Why Are Two Legs Better Than One?

The Atlantic Cup is designed to provide a safe passage back home to the US East Coast at the end of the Caribbean sailing season. We make this passage in two legs: first from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to Bermuda; and then from Bermuda to East Coast ports.

Why make this a two-leg passage?  Why not sail direct?
Splitting the return trip to the States into two legs means finding two shorter weather windows rather than one longer one.  From May onwards the weather becomes more unsettled in the Caribbean, and summer weather may not have become established on the East Coast.   The weather is harder to predict, and getting a good forecast for the 845NM to Bermuda is generally better than for the whole 1400NM or more back to the East Coast.

The sail from Tortola to Bermuda is generally a comfortable reach in light to moderate trade winds.  Once in Bermuda, boats can wait for a favourable weather and Gulf Stream forecast before departing for Hampton VA or other ports.

   

Another good reason for cutting the return passage into two legs is to ease back into offshore passagemaking.  After a season or more in the Caribbean of mainly relaxed day sailing, a long passage may not be a pleasant prospect, and a rendezvous in a friendly and picturesque port like St George's Bermuda keeps the cruising spirit alive.   Bermuda is also a good place for making crew changes if this is an issue.  As one rallier said in 2010: "Bermuda is an island experience not to be missed"