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Western
Europe - Canaries |
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A nice
trip once you passed Biscay. Till then you can expect
for 85% westerly winds between 15 to 20 knots. Easily
reaching 35 knots for a day. We sailed this route 4
times and this is what we experienced. |
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Best time: July to mid August.
Between April and June some strong depressions might
enter the Bay of Biscay. After August and especially
in September the same situation might occur. |
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During wintertime
this route might be quite stormy with lots of
southwesterly gales. Unless you like to torture
yourself: go south during the summer months. Coming
from the North set first a course to Dover. You
can easily shelter for strong winds one or two
nights in this pleasant and safe harbor equipped
with many pints of Guinness beer. |
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After leaving Dover keep the English coast on
your way to Falmouth. You can even day-sail via
some pretty harbors (Brighton, Southampton and
Plymouth) if you find it too windy. Wait in Falmouth
or a little bit more south in Cherbourg in France
for the right weather, which would be, OK by an
ordinary 20 to 25 knots out of westerly direction.
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or France is even. It depends on your taste for
the food I would say. If a depression enters the
Bay of Biscay with a strong southwesterly wind,
wait till the system is gone and leave in the
back by a northwesterly wind. |
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Remember: it is always windy
in this part of the world and a nice northerly breeze
that brings you down will seldom be available. Do not
follow a rhumbline across the Bay. Curve around Biscay
(do not go in) and make some westing. Head for Spanish
ports like Vigo or Bayona in the well protected Vigo
estuary. Vigo is a so-called Ria and looks like a Fjord.
The sea penetrates the mountains on the mainland for
about 20 or more miles. A Ria like Vigo is safe to enter
under almost all weather circumstances. |
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