My brothers, sister and I went to Bermuda as kids on vacation with our parents. With fond memories, we went back with all our kids a few years ago. Things have changed a lot in 40 years. The island is densely populated with a significant number living on government assistance. Everything is costly as a result. Public busses and mopeds are transportation for most. When we were there, diesel was $15 per gallon. A quick check shows it at only $9 per gallon now. Needless to say, the harbors seemed to have mostly sailboats. We enjoyed our trip and the island has interesting history. As a winter cruising destination, it's too far North and very windy.
Ted
Or to quote the late, great Yogi Bera... "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."It's like discovering a greeaaaaaaatttt restaurant and enjoying it until everyone else discovers it and you can't even get a table.
Or to quote the late, great Yogi Bera... "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
I don't read much about members cruising to Bermuda from the East Coast. Why is this? I would think it would be a nice wintering locale.
I agree but I've been thinking about it. Closest point is about 550 miles (IIRC). Which is a pretty good crossing. A bit more than most cruisers are comfortable with.
Ken
Wifey B: Thanks to you guys bringing it up, Bermuda is now on our plans for late September or early October. Reworking schedule. Don't know what comes out of our plans or if we just extend our cruise south.
Curious- what boat are you planning to take to Bermuda? Surely not the one in your avatar .
Seriously, a trip to Bermuda is a serious blue water passage. You need a very well found boat and the range to do it.
I am reminded of the yacht requirements for the xyz to Bernuda races. It requires all sorts of stuff: independent back up DC system, independent back up communication system, all sole hatches latched down, etc, etc. My neighbor spent ten plus thousand dollars rigging his very well built Island Packet 485 to meet those requirements.
David
Wifey B: Don't talk bad about my "Baby". Actually the boat in the avatar is CE A rated. However, since it only has range of about 210 nm then I don't think so.
Bigger boat with more range.
There goes my faith in CE ratings.
David
.... the Bucks beat the Celtics. Now that's just wrong.
Exactly!! Go Celts !!!
I had the pleasure to stop at Bermuda while delivering a 51’ sailing yacht to the BVIs from Norfolk.
We had not intended to stop, but just have it as a way point... sail out to Bermuda, then turn right. But, we encountered a fast developing (i.e. it wasn’t there when we left Beaufort to cross) low pressure system that pounded us for several days (25-30’ seas, 35 knots of wind, gusting to 50). So we pulled in to dry out, apply more caulking to leaky places and fix a few things.
Wifey B: How well does your Baby handle these conditions?
David
I would argue that a crossing to Bermuda or anyplace else that is in the 500NM range is entirely dooable in many coastal cruiser type boats of you have the range.
We are pretty good at forecasting out to about 72 hours. Not perfect but pretty good.
Someone mentioned that it’s a 510NM crossing. That is 63 hours at 8 knots... within the range of modern forecasting.
Years ago a team from PassageMaker Magazine took a small trawler to Bermuda. I don’t recall the exact boat but someone here must have a copy of that issue.