Looking at this table we can clearly see that the time it takes to cross the Atlantic has decreased exponentially. Some big developments were of course the steam engine that allowed for bigger and much faster ships to travel the Atlantic while also bringing a lot more cargo.
If we look at the Sailboats in this list, we can see that the more hulls you have the faster it goes (if you want to know more about how that works, check out this article)
There is not a significant difference in time to complete between the catamarans and the trimarans in the short run, but in a circumnavigation of the world, the difference can be huge.
A monohull on the other hand is slower, this is mainly due to the amount of drag this type of hull has.
This table compares different types of boats under the same conditions and adds an airplane as a point of reference.
Here are the records for the fastest crossings of the Atlantic in a Sailboat.
5d 14h 21min 25s | Comanche | Monohull | 2016 | 21.44 knots (39.71 km/h) | |
3d 15h 25min 48s | Banque Populaire V | Trimaran | 2009 | 32.94 knots (61.00 km/h) | |
4d 11h 10m 23s | Sodebo Ultim | Trimaran | 2017 | 28.35 knots (52.50 km/h) |
The 2880 Nautical miles(5330 Km) long route starts at Ambrose Light in New York and finishes on an imaginary line between Lizard Point and Ushant of the coast of England
As you might have noticed, there aren’t any numbers for catamarans since the classes are divided between monohulls and multihulls. Since trimarans (three hulls) are faster than catamarans (two hulls), there is no real point in racing a cat.
What you also may have noticed are the ridiculously high speeds these boats are doing. Bear in mind that these are racing boats optimized for speed and made to smash world records.
There’s a big difference between the 28 knots a racing trimaran will make and the 9 knots a cruising catamaran will.
Crossing the Atlantic can be done in almost any sailboat or ship. As a matter of fact, it has already been done in small rowboats and open catamarans, so everything is possible.
If your question is what boat should I use to get a somewhat comfortable and safe trip, well, then we have something to talk about.
Choosing between a monohull or a multihull has more to do with personal preferences. Some people really like the stable platform of a catamaran, and others dont think it’s a real way of sailing and wants to be heeling over to its side to fully get that true sailing experience.
For me? Catamaran every day, speed, and comfort, but I’m also not a purist sailor in any way. I’m an adventurist, and the boat is merely a way to experience adventures.
The size I would say matters, bigger usually means it’s safer and can handle bigger waves, although it might be harder to handle on your own I something happens to you or your crew mid-sea.
Most people seem to cross the Atlantic with a boat in the 35 -45 ft spectrum, which fulfills both requirements!
If you are interested in digging deeper into what sized boat you should get, check out my article on Best Sized Catamaran for Ocean Sailin g
Other aspects you might consider are the size in terms of space onboard , how many people are you doing the passage with, the more people, the easier operating the boat will be. This assumes you have a well-trained crew that you know well.
And what are you going to do once you get there, is it the end of your trip or is the beginning. If you’re doing everything just to cross the ocean and then get someone else to bring it back, that’s one thing. But if its the start of a long adventure, the requirements are different. You are going to want more space for scuba gear, and other toys.
I do think the most important aspect is that you have a seaworthy boat that it’s capable of withstanding weeks on end with sailing in many times rough conditions.
This means that your equipment spent has to be the most expensive and handy, but it needs to be in good condition, and you need to be able to handle your great in every weather.
Not including your average stuff when sailing, such as life vests, etc. There are some great that you might not be on your everyday say m still that could be of high importance during such a formidable sail as this.
Westward route: europe to the caribbean.
According to Jimmy Cornell, a well-known sailor and circumnavigator that has made his own research on the subject, Las Palmas is one of the biggest ports of departure for sailboats crossing the Atlantic.
Around 75’% of the sailboats that arrive in Las Palmas on the Canary Islands will depart for an Ocean crossing.
Getting to The Canary Islands, you should not be in a hurry; there are many very beautiful places en route. No matter where you are coming from this is a good stop well worth a visit.
Coming from the north of Europe, you have France, Spain, and Portugal. Entering from the Mediterranean, you have Italy, Croatia, Greece, and so many other interesting places that you shouldn’t miss unless you’re on a very tight schedule.
Once you reach Las Palmas, you can either go straight towards the Caribbean island of Barbados, or you can do a stop along the way at Cap Verde.
A stop at cap Verde makes sense in many ways; for one, it makes the transatlantic trip more manageable by dividing it into two sections.
The second reason is that it gives you the possibility to stock up on fuel and water that you might have used more than you thought. Since Cap Verde is well developed when it comes to receiving boats doing this type of passage, there is no technical expertise on the island.
From Cap Verde, you can also take a direct flight to Portugal and onwards if the need arises.
Even though you might not plan to stop here, the recommendation is to at least plan your sailing, so you pass close to the islands, so if something happens, you can head to Mindelo port and fix it.
