NAVIGATION BRIEFING

Heading south to the Canaries signals the start of a transatlantic adventure for many European yachts. Our focus tends to be on the crossing to the Caribbean of around 3,000 miles. If done at the right season the weather for the transatlantic stage will likely be kind and it will be tradewinds for most, if not all, of the way.

Getting south to the Canaries, however, can be quite a different matter. Crossing Biscay brings its fair share of worry. Some guides suggest getting as far west as possible before