Trans Atlantic passage advice needed

Old Sailor 2

Old Sailor 2

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Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
My wife and I are considering taking our boat to Europe and spending 6 months there on the boat then 6 months back in the states visiting family and friends. We need to get advice on whether it is best to sail our 42 Passage across the pond either direct from BVI too Canarri Islands or going up the east coast to Nova Scotia to Greenland and that way ending up in France or Italy. Do we ship the boat and meet it there, sail it there, or sell it in the states and buy a boat in the med? Lots of questions but your thoughts and advice are certainly welcomed and sought after. Thanks, sandy!
 
Navicula

Navicula

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Dec 14, 2011
316
Navicula 430 Hunter Toronto
good question.....I cant help you but I would like to read the reply;););)
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
http://h2ofrance.com/p_list-boats-for-sale?id_lang=2

Consider purchasing a used canal boat that you can keep over there. Continental Europe is connected by a series of canals and rivers that permits you to travel from country to country and stopping at major cities along the way. The above is just one of the dealers in France so you may get an idea of what is available and the prices. It is rather inexpensive to keep a boat in France year around, especially in small towns as the fees for dock space and caretaker services are very reasonable. Go ahead and Google Canal Boats. Some of the boats are the equivalent of a trawler and capable of coastal cruising as well. This may or may not suit your long term plans but jus consider it and perhaps explore it as an option.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
BVIs to Canary islands is upwind the ENTIRE way. No one does that. There are two routes eastward, both go over the Azores High.

 
ben solomon

ben solomon

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Jul 27, 2013
298
Hunter 37.5 1065 Rock Hall, MD
I am researching this myself. It is 500 NM to Bermuda then 1800 NM to the Azores. This seems to be a popular route. The good part is that if you are en route to Bermuda and there are issues, there is a layover within reach. There is a book I just ordered, world cruising routes, in it's 7th edition, that everyone raves about.

The other issue we will all have is the electricity. Europe uses 50 hz and we have 60 hz. You will need a transformer to use shore power in Europe, unless you have enough solar/wind to deal with your energy needs.

As a side note, I have 37.5 legend of the 1989 vintage.

Ben
 
A

artboas

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Jun 1, 2009
1,841
Hunter 49 toronto
I have done four transatlantics. All from the comfort of a megayacht.
I strongly suggest shipping. The wear & tear on the boat, blues weather issues are all very big things to think about.
You will need crew, food, fuel, wear & tare.
Shipping has become very reasonable
 
ben solomon

ben solomon

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Jul 27, 2013
298
Hunter 37.5 1065 Rock Hall, MD
Artboas,

That is a great accomplishmnet! Isn't it all worth it when you make landfall on the other side? By blues do you mean days on end at sea?

Ben
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Sorry, but it is hard for me to imagine shipping a blue-water capable boat anyplace. Time is usually a limiting factor, but does seem to be so for you. Unless health issues dictate otherwise, read the pilots, pick a good wx window, and sail it to your destination.
 
J

John Howitt

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Jul 1, 2007
169
hunter 29.5 Nanaimo BC
I have done one crossing from Malta to panama.
There are events such as , the Atlantic Rally Crossing. ( ARC)
They meet on a central location, and then set off in a group.
They go both directions, and help would be close by.
 
bananabender56

bananabender56

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Oct 3, 2011
75
Tayana 52 Jax
ben solomon said:
I am researching this myself. It is 500 NM to Bermuda then 1800 NM to the Azores. This seems to be a popular route. The good part is that if you are en route to Bermuda and there are issues, there is a layover within reach. There is a book I just ordered, world cruising routes, in it's 7th edition, that everyone raves about. The other issue we will all have is the electricity. Europe uses 50 hz and we have 60 hz. You will need a transformer to use shore power in Europe, unless you have enough solar/wind to deal with your energy needs. As a side note, I have 37.5 legend of the 1989 vintage. Ben
Click to expand
A transformer won't alter the frequency so for any synchronous motors you have they will slow down coming from 60 to 50Hz.
 
D

dfrancis23

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Aug 19, 2013
32
oday 23 nockamixon
bananabender56 said:
A transformer won't alter the frequency so for any synchronous motors you have they will slow down coming from 60 to 50Hz.
Click to expand
most modern electronics handle the Hz difference without issue( BUT CHECK YOUR BOAT ).
Step up/down Xformers are cheap in the EU look for the yellow boxed ones, rated for workplace/industry, pretty cheap and last a lifetime
 
J

John Howitt

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Jul 1, 2007
169
hunter 29.5 Nanaimo BC
Butane instead of propane over there.
We had to convert the boat on Barbados.
Wasn't a big deal.
 
A

artboas

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Jun 1, 2009
1,841
Hunter 49 toronto
Shipping is a good idea

Warren Milberg said:
Sorry, but it is hard for me to imagine shipping a blue-water capable boat anyplace. Time is usually a limiting factor, but does seem to be so for you. Unless health issues dictate otherwise, read the pilots, pick a good wx window, and sail it to your destination.
Click to expand
The west to east passage can be very rough, depending on time of year.
Timing & weather routing is extremely important.
Do your homework, and talk to many people who have done the crossing
 
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