Another good reason why you would go close is that the further south you go, the better chance you will have of catching those sweet tradewinds that will take you safely and enjoyably to the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Sailing west is the preferred option for any sailor and especially if you are on a boat that doesn’t sail perfectly upwind, such as a catamaran.
Sailin g west and using the tradewinds is perfect on a catamaran, the sail will be faster and more comfortable than a monohull of the same size.
Looking at the 2019 ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), a 55ft french catamaran outclassed the 65 ft professionally sailed monohull with a 10-hour lead. All this while doing yoga on board, something that I can promise was not happening on the monohull.
The stable platform of a catamaran with the wind on your stern makes sailing west on a transatlantic passage perfect for Catamaran.
Coming back to Europe, I would argue that the same principles are still valid: to stop at or pass by islands close enough to have the option of going into port if need, and using the tradewinds to your advantage.
Considering this, most people leave the Caribbean from Tortola, Britsh virgin islands, or St Marteen. These make great starting points for the eastward journey since they are the last point where there is plenty of fuel, spare parts, and food for the long and sometimes arduous trip back to Europe.
Though it is not necessary, many sailors make a halt at Bermuda; this is a good start to fix anything broken or wait for the right weather before your head on to the next part of your trip.
The Azores, the same goes here, you can skip it, but staying close to it adds safety and comfort if needed, and I would also stop by just to enjoy the islands. It’s a beautiful place and good for a few days of low-intensity cruising.
If you still have some energy left after the trip from Bermuda, one option is to head for a place called Horta. The place is well remembered for its hospitality towards sailors heading towards Europe.
Once you have refueled on diesel and energy, it is time to head for northern Europe. This is usually done by sailing north until the 45th latitude and then heading east.
Choosing a route has a lot to do with your intended purpose of the trip, are you going for a speed record, then going more north might be an option, and accepting the risk might be ok for you and your crew.
If you are going west but more interested in doing it safely and are able to spend a little more time out at sea, then the southern routes mentioned above with a departure date around November and December.
Going west on your way to the Caribbean, you’ll notice the days are getting warmer and longer; this is because going west, you also travel south towards the equator where the days and nights are equally as long be it summer or winter.
This weather window is to avoid the hurricane season in the Caribbean that ends in late November, these are the main risk and must be considered in your plan.
Taking into consideration the information above with trade winds, the possibility of breakdowns, and the collective knowledge of the area.
The best route for a westbound Atlantic crossing is from Las Palmas (on the Island of Gran Canarias) to Barbados Via Cap Verde. The best route going east is from St Marteen to the Azores Via Bermuda.
This is, of course, based on the assumptions we have discussed above, and it might not apply to your skillset or aim of the crossing.
You can definitely cross the Atlantic on your own (short-handed). As a matter of fact, many do every year. Of course, this demands more of the sailor since there is nobody to ask for advice or to help while underway.
Neither is there anyone that will help you with handling sails or maintenance while underway; because of this, it is more dangerous and more difficult to solo sailor sail short-handed as it is also called.
The usual way is to either bring a crew of your own, recruit a crew from the port of exit, or find one online via crewseeker.net.
Sailing in big oceans is never a hundred percent safe. This is why it is an adventure if it was absolutely safe, where would the attractiveness and the excitement lie?
Looking at the data, there aren’t many accidents happening, and of those, there are even fewer that are deadly or leave the crew injured for life.
There are also ways to make it safer; we have discussed boat size and crew skills; other route selection factors are vital. It might not be the quickest to cross the Atlantic, but the southern route seems to be a safer bet.
Prepare yourself, your crew, and the boat, and the chances for accidents will still be there, but they will be small and manageable.
Spending two to three weeks in the middle of the ocean can definitely be lonely, but it can also be the absolute opposite. If you’re sailing with a crew, you will share the same small space with everyone else, always bumping your elbow. If the weather is rough, you may all be a little tired, which also adds to the group dynamics.
But even if you would get sick and tired of your crew, there are ways to call back home. You might have a Satellite phone, which is expensive by the minute but a lovely way to hear the voice of a loved one back at land. Much better than a text message through Email.
Sending emails has been a pretty straightforward process since the SSB radio started to be utilized. This type of radio is very simplistic and has good reception up to thousands of miles .
The nice thing with this radio is that it allows for data traffic, which means not only are you able to receive weather updates, but you can also contact your family through Email.
Yes, there might not be a coast guard or anything nearby, and you might be way out to sea, but there is help to get. Since every ship is listening to some set of frequencies, usually, the first step is to call for a Mayday on that channel.
If you’re not getting anyone’s attention, then they might still see you on the AIS, Automatic Identification System, which makes anyone around you know where you are.
Many times the crossing is done together with a lot of other vessels; this gives comfort as they might also be able to help in case of emergency.
If all this fails, you probably also will have your EPIRB, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon , which is a gadget that can be activated through certain triggers such as water, tilt angle, or manually activated.
