North Atlantic Intensive

What will the type of sailing be like?

Route Overview Departure: Sint Maarten Primary Route: Sint Maarten – Offshore nonstop to Bermuda Estimated Distance: 900 nautical miles Key Points: Extended ocean passage, no intermediate landfall, continuous watch rotation, technical focus on offshore safety, navigation, and systems management Passage Breakdown Sint Maarten to Bermuda Crew briefing, safety checks, and weather review in Sint Maarten prior to departure Departure into open water, setting a direct course for Bermuda or route determied by winds Establishment of full offshore routine: 3 hours on, 6 hours off watch rotation, round-the-clock navigation, log keeping, and sail management Night watches, fatigue management, and continuous position tracking Emphasis on safe North Atlantic navigation: monitoring weather systems, routing for safety and comfort, and real-time decision-making Some of the best food you may have ever had on a boat! Arrival in Bermuda Landfall, customs entry, and trip debrief at anchor in St. George’s Crew rest and transfer arrangements Training Focus Offshore passage planning and ocean routing: route selection, weather window analysis, and current considerations Practical navigation: GPS, chartplotter, radar, AIS, and paper chartwork along with the opportunity to practice celestial navigation Night operations, emergency drills, and safe deck work in open ocean Systems monitoring: daily engine checks, electrical management, comms (VHF, satcom) Log keeping, position reporting, and troubleshooting underway Watchstanding: helm, lookout, safety checks, and crew communication Expected Conditions Winds: NE–E trade winds at start, shifting to more variable E–SE and possibly S–SW as Bermuda approaches; 12–25 knots typical, with stronger winds possible in passing systems Seas: 5–10 feet in open Atlantic, with the potential for larger swells depending on weather Weather: Highly variable—can include settled trade wind periods, squalls, and frontal passages; temperature cools as Bermuda approaches Hazards: Squall lines, passing weather systems, potential for large swell, commercial traffic, and possible Gulf Stream effects Why This Passage is Relevant Longest nonstop passage of the 2026 seasonn (till return in fall), offering true bluewater immersion Builds endurance, watch rotation discipline, and advanced seamanship Focused exposure to North Atlantic weather and ocean navigation Ideal for sailors aiming for major offshore experience and technical skill development Miles building in the best way possible