Late Passage South

A scene like you see on the deadliest catch, or several. The difference would be huge between November 30 and December 30.......Personally leaving Oct 30th or prior would be my goal. You're going to be dealing with northeasters, snow, freezing, ice and very large waves typically until you get to about South Carolina. Can it be done in a stout 85' if picking weather, possibly, it's also possible we could have a warm winter, but I wouldn't bet on it.

...x2...

Hi,
I left Maine on Dec 21, '02 headed to the islands via Bermuda. The weather router had forecast a "very rigorous" journey ahead.
Crossing the Gulf Stream we got hit by a 25' rogue wave.

And that forecast was before the sudden and unforseen low pressure that popped off of Florida and intensified over the Gulf Stream and bee lined for us and the "weak" cold front behind us.

Christmas Eve was the first evening we had seen the sun and as it was setting it was incredible. I pulled out the "Instant Weather Forecasting" and found the clouds that looked most like the ones I was seeing. The description read "vigorous cyclonic activity expected within 24 hours".

Christmas Day and the following 2 days brought 50+kts and 55' seas on average. The tanker that we were in contact with at the time reported wave heights up to 75', as he was looking at the tops of waves while in the trough.
Merry F-ing Christmas!

Whatever you do get a GOOD weather router and don't be on a timeline. Go whenever there is time. Or gunkhole it down the coast until you get to a better launch site.

Of course the opposite can happen too, had a router forecast 6-8' all the way to Bermuda... And it was flat calm the entire way. (I know, I know, time for a new router! But they were different people)

I've moved boats south as late as the first week of January. Boy am I tired of getting my ..s handed to me. My dream is an August or September delivery. At least hurricanes are predictable (of course the insurance companies won't allow). Pick your weather window and run for the Cape, Newport or Montauk, then wait for you next window. After Cape May head inside unless things are unexpectedly good. Use Dial-A-Buoy to get accurate info on what is happening at that time. Also call ahead to check on fuel docks and stick with the major ones as many won't have pumped anything for 3 months.

Since he is heading to St. Thomas, he will likely head from Halifax to Bermuda and then the Virgin Islands. We may be doing the same trip in mid-November after leaving the Great Lakes.