Once activated, it sends an emergency signal at different frequencies and relays the information back to shore for someone to come help you.
Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!
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Some people can't simply settle for a regular, run-of-the-mill superyacht like all the other millionaires and billionaires — they need something a bit flashier to set them apart from the crowd.
For those people, there are yachts like Adastra , a sleek, custom-built trimaran that's currently on the market for a cool $12 million.
The extravagant vessel — which looks less like a yacht and more like something out of "Star Wars" — is built for exploration, according to Burgess Yachts , which has the boat listed for sale. Due to its streamlined shape and lightweight construction, Adastra can travel across the Atlantic twice over without needing to refuel. Plus, Adastra's unique design means it can venture into shallow harbors and get up close to islands, unlike most traditional yachts.
But this multimillion-dollar yacht is built for pleasure, too — it sports multiple sunbathing areas, a diving platform, a lavish main room, three cabins for guests, and space for six crew members.
See inside Adastra:
Source: Robb Report
Experienced cruisers often discover Kadey-Krogen Yachts because they begin to search for yachts capable of crossing the Atlantic. If one searches the listings for Transatlantic boats for sale or contacts a broker with a very specific request to hear about yachts that can cross the Atlantic, they’re bound to discover plenty of superyachts, and some custom trawlers, and, of course, a selection of our models that are built to take on long bluewater cruising legs such as one takes on for an ocean crossinig.
Those who are more serious about open-ocean crossings begin to think about the best time to cross the Atlantic west to east and also consider provisioning, crew, a timetable, potential destinations, and all the factors, large and small, that enter into this exciting equation.
You’re looking for a way to go across the Atlantic without flying. What options are out there? Here are 7 options explained. I sailed five of them across the Atlantic.
Many privately owned sailing vessels cross the Atlantic to spend a sunny sailing season either in the Mediterranean or Caribbean or as part of their around-the-world voyage. It is a big deal for them and attracts all sorts of seamen and women: young ‘pirate’ dudes who have escaped the rat race, adventure couples, retirees, families, groups of friends, and single older sailors.
The largest share of the captains is between 50 – 65 years old. It’s the group that has the time and money resources to sail. All sorts of nationalities make the crossing, with the French and Swedish seeming to dominate the fleet.
By crewing on a small sailing yacht, you’ll be involved with every aspect of seamanship and sailing. You will learn a lot for sure. Many boats choose to stop in Cape Verde or the Azores, and often don’t have tight schedules.
Boats come in all sorts of shapes and materials. Hulls are made from steel, wood, aluminium, and today mostly of fibreglass. 90% of the boats crossing the ocean is bigger than 36ft, with most of them measuring around 44ft. (14m).
A smaller yacht could also be perfectly ocean-worthy. I’ve seen boats of 26 ft. crossing the pond. Some adventure people row across the Atlantic. In 2017 someone even Stand Up Paddled (SUP) across the Atlantic. Being on any boat is a luxury compared to that.
Six people (out of 100) I interviewed in my book crossed the Atlantic on a boat smaller than 36ft. and all of them would like to do it again. This year we also have Nadiem, Ocean Nomads member who’ll sail across in his little sailboat.
Both monohulls and catamarans cross the Atlantic. Catamarans are generally faster, more spacious, and rock less. On the flip side: they can flip! If they do, it’s a major challenge to come up again. Don’t worry, this is extremely unlikely. Having seen hundreds of boats planning, preparing and making the crossing, I estimate that roughly 70% of the boats that cross are monohulls.
With Ocean Nomads we sometimes have small liveaboard sailing vessels looking for crew in the network to sail across, or members recommend a vessel from their networks.
In our brand new Ocean Nomads Crew Course , I share all the tips and tricks for finding and securing a safe sailing vessel with which to sail as crew. Eco & Adventure style. Proper preperation makes all the difference for a happy, safe and meaningful voyage.
Sail with me & Ocean Nomads in Greece in 2024! Level up your sailing skills and make ocean people connections accelerating your sailing journey. 4 vessels, 11 days, 30 nomads! Learn More.
Many larger yachts cross the Atlantic as a ‘delivery’, where a boat needs to be taken from point A to B. Boats have to be moved across the ocean for a new charter season, for the private owner who will hop on board again on the other side, or because someone bought it on the other continent.
Usually, paid and professional crew do these types of deliveries. As an amateur crew member, you can be a cheap extra set of hands.
A yacht is a ‘superyacht’ when it is over 24 metres (79ft.). These are big yachts. They often have generators running every day to keep fridges and freezers going. They load up thousands of litres of fuel and water, and are less dependent on the wind.
As such, there is less risk and generally more comfort. These trips often run on a tight schedule, so there won’t be much flexibility for stops along the way (like in Cape Verde or the Azores). In most cases, there will also be more people on board (five-eight people compared to three-five on smaller vessels).
