Today, let's take a moment to reflect on the journey so far and what lies ahead. Forget bananas for scale – this adventure is measured in Atlantic crossings! We've already completed roughly one such crossing, getting to Cape Verde from La Rochelle. Another awaits us to reach the Caribbean, followed by half an Atlantic crossing from the Caribbean to Panama, and then… buckle up… two more Atlantic crossings to reach Tahiti from Panama!
While traversing the Atlantic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most, doing it back-to-back is a whole new level of adventure. Thankfully, we have some incredible technology on our side: exceptionally detailed weather models that provide reliable forecasts up to 10 days out. Considering our average daily distance is around 150 nautical miles, that means we can see weather developing 1500nm in front of us and plan around that!
We primarily rely on ECMWF and GFS models to track weather patterns. For the past 7 days, we've been closely monitoring the Caribbean situation, and both models are in agreement – even a week out. Our plan is to head west from here, staying with the wind. Once we reach roughly the middle of the Atlantic, we'll strategically plan to shift course slightly south, aiming for a landfall in Trinidad or Tobago – both outside the hurricane zones. If unforeseen weather develops, we'll adapt accordingly, likely heading directly south.
Hurricanes typically follow a west-northwest and then north path. By heading south towards the doldrums (the calm zone near the equator where hurricanes are born), we can avoid any potential threats. For this very reason, we have 1500 liters of fuel on board, providing a comfortable motoring range of almost 2000 nautical miles at a relaxed pace. If we need to push harder, we can still manage around 1500 nautical miles. This range, in an extreme case, would allow us to motor well out of the way of any brewing storm and return to our course – with fuel to spare! We will resupply in T&TT and keep a keen eye on the weather for the leg to Panama, with a clear week we can get into the area well outside of any threats. The only thing we might run low on is… well, you guessed it, cottage pie.
Here's to fair winds and utilizing the power of technology to make informed decisions, and a hurricane-free journey through the Atlantic. Until next time!