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This is the most common route for either 'Round-the-Worlders',
or South African yachts en route to the Caribbean or
Europe. The sail can be extremely pleasant as the wind
will be off the starboard quarter once the trades are
encountered.
The
best time for the crossing is in the summer months.
A
few suggestions:
Stock
up with supplies very well in Cape Town, or other South
African cities, as prices on the islands are high and
stocks are limited. The direct route from Cape Town
to St Helena Island is approx. 1700 miles, but it keeps
you in a rather busy shipping route (Cape Town to New
York).
A more northerly departure than Cape Town, with a southerly
wind forecast, will keep one away from this shipping
lane.
There
are three seamounts close to a direct route that one
should be aware of. Rough weather the area around the
shallowest of these creates turbulent seas. These banks
are close to each other, but the one of particular concern
is Valdivia Bank with a least depth of 23m (rising out
of depths of 5,000m plus). The others are 115m and 163m.
The
position of Valdivia Bank is 25deg. 55'. S, 5deg. 30'.
E. There are often many fishing factory ships and fleets
in the vicinity. St Helena is free from offshore dangers
if a reasonable distance is kept to sea. It can be rounded
either way, but a northern approach to the anchorage
off Jamestown will keep one in the windless lee of the
island for the shortest period.
St Helena can often be seen on a clear day from about
70 miles away. There is a delightful medium wave communal
radio station (1548kHz) that can be heard about 250
miles from the island.
The
"Cape to Caribbean" Cruising Guide details the arrival
at St Helena with photos, chart details, anchorages,
immigration details, places of interest, etc. The guide
continues in great detail to cover the other Atlantic
islands and includes everything a cruiser needs to know
about the route and making landfall in Brazil. It also
supplies highly sought-after details on Brazilian ports
and approaches, offshore islands, weather information,
chart details, etc., right up to Tobago and Trinidad.
The guide features good quality photographs and descriptions,
chart references and diagrams to assist cruisers.
For
full details see "Cape to Caribbean" Cruising Notes
by Tony Herrick http://www.cruiser.co.za/tony.asp
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