Crossing on a big boat like this is faster, less adventurous, and more comfortable. The crew are often younger, and some live and work permanently on the boat. Many of them have crossed the Atlantic Ocean numerous times and are therefore less excited about it than the average ‘yachtie’.
Timelines are tight and there’s often not time for island exploration. Usually, you are expected to work hard. Also, it’s not unusual that superyachts don’t even use the sails to prevent damaging, and have the sails tip /top for when the owner comes on board.
If you would rather not have the pre-crossing adventure or spend too much time searching for a boat, and/or if money is not an issue, you can book a charter ocean passage. Charter trips are organised on all sorts of boats: small, big, monohulls, catamaran, and racing boats.
Numerous racing yachts cross the ocean reaching boat speeds up to 35 knots! In addition to professional crew, spots are sold and you can sign up for a wet and speedy adventure guaranteed.
A charter trip costs between €2,000 and €10,000. An organized trip like this could be advantageous if you’re on a tight schedule. It’s more likely to leave on the planned date.
At the same time, the time schedule could be a disadvantage. What if the weather window is not ideal to leave? In many cases, though not always, everything is taken care of such as provisioning and cooking, so you wouldn’t have to figure out much yourself.
Charter organisations need to comply with a lot of safety requirements and check ups to legally carry out the voyage. This assures some safety but still you need to do your homework if it’s a safe ride.
Another consideration of booking this type of passage is that you won’t know your shipmates. When you search the adventurous way, you have the opportunity to meet the other sailors before you commit to joining the crew. On a chartered passage you’re stuck with whoever else has booked the trip, even if you don’t like them.
With Ocean Nomads we work together with SV Twister and have the following Atlantic Crossings planned .
Every year, numerous tall ships sail across the Atlantic, like the Stad Amsterdam or Oosterschelde, and this year also SV Twister :) . Sailing across on a large traditional boat is spectacular. Many young people work on the tall ships. You could either try that or buy yourself a passage.
I wrote the above in my book, a friend of SV Twister reached out to me. Long story short, last year 2022/2023 I, with Ocean Nomads, organizing a trip across the Atlantic, Caribbean sea, and back across the Atlantic , and I now experience this way of sailing across also. You can join this trip in 2025 .
Update! We’re back from the Atlantic. And we made a film about it:) Here is a the film about Sailing the Atlantic with Ocean Nomads. My 5th Atlantic crossing.
There are no sailing ferries (yet), although boats are being built for this purpose. At the time of writing, Voyagevert is conducting feasibility studies to construct the fastest and largest sailing catamaran for a ferry service as a sustainable alternative to flight for transatlantic travel. Also Fair ferry is looking into it.
Another kind of ferry are the cruise ships. More and more cruise ships cross the Atlantic to do the season on the other side. They need relocation and spots on board are sold as ‘repositioning cruises.’ It’s often cheaper than airfare and your house rent combined. One option that is cool, is ‘ Nomadcruise ,’ an Atlantic crossing for entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
These floating cities are not an environmentally friendly way to cross. It takes around eight days and a lot of noise to cross with a cruise ship. Data on emissions is remarkably difficult to find. Some sources state that an average cruise ship at sea emits more, and less filtered, smoke than one million cars combined each day.
In a one-week trip, a large cruise ship generates ten backyard swimming pools of blackwater (raw sewage) and 40 more swimming pools of greywater (water from sinks, baths, showers, laundry, and galleys). It also generates large volumes of oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and noise.
More cargo ships cross the Atlantic than sailboats. This is a non-sailing ship option that can take you across. Cargo ships usually rent out a few cabins to passengers. This costs a few thousand euros. Travelling with a cargo vessel can be a good alternative if you want to cross the ocean, don’t like sailing, and do not want to fly. Prepare to be surrounded by engine noise. Crossing on a cargo would take one to two weeks. Depending on the weather, cargo and size, cargo vessels run between 15-25 knots .
There are also sailing cargo Atlantic crossing possibilities out there. ‘ Tres Hombres ‘ is a 32 metres Schooner transporting traditional goods like rum and chocolate between the Caribbean and Europe. Timbercoast is a 1920 built 43.5m Schooner that transports goods like coffee and gin. Both ships welcome crew on board helping out with this sustainable way of transporting goods.
“What kind of boat are you joining?” This was the first question most people asked me when I told them I was going to cross the Atlantic Ocean by sail. At the time, I knew nothing about boats, and thought “Does it matter? I just want to make the passage!” Having sailed across on five completely different boats across the Atlantic, I know now that the type of boat determines large part of the experience.Not just because of the boat, but because of the tasks and people involved with that type of boat.
My preference is to crew on a smaller monohull sailboat of 40-44ft – basic but adventurous and on these boats, I’ve met the coolest captains. Monohulls are more fun to sail. It’s easier to ‘feel’ the boat as opposed to a catamaran. It’s kind of like a scooter versus a quadbike.
