Yachting in the Atlantic and along the coast: what to expect and what to be prepared for?

Ocean romance

Surprisingly, among many even avid yachtsmen there are many prejudices and myths regarding crossing the Atlantic or traveling along its coast. Some of them have a real basis, some are only a consequence of outdated information, but still continue to live in people’s heads. 

One of the main myths is that traveling across the ocean is an adventure of a lifetime. The path will be long and thorny, dangerous and unbearable, and generally only the most experienced and powerful sailor can do it. But it’s true that the size of the ocean is decent. The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest after the Pacific. 

Plus the Atlantic is really rough. Such an adventure requires careful preparation and a high level of skipper skills. However, the impossibility of conquering the ocean is a bit exaggerated. In general, a sailing catamaran with a trained crew on board will need about two weeks for a leisurely long passage. 

Can a beginner cross the ocean?

Let's start with the fact that the concept of “newbie” is very loose. For some, this term describes a person who has barely learned to sail, but for others, even experienced navigators from the civilian fleet can be ignorant in yachting, even with extensive navigation experience. In any case, crossing any ocean is a very serious undertaking that must be approached responsibly. Such a task definitely not for a beginner.

If the dream of crossing the Atlantic on a yacht does not leave you, but you don’t have enough experience, then an excellent option would be to join a team of more experienced yachtsmen. For example, while participating in a regatta. Usually, after such an “experience” (there is no other way to call it), people can more accurately judge the advisability of crossing the ocean on their own. In any case, it all depends on your preparation and desire! 

In this article, Interparus will share interesting myths and prejudices regarding crossing the ocean or long passages along the Atlantic coast! Spoiler alert: some of these myths aren't such myths after all.

We are sailing with full sails and a fair wind!

Having looked at the maps of the winds that blow in the Atlantic, some unlucky yachtsmen for some reason decide that they will sail the entire way with a tailwind. Indeed, there is part of the truth in this - if we cross the ocean from east to west, then the predominant wind direction will be east, that is, relative to the yacht it is a tailwind. 

However, not in all cases and far from always the conditions overboard are ideal. Atlantic winds can be strong and harsh enough to independently adjust the yacht's route without your participation. You will definitely need all the skills of a skipper to cope with a tailwind and, of course, a tail wave. And in the Atlantic the wave is by no means small! 

In addition, a common misconception is that tailwinds are good. In theory, this is probably true, but practice proves the opposite. The thing is that sailing with a tailwind can be more difficult due to the fact that the wind blows in the same direction as the yacht's movement. In this case, a likely scenario is that due to lack of wind pressure, the sails may simply lose their shape. The driving force of a tailwind will not be enough, which will complicate maintaining the stability of the yacht.

In the case of a headwind, this will not happen. A headwind will provide the necessary level of wind pressure, allowing the sails to maintain their shape. An experienced sailor can sail equally confidently in a tailwind or a headwind, but this is not an easy task. By the way, when crossing the Atlantic, do not forget to take a full set of sails - gennaker, spinnaker, code Zero and storm sails. 

One set of spare parts is enough

No no and one more time no! When crossing the ocean, you need to be prepared for anything. Preferably with a full set of repair equipment and a repair kit for the repair kit. You will be alone with the elements; any breakdown or malfunction is fraught with serious consequences.

To feel more confident and calm, you should actually have spare parts and parts for spare parts. It is better to take a lot of really necessary equipment and never use it, than to get into an emergency situation and not have what you need on hand.

Everything is expensive in Europe

Let's say you start your journey across the ocean on a yacht in Europe. You bought groceries at the local supermarket on the Atlantic coast and hit the road. While you are heading towards the treasured Caribbean/Mexico coast (substitute your own option), the supply of provisions is gradually melting before your eyes. 

And now, you have reached the nearest store on the other end of the ocean. Hoping to buy cheaper, you discover price tags and your eyes gradually begin to pop out of their sockets: “It turns out that it wasn’t so expensive in Europe!” Indeed, to the surprise of many yachtsmen, it turns out that the cost of provisions in the Caribbean, and especially in remote areas, can be very high. 

The Caribbean islands, as well as a number of states located in the Caribbean Sea, are almost completely dependent on the import of goods from outside. And this import, in most cases, is subject to high taxes. As a result, we have high prices and hundreds of dollars that you will leave at your local store. 

In order not to spend money on food and essential goods during the trip, take care of provisions while still in Europe. You will save a lot of money if you allocate resources correctly. 

Insurance is the easiest part of the trip

No matter how it is! Many people generally forget about insurance when planning their adventure. However, insurance, especially when crossing the ocean, is an extremely important thing. We assure you that it will be quite difficult to obtain it. This is influenced by everything: the experience of the skipper, the experience of the crew, the condition of the boat, the direction, the route, the time of year and the expected time of crossing, safety equipment and much more.

The cost of insurance can also be an unpleasant surprise. Before you set off to conquer the Atlantic, take the time to study the financial and legal aspects of the issue, as well as finding reliable insurance.

Finance shouldn't sing romances

Forget about being able to cross the ocean with $10 in your pocket and catching fish for food. We have already described above what you will have to spend money on, but this is not the limit. The most difficult and unpleasant thing is unplanned expenses. For anything and for any reason. 

From souvenirs from locals in the Caribbean to unplanned sail repairs. All this costs money. If you go to the Atlantic with insufficient funds, you risk not only jeopardizing the safety of the crew, but also losing the very experience of crossing the ocean.

The only correct decision when planning a budget is to calculate the total costs in advance and immediately add 50-60% to them from the resulting amount. 

Pleasant and warm sunshine

Pleasant and warm sunshine at the beginning of the cruise can turn into a sizzling monster at the end. The sun is both friend and enemy in one bottle. Be sure to stock up on sunscreen. Bimini is a must. This also includes hats and panamas. 

It is essential that there is always something to drink on board. Drinking water is the key to survival in the ocean. In addition to water, we can recommend drinks with a high content of electrolytes. These include, for example, coconut water. These fluids will help prevent dehydration.

Anchorage is a daily paradise

It is unclear where the statement came from that an anchorage in the Caribbean is always an ideal place with an ideal view and an ideal bottom. Alas, this is not entirely true. Very often, anchorages along the entire Atlantic coast can be quite dangerous due to those same seasonal winds. 

When choosing a parking location - a parking lot or a marina - proceed solely from practical considerations at the moment. If you feel that despite the serenity of the evening, it is better to wait out the night in the marina, then do not neglect your intuition. Not all anchorages are reliably protected from waves and wind.

Killer whales will break the boat and eat you yourself

A common and relatively young myth. It arose against the backdrop of abnormal behavior of a group of killer whales off the Spanish coast. However, despite the widest habitat of these marine mammals, they show their violent tendencies only in a small area near Spain and Gibraltar. 

Indeed, there have been isolated cases of attacks on a yacht as far away as the UK, but there is no reason to believe that these are systemic attacks. In any case, we recommend that you read this and this material to know how to behave when meeting killer whales.

In short, don't panic. Killer whales can cause serious damage to a yacht, but so far there have been no sinkings.

Either way, crossing the Atlantic is truly an experience of a lifetime. The most important thing is preparation and confidence in your abilities, supported by your experience. Remember that safety comes first and that all restrictions are only in our heads. Seven feet under the keel!

New video on Interparus channel

Straight from Marseille we recorded an impromptu video for you about the new exhibition! The boat show featured many boats from well-known brands, including Dufour and Fountaine Pajot. All the most interesting things are inside!

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07.12.2023