many books on ocean crossings, I have World Cruising Routs, The boats they sailed in, The Pardy's books, and a lot more....I even have Slocum's book... and it occurred to me that you almost never read of anyone going to Bermuda. The typical story...you cross over to the Azores, Down to Gibraltar, then the Canaries and back to the Caribbean.

So I went to Google maps and took a look at the satellite images of Bermuda. The place seems jammed full of mansions w/swimming pools. So somebody must think it is a great place to visit.

Anyone here made the trip?

I'd really love to hear about it... a quick study of "Active Captain" leads me to believe it is only about 600 kmiles from Elizabeth City NC... so it seems odd that more people don't sail there... or if they do I have not heard more about it.

...and please don't admonish me for thinking my small boat is sea worthy. I know it is not a suitable vessel for open water.

C-ya on the (coastal) waters,

r

 

[RECESS]

It is a 4 to 6 day crossing through often heavy seas. It is a sailing destination and there are races that run there. Probably not something that is done often by coastal cruisers as is a jump over to the Bahamas.

 

[Joe]

Tania Aebi's first leg of her circumnavigation ( read "Maiden Voyage") was from NYC to Bermunda... normally a five day voyage, it turned into a 14 day storm tossed ordeal as she relied on a compass and radio direction finder to find the small group of islands.

Although it is a beautiful place, I don't think it offers the vast cruising possibilities of other areas. Bermuda to the Azores is a common leg also for those returning to Europe from the Carribean.

 

[Bill Roosa]

You answered your own question

It is 600 NM east of Elizabeth City NC. which makes it COLD. If I'm going to spend my time and $$$ I'm going some place WARM with lots of destinations not somewhere COLD or even COOL with only a few. Not to mention the passage being note as unplesent in many race journels.
I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in the view that while the "Frostbite Series" of Bay racing may have its followers they are in the minority (and are totally crazy)
With that said it would be a great way to introduce your spouse to a really bad sailing experience on his/her first ocean voyage.
In the Army we "crawl, walk, run" in that order. I'd put Bermuda as a run.

 

[Buck420]

In addition to a number of races,
ie... Newport - Bermuda, Marion - Bermuda, Annapolis - Bermuda, etc., it IS a cruising destination.
I crewed out there back in the late 80's on a friends' 42' Westwind Vagabond.... 4.5 days from Norfolk.
The best time is June. Before then, you still risk late Spring cold fronts; after June, you risk Hurricanes. We went out in mid June, had a comfortable ride out, stayed about a week, then had rough ride back.
It's a great destination, albeit, very expensive.

 

[wflowe2]

I made the trip this November from Newport. We hit six days of high winds (25-55kt) and huge rough seas. Temperature was mid 40 to low 50. The trip took 7 days and was miserable until we were practically in Bermuda. Bermuda is beautiful with mild (this is their winter) temps around 75 and water in the high 60s. The people are very friendly and helpful. You cannot rent cars which is a good thing but you can rent motor scooters which is a bad thing--Folks drive like nuts on very narrow roads. They have a great bus system that allows you to easily travel the entire island. The down side; since everything is imported, everything is very expensive. It is not a great place for shopping.

 

[Chuckbear]

It is 600 NM east of Elizabeth City NC. which makes it COLD. If I'm going to spend my time and $$$ I'm going some place WARM with lots of destinations not somewhere COLD or even COOL with only a few. Not to mention the passage being note as unplesent in many race journels.

Bermuda's position on a line of Latitude has little to do with temperature. It is surrounded by warm water which has a greater affect as does the prevailing weather patterns. We have been there in the winter and it is quite pleasant and a trip well worth doing. Temps average upper 70s for high and mid to upper 60s for lows. But the trip in the winter months has a much greater potential for bad weather in the north Atlantic. We had a fantastic sail over in November of one year with light to moderate winds on the beam the entire trip and we only had to adjust the sails once to enter St. Georges Harbour. Chuck

 

[Ed Schenck]

You wouldn't want to be sailin' there this week: http://www.weather.bm/ .

I always thought of Bermuda more as a jumping off spot. But if you look at all the sailboat charter websites it seems there is plenty to do there.

 

[Chuckbear]

WNW 35 to 45 with gusts to 55. A sleigh ride. Chuck

 

[Caboteur]

Bermuda in summer

Hi,
Bermuda is a great summer destination; fall & winter weather make it a dangerous destination for smaller vessels. I've been there & out further or back thrice. Had storms and frontal passages but mostly a lack of wind.
Mid-May to mid-July is probably the best time-frame to make the passage out & back.
This is an open-sea passage and shouldn't be taken lightly. Your boat is big enough to do it: it's usually the crew that is not up to the conditions... it is 24/7 in what can be very variable conditions.
You should have enough petrol for 48 continuous hours... electrical generating device... safety and first-aid equipment... a self steering device would be nice.
I'll be back in the Bahamas on January 5th; when I sail back in the spring, I may just make it 4 times! :dance:
Pierre

 

[rgranger]

Good info guys:

As always.... THANKS

I think I've gotten a clearer picture why Bermuda is a plan B destination for many. I may give it a try someday but I think I'll spend this summer on the Atlantic coast.