Smaller boats generally allow for more exploring and socialising time around the harbour- since there’s usually less work to be done. This is the adventurous way of travelling by sailboat where you go with the weather and with others as excited about the adventure as you. I sailed as crew on these kind of sailboat for years ( Here is a video summary of my story ).
At the end, it’s the people who make the trip! In my survey amongst 100 Atlantic ocean Crew & Captains who have done it, almost everyone answered to the question: “what would you do different, if you’d go again?” “I’d take more time to find the right vessel, with like minded and value sharing people.
Finding a boat is the easy part, finding the right and safe vessel aligned with your vibes and values, is the main challenge. With Ocean Nomads we now created a toolkit to help you dip your toes into the ocean nomads lifestyle , happy, safe, and meaningful.
Here’s what I and ocean nomads have created for you to help you get out there, happy, safe, and meaningful.
It’s that time of the year again when many head south and west to follow the sun, catch the tradewinds, and realize ocean dreams.
Travelling an ocean on someone else’s sailing boat, or taking a stranger on board is not a straightforward endeavour. To be ready to expect the unexpected, careful investigation and preparation is essential. Four Ocean Crossings and 30.000 Miles of boat hitchhiking on dozens of vessels, as well as organizing crew for +10 different trips now, I figured out a few things, and keep learning:).
Here are the latest waypoints to help you on an ocean adventure, fun & impact:
NEW in 2024! The Sailboat Travel Crew Prep course.
I help you transition from being new to sailboat travel to a confident crew member securing a position safe, soon and sustainable. All my sailing lifestyle crew tips condensed into one pack.
Ps. If any of the above has helped you, I’d love to hear so! Make a comment, leave a review on @oceanpreneur or @oceannomads.community, fill out the big Atlantic Ocean Crew survey
🧜♀️Ocean & Eco 💙 Explorer Tips & Tales 🗺️+15yr Fulltime Adventurer by Sail & Van 🧭Sail with me & @oceannomads.community in Greece October ‘24⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️
Hi! My name is Suzanne. I'm here to excite and guide you into slow travel adventures, in tune with nature. 🗺️+15yr Fulltime Adventurer by Sail & Van 🧜♀️⛵️🚐✨🏕️
Sail with me in greece | 4 vessels | 35 nomads oct. 2024.
Next post why sail the ocean 12 reasons to jump on board an atlantic sailing adventure, you may also like.
The best appropriate boat is about 30 to 40 feet long. In case you using a smaller boat, there is a possibility that it may not withstand harsh weather conditions and ocean currents.
thank you so much for this cool article.
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Both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans can be crossed in a yacht. You can cross the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on a sailing yacht or a motor yacht. It would be best to have a big enough tank to hold the amount of fuel you expect to burn.
This being said, not all yachts are capable of making these trips. If you decide to cross either of these oceans, you’ll want to make sure you have an ocean-faring yacht as well as the equipment and skills needed to make the trip.
Some yachts will not hold enough fuel to complete the trip and will typically be shipped on freighters designed for this.
In this post, I’ll go over some of the important facts you should know about yachts before you decide to make your voyage:
Table of Contents
Yachts are categorized into four main categories.
These categories range from A to D, and they determine what type of waters the yacht was built to navigate.
A category D yacht is only rated for inland or sheltered coastal waters.
You can use them on lakes and rivers and even protected harbors.
They’ll do well as long as the waves don’t reach heights of over 4 feet.
A category C yacht is rated to be used inshore.
This means that it can head away from the protected harbors, but it shouldn’t go very far. Large bays and lakes can be navigated, and the boat can take on waves up to 8 feet high.
A category B yacht is designed to go offshore.
It can handle strong winds and waves of up to 13 feet.
While you probably wouldn’t want to do an ocean crossing in this vessel, it might be able to handle one of the weather stayed calm for an extended period of time.
One of the issues a category B would have is that it might not be built to be self-sustaining for the length of time needed to cross an ocean.
Also, it wouldn’t be able to hold up in the event of an extreme foul-weather event.
On the other hand, Category A boats are designed to sustain themselves for long voyages like a crossing of the world’s oceans.
They are made to withstand rough weather and storms so you won’t get lost in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific.
They are longer than 40 feet and can take on waves of up to 23 feet. These boats can also take on strong winds of at least 47 knots.
They have weather systems and advanced computers that help you calculate and master the long trip of crossing the biggest seas.
The manufacturer or boat builder will initially determine which category the boat should fall under.
However, this shouldn’t be the only determining factor.
To ensure that the yacht is actually built correctly for trips over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it should be certified by the International Marine Certification Institute.
When you’re looking to buy a yacht, make sure it has been rated by this institute. You can do this by looking for a certification plaque that will be mounted on the bulkhead.
Your Motor Yacht Should Be Able to Carry 1.5 Times The Amount of Fuel You’ll Need
Sailing yachts are often better suited for longer ocean crossings. One of the main reasons for this is that they can sail themselves for an indefinite amount of time.
