Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine 2015

— Continued from previous page
One of the best strategies you can use to avoid sailing straight downwind is to
crisscross the Caribbean Sea, on some type of reach. From any part of the Lesser
Antilles, this makes for a good strategy. Coming from west to east is a greater challenge.
The easiest way to effectively move against the prevailing wind is to employ
strategies based on the idiosyncrasies of different areas.
The first is to not try to come east on the south side of the Caribbean Sea. In the
area of Colombia, the fetch produces very high seas, there is an adverse current, and
the winds blow stronger in that area on the average. Even if you were to sail east from
the ABC islands, you would still have to buck very strong winds and stronger than
average adverse currents off the coast of Venezuela. If you move in close to Venezuela
to try to reduce adverse current, you risk heightened danger from what has become
a crime- and piracy-ridden coast. If you stand offshore, you will have
stronger winds and higher seas to contend with.
The best strategy to sail west to east in the Caribbean Sea is to utilize
the southern sides of the islands of the Greater Antilles (Jamaica,
Hispaniola and Puerto Rico). These islands have very considerable mountain
ranges, with the Dominican Republic having the highest at over
10,000 feet. Cold air from the tops of the mountains descends (actually
slides down like a river) after the sun sets and most often, if the tradewind
has not been above average during the day, these katabatic winds will
stall the tradewinds within three to five miles of the coast. In such cases
you will find that if you use these winds after sundown, that there will be
no “slog to windward.” In fact on many nights, you will sail east on a port
tack in light offshore winds all the way to eastern Puerto Rico.
Many cruising sailors arrive in the Caribbean Sea with the misconception
that sailing is always a reach in moderate winds. That is not
the case and to cruise the Caribbean, or any part of it, requires an
understanding of methods to cope with the exceptions and intricacies
of the trades. It is a matter of understanding and not a matter of force
over nature.
You can definitely fight the tradewinds but you cannot fight them
indefinitely. When you reach a point where it is simply not fun anymore,
consider that you might be doing something wrong. Understanding
and insight are the keys to dealing with the forces of nature. Use the
tradewinds to your advantage.
The Caribbean Sea is a potpourri of winds. Some of the special
wind movements that can be studied and used to one’s benefit
include the following.
Beware Northers
Early in the tradewind season (November through March), north winds
blow from North America, sometimes with a great deal of force. These
winds can extend as far south as Colombia and as far east as the Virgin
Islands. Skies become grey and clouds wispy. Temperatures drop. Most
often these winds can stall the tradewinds. The north shores of the
Greater Antilles can become very dangerous at times of strong northers.
The entire distance from Cuba to the Virgin Islands can become a dangerous lee shore.
This is one of the reasons, if coming from Florida or the East Coast of the US, I favor
entering the Caribbean Sea through the Windward Passage. I can sail eastward — not
on a lee shore in the Atlantic, but rather in a more “user friendly” sea: the Caribbean.
In an area such as the waters around Colombia within 150 miles in any direction,
tradewinds blow from the Lesser Antilles and a fetch of that distance creates higher
than average tradewinds. When a strong norther interacts with such tradewinds, the
area becomes virtually untenable and the winds are often referred to as “strengthened
tradewinds” or “reinforced trades”. Those who want to cruise to Colombia and
surrounding areas might well consider heading there in April when the season for
northers comes to an end. It is also a good idea as Colombia is out of the hurricane
zone and late season sailing in that area is a way to avoid that danger.
Dealing with Squalls and Storm Cells
During the normal tradewind season, there can be periods of bad weather. I am not
referring to hurricanes, as those mega-storms are a special class unto themselves.
—Continued on next page
A typical Caribbean squall. When you see a rising cloud and falling rain,
expect a burst of wind
SEPTEMBER 2015 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 25