Atlantic Crossing Forum
We had a group of about 80 At Island Water World who are intending on sailing from St Martin in the Caribbean to Europe this season. I co-presented with Mike of Quinn the designer of Nimble Navigator “Navstick” an integrated USB chart plotter, GPS and included charts.
Resources and notes are in files below.
My presentation I promised links and things, so here you go: Notes, resources PDF or in a Word File
The Azores High shown in this GPX file is mine. It was adjusted every day at sea and for weeks prior to the passage. The position moves and your course needs to move and follow it. My line is about the 10 knot wind line of the High. I sail about 100nms to the left of it and divert into it if a gale comes our way. GPX File for a chart viewer / plotter Right click and download
Above you can see my 2017 plot with 2023 weather laid over it. It still works. Into the Azores is 34 knot winds. Far too strong to enter the unfamilier harbour. But in the Yellow of the High you will see the winds are much lower. The Black line is a diversion I made to avoid a gale.
Very interesting afternoon, yesterday.
Thank you for the good presentation. A question occurred to me. How do you keep yourself physically fit on board?
I think the sailing keeps us fit. I think the calorie count goes from 2,500 per day to 4,000 or 5,000.
Sailing is a workout as your body moves to the rhythm of the waves 🙂
What kind of bread did you have on board? I find baking bread rather difficult on the tour. Alternatively, I know of durable wholemeal bread and not so long-lasting baked baguettes.
We are lucky that we don’t eat bread!! 🙂 We are on a Low-Carb diet so have no need to make it.
I did try to make some yeast pancakes but the batter moves in the bowl while rising and the bubbles burst. 🙁
That being said, you should be able to make bread as easily on a boat as at home. The saloon table for kneading and maybe let it rise for an hour longer, and/or use 2 sachets of Dry Yeast.
We bought some large thin cutting boards (1 mm thick) we use on the benches/table to mix, knead etc.
Also remember theres Crispbreads in boxes that will store. 🙂
With out Low Carb diet it took a little while to learn to eat pate, smoked salmon & creme fraiche without bread/crackers. But it is easy after a while 🙂
Mark