This being said, you don’t have to own a sailing yacht to cross the Atlantic or the Pacific. A large motor yacht can potentially make the trip as well if it is designed for it.
For a medium-sized yacht, you should expect to have at least 500 gallons of fuel (2000 liters), unless you have sails.
If you are motoring in a big yacht, you will need more than that. You should bring 1.5 times the amount you expect to burn.
The motor yacht will need to be able to hold more than enough fuel for the trip, though.
This is because strong winds and currents can drastically increase the amount of fuel needed to complete a voyage. For this reason, many veteran sailors say that you should bring about 1.5 times the amount of fuel you think you’ll actually need to complete the voyage.
Remember, running out of fuel in the middle of the ocean is a whole lot different than running out of fuel while cruising up the coastline.
You may not see anyone for days in the ocean, and even if you do, they probably won’t be able to tow you back to shore.
Remember the boating flag rules if you travel abroad .
It will take around 20 days or more to cross the Atlantic ocean and potentially much more if you are using your sails instead of the motor.
Depending on the weather conditions, it can take significantly longer to cross the Pacific ocean with a large yacht with a strong motor.
These are very general numbers.
They will vary a lot according to how much fuel you are willing to burn. The faster your motor, the more fuel you will burn. You can also cross the oceans with a yacht with sails.
This will save fuel but be slower because of the boat’s characteristics and since you are much more dependent on the weather conditions.
It takes a significant amount of time to make an ocean crossing.
During this time, you’ll need to meet your food, water, and energy requirements. You’ll also need to navigate the boat continuously.
Modern technology makes meeting these needs much easier.
In addition to having good navigation equipment, here are some systems you may want to consider upgrading to make life easier on the ocean.
A watermaker will give you the ability to make your own potable water throughout your journey.
This cuts down on how much freshwater you need to pack and makes your yacht more self-sufficient.
This is important for a trip as long as crossing the Atlantic or Pacific sea.
Remember, your freshwater needs aren’t just restricted to drinking water. You’ll need fresh water for bathing, cooking, and for washing your yacht off as well. Most yachts will need daily cleanings as saltwater can quickly take its toll on a yacht’s decks and make the windows difficult to see through.
A yacht can generate its own power using the sun, the wind, and the water.
They do this through the use of wind turbines, solar panels, and hydro-generators.
Wind turbines can create an impressive amount of energy in high winds. However, most people will want to travel downwind, which reduces the amount of power that the wind turbine can generate.
Solar panels work great on sunny days while the panels are angled towards the sun.
The drawback is that they do not work nearly as well when they’re shaded, and every day is not a sunny day while out on the water or land for that matter.
Hydro-generators, on the other hand, can generate power 24 hours a day. This is because the water’s movement powers them, and since you’ll be traveling day and night, you’ll always be generating energy.
The only drawback is that a hydro-generator does not produce a lot of energy at one time, and on sailboats, they will slow you down.
The best power generation system is a system that makes use of all of the technologies available.
Your energy requirements during an ocean crossing can be extremely high. Not only this but yachts, in general, tend to need more power than other vessels.
Add a hydro-generator, a wind turbine, and some solar panels to your system, and you’ll have power day and night whether your crossing wide-open expanses or anchor at one of the islands along the way. Larger sailing and power yachts also will typically have a diesel-powered generator or gen-set.
This one might be obvious, but you’ll need to pack a lot of food for your voyage.
Increasing the size and number of freezers you bring with you will increase the amount of meat and fruit you can bring.
Of course, you could skip this step and go with mostly dry foods instead. But honestly, what yacht owner wants to subsist on a daily diet of rice and beans?
Your yacht will be moving at all times, and someone or something will need to be navigating it.
Autopilot systems make navigation easy and make an ocean crossing much less taxing.
Bring a backup autopilot system or spare parts for your existing system so that you can make any repairs necessary to keep it working throughout the entire trip.
Fail to do this, and you’ll find that the crew has to spend a lot more time navigating and a lot less time enjoying the journey.
Remember, it takes more than 20 days, at least, to cross the Atlantic ocean.
It is possible to make an ocean crossing by yourself, but it isn’t recommended.
This is especially true if you’re making the crossing on a yacht.
The reason being, a yacht is going to be larger and more difficult to manage alone than a small sailing craft would be to manage alone.
For this reason, you’ll probably want to hire a crew or bring along plenty of friends or family members that can help you make the trip. At least one person on the crew should have some experience making an ocean crossing.
This person’s knowledge could prove invaluable both before and during the long trip. You and your other passengers should also have some experience with long passages so that you all know what to expect.
You might think that you can easily shorten the time it takes to cross the Atlantic or Pacific oceans by making it a more direct one.
Unfortunately, this isn’t true, and your route will largely be dependent on trade winds.
