Tips for an Atlantic Crossing

To remember when planning to sail across the atlantic

The Atlantic crossing season is coming round again. In the next three months,  some 4-5,000 sailors will cross from Europe to the Caribbean on one of the  biggest sailing adventures of their lives. In most cases, the crossing is  the culmination of years of planning and preparation. But if it’s your first  time, are you missing something? You might be.

Keep it simple

A smart crossing is all about consistent speed, 24 hours a  day. The key is not to have downtime.
There’s no need to fiddle around  with twin headsails, Twistlerig or expensive new asymmetric spinnaker; a main  and poled-out genoa ‘barn doors’ set-up will do fine. In fact, me and my other  half won the ARC rally overall one year after sailing wing-and-wing almost the  entire way.

Just keep an eye out for chafe, and be sure to set up a  preventer on the boom and a foreguy topping lift and downhaul when poling out  the headsail so you can furl in quickly when that night-time squall hits (which  it will).

Revise your energy equation

Whatever power you think you’ll use on an ocean crossing, add on another third. Nav lights, radar, radio scheds, autopilot, watermaker, fridge, freezer, computer, fans – you name it, they all add up.

Read more at http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/416802/top-10-tips-for-an-atlantic-crossing#oWJ7kM0sVr4wH45E.99
Increase the means of generating electricity with a diesel generator, larger alternator, solar panels and/or a towed turbineandlook at means of making savings, such as fitting LED lights.

Get some additional training (electronics, service, maintenance, first aid)

Ocean seamanship is more about fixing things and managing problems on board than navigation or routeing. Diesel engine maintenance, sea survival, medical and first aid training and courses run by manufacturers on servicing and maintaining their equipment are all invaluable preparation – for crew as well as skipper.

Take your time

Go around Islands up or down the route. Stop and visit places. Enjoy every moment and don’t fix your arrival date.

Prepared for failure

Be prepared for key equipment to fail, because sooner or later it will. If it’s gear you normally rely on, like an autopilot or watermaker, have a contingency.
Read more at http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/416802/top-10-tips-for-an-atlantic-crossing#oWJ7kM0sVr4wH45E.99