What I mean by this is that you’ll end up traveling in a direction that follows the prevailing winds, so you are mostly traveling downwind. This reduces the stress on your boat, makes the ride more enjoyable, and even makes it quicker.
Many people have crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans in yachts and many other types of watercraft.
Some experience and adequate preparations are important for a safe adventure.
If you’re planning on making the trip on your yacht, make sure you have the right boat for the job, the right crew for the journey, and the right technology to make everything simple and easy.
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All about one of the most awesome classic yachts of all time, the three mast schooner Atlantic. Long time holder of the world record for the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean under sail, this one hundred and eighty-five foot schooner originally designed by William Gardner in 1903 has been relaunched and is sailing once more.
The Atlantic is currently in the western Mediterranean, and available for luxury sailing yacht charters.
It’s a much more challenging proposition to sail the Atlantic west to east than it is the traditional tradewind route the other way. Helen Fretter went to Horta to meet crews taking part in ARC Europe
Yachts leaving Bermuda en-route east across the Atlantic.
It’s true that this is the most popular route – 260 yachts made the westward crossing on last year’s ARC – but it is not the only one. An eastward crossing, sailing from the Caribbean to Europe , offers a very different experience, which can be either highly enjoyable or almost overwhelmingly challenging.
For this year’s ARC Europe the fleet first headed north, from the BVI to Bermuda (or south, from Portsmouth, Virginia), then east to the Azores, before choosing the final stage of their crossing – an island hop through the Azores and a 850-mile trip to Portugal with the rest of the rally, or splitting away to elsewhere in Europe.
Some had sailed across on a previous ARC and wanted a sociable return trip, others completing a circumnavigation, or returning home after a World ARC. There were also crews from the US and Canada taking on their first transatlantic and seeking the reassurance of crossing in company.
In late May the fleet convened in Horta, capital of the Azorean island of Faial, and a traditional meeting point for Atlantic voyagers. Faial is a curiously intense place, a speck in the ocean just 13 miles long, separated by 900 miles of water from Europe and 1,800 from the Caribbean. It’s also famous for the accumulated art work on its breakwater, as the video below shows.
There is very much a sense that forces bigger than you are in charge here – from the volcano that looms out of the mist, marking the island’s perch on the collision zone of three tectonic plates, to the squall clouds that roll in over the mountain ridge, bringing torrential downpours.
Horta is a sailors’ town, but the crews gathering at Peter’s Café Sport are not those found in mainland yachtie pubs. To have arrived here under sail is to have earned your stripes, and while there are celebrations, there is also a sense of relief at having made landfall.
William Shaw, owner and skipper of Slipper 1 , freely admitted that he was emotional and tearful on his first day on land. The family crew experienced 59-knot gusts and 7m swells on the crossing in their Bavaria 41, and were humbled by the experience.
Read Skip Novak’s storm sailing techniques
The Shaws own Slipper 1 in a partnership, and after many years cruising in Europe took the yacht to the Caribbean with last year’s ARC. Following a winter touring the islands, they joined the ARC fleet in Tortola, and began the eastward crossing with five on board – William Shaw, his son Robert and daughter Joanna, and two friends.
ARC Europe: Joanna Shaw at the helm of Slipper 1, which recorded gusts of over 59 knots on the Atlantic crossing
The first stage, an 850-mile trip from the BVI to Bermuda, which started on 7 May, was relatively uneventful, the only surprise being an acceleration zone in the narrow passage between Tortola and St John islands.
The Bermuda to Azores leg, the longest passage at 1,800 miles, started on 17 May. From the outset the fleet had a real mix of wind speeds. They tacked out from Bermuda in a 15-knot north-easterly. After a moderate start, the wind faded and Slipper motored through the night before picking up a gentle westerly.
Most of the fleet experienced a lull and spent several days motoring in the middle of the crossing, and Shaw reports that by 25 May they were alternating between motoring and sailing in reasonable conditions, and were treated to the sight of a sperm whale surfacing 20ft away.
The following day, however, the pressure began to build.
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To cross the Atlantic, you'll need a boat that's at least 30 feet long, whether you're sailing or motoring. For safety and comfort, your boat should be at least 40 feet long. Although the experience of sailing or motoring across the Atlantic is vastly different, both require a boat of this size. If you plan on having a crew on board, you ...
Numerically, the most common yachts for sailing across the Atlantic are ordinary production cruisers with standard kit, usually with upgrades of safety and power generation equipment. The happy ...
Short Answer. The size of yacht needed to safely and comfortably cross the Atlantic Ocean will depend on factors such as the number of people on board, the type of voyage, and the experience of the captain and crew. Generally, the vessel should be a minimum of 36 feet in length and have enough stowage capacity to carry enough supplies and ...
A mid-Atlantic trough giving 24-48 hours of light wind is not unusual and can be motored through to keep on schedule. Yet for some crews, the engine is only for emergencies and a more southerly ...
The captain of the SILENT 64 Ufuk Türkes who crossed the Atlantic in February 2018 talks about their journey...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silentyacht...
Increase the means of generating electricity with a diesel generator, larger alternator, solar panels and/or a towed turbine and look at means of making savings, such as fitting LED lights. 2. 4 ...
The story of 106m Black Pearl's long-awaited sail across the Atlantic. 22 September 2023 • Written by Holly Overton. ... and consumed 32,000 litres of fuel over 5,600 nautical miles. (A conventional 100-metre motor yacht would burn around 10,000 litres a day.) The arrival of Black Pearl into St Barths on January 2 was a poignant moment ...
A 35-footer might take 25-28 days to sail across the Atlantic from the Canaries to the West Indies. Obviously, the longer and faster your boat is, the more stowage and water tankage you will have for less time at sea. You might also ask yourself which parts of the adventure are the most valuable to you.
Crossing the Atlantic in a Superyacht. Crossing the Atlantic has been an adventure of a lifetime for centuries. Starting in the 15th century with Cristopher Columbus, the idea is still appealing for all those sailing aficionados, Superyacht owners, and ship lovers. Of course, this grand trip has become more achievable nowadays.
The unexpected joys of sailing across the Atlantic. 15 August 2023 • Written by Caroline White. Three owners joined their superyachts to cross the Atlantic and found more than they expected in the vastness of the ocean, they tell Caroline White. Crossing oceans is a necessity if you want to get your yacht to the good stuff on either side.
It took us 16.5 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Las Palmas Gran Canaria to St. Lucia! It was just our family, the crew, the boat, water, and sky as far...
25 MPH. Airplane. 2010. London - New York. 8 Hours. 478 Knots. 550 MPH. Table comparing time to complete an Atlantic crossing. Looking at this table we can clearly see that the time it takes to cross the Atlantic has decreased exponentially.
A sleek, lavish megayacht fit for a Bond villain, called "Adastra," has hit the market for $12 million. Thanks to its efficient shape and lightweight construction, the yacht can cross the Atlantic ...
Experienced cruisers often discover Kadey-Krogen Yachts because they begin to search for yachts capable of crossing the Atlantic. If one searches the listings for Transatlantic boats for sale or contacts a broker with a very specific request to hear about yachts that can cross the Atlantic, they're bound to discover plenty of superyachts, and some custom trawlers, and, of course, a selection ...
Alberto Duhau sailed his Hylas 63 Shaima from Florida to the Mediterranean one summer, by heading north along the east coast of the US, across the North Atlantic via Newfoundland, Greenland and ...
Sail across the Atlantic on Superyacht. Many larger yachts cross the Atlantic as a 'delivery', where a boat needs to be taken from point A to B. Boats have to be moved across the ocean for a new charter season, for the private owner who will hop on board again on the other side, or because someone bought it on the other continent.
The classic route to cross the Atlantic by sailboat begins in Europe and ends in the Caribbean or more rarely somewhere else in Central America. A common example of a transatlantic crossing departing from the Canary Islands with a possible stop in Cape Verde and landing in the Antilles. The distance of the crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean is about 2800-3000 nautical miles ...
You can cross the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on a sailing yacht or a motor yacht. It would be best to have a big enough tank to hold the amount of fuel you expect to burn. This being said, not all yachts are capable of making these trips. If you decide to cross either of these oceans, you'll want to make sure you have an ocean-faring yacht ...
Welcome aboard the sailing yacht Atlantic. All about one of the most awesome classic yachts of all time, the three mast schooner Atlantic. Long time holder of the world record for the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean under sail, this one hundred and eighty-five foot schooner originally designed by William Gardner in 1903 has been relaunched and is sailing once more.
1981 Atlantic 44 Motoryacht. US$25,000. ↓ Price Drop. Knot 10 Yacht Sales | Bay Head, New Jersey. Request Info. Price Drop.
Weather Guru Chris Tibbs reports. An Atlantic crossing or Atlantic circuit has often been seen as a year-long adventure, crossing the ocean in late November or December to the Caribbean, with a ...
SANTA RITA, Guam — The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew is currently towing the motor yacht Black Pearl 1, located approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau on July 21, 2024, after responding to a distress call. "Our primary concern is the safety of everyone aboard the Black Pearl 1.
Sailing across the Atlantic in the tradewinds - or back to Europe - is one of the biggest feats and adventures in sailing. In most cases, the crossing is the culmination of years of planning ...
A couple who embarked on a "green odyssey" across the Atlantic were found dead in a lifeboat after being forced to abandon their wind and solar-powered yacht. Sarah Packwood, 54, from Warwick ...
Yachts leaving Bermuda en-route east across the Atlantic. TAGS: ARC Azores Bermuda. ... 260 yachts made the westward crossing on last year's ARC - but it is not the only one.