When it comes to common sense
Some ocean racers have been known to sail around the world in reverse, i.e. against the prevailing winds. Unless you're a close-hauled sailor, if you want to take a break from your overbooked life on land, it's not going to be to fight stubbornly against the elements. Letting yourself be carried along by a gentle Alizé seems, it has to be said, far more seductive.
Historically, in the days of the triangular trade, ships were not designed to sail upwind. It was then, in the 15th century, that the "volta do mar" was born, which means "the sea route" in Portuguese. This route follows the "right" direction of sea currents and prevailing winds. The caravels of the time were carried slowly, loaded with their cargo.
From France, ships left the ports of Nantes and Bordeaux laden with beer and flour, and sailed south-southwest to beautiful Mogador, today the port of Essaouira, Morocco. Unfortunately, this gateway to Africa dramatically developed and fueled slavery.
Leaving the African continent, they headed west-southwest on the trade winds' conveyor belt to the West Indies, where slaves were sold to work in the sugar cane fields.
On their way back to Europe, sailing from the Caribbean arc loaded with rum, sugar, coffee and cocoa, they had to head northeast and then east-northeast to reach the Azores archipelago, from where the ships then headed for England, Holland, France, Spain or Portugal.
This circuit, adapted to the wind conditions, is still a comfortable route for a year-long cruise around the Atlantic.
When, where and why?
If you want to leave mainland France on the Atlantic coast and head for the West Indies, the best time to start heading down is between August and October.
You'll benefit from milder weather as you cross the Bay of Biscay, pass Cape Finisterre and sail along the Portuguese coast, which is well worth a stopover. From the Mediterranean, you can leave a little later.
At this point, a light trade wind blowing from east to west begins to push you towards the Canaries, where you'll need to make a short refuelling stop before "taking the plunge". Of course, your departure date will depend on the time you wish to spend at the ports of call on your route, combined with the vagaries of weather windows.
From the archipelago of the Canary Islands, the trade winds will make you feel like you're on a conveyor belt. You'll benefit from a more stable trade wind for transatlantic sailing between late November and late January.
You feel the full force of the intertropical wind pushing you gently but surely westwards.
In order to benefit from a stable air flow, it is sometimes necessary to take a "spoon" route, with the trade winds blowing from north-east to south-west. This makes a stopover in the Cape Verde Islands very tempting, but once again, it all depends on the time you have available and your desires.
A little tour and then they're off.
If winter is the ideal time to sail in the West Indies, then spring and early summer is the best time to consider a return to Europe. After having surveyed the Caribbean Arc and more or less flirted with the Caribbean Sea, it will be time (or not!) to set sail again.
As the Azores High rises over the archipelago of the same name, the lows weaken and you'll be able to surf in a wind pattern that this time runs from west to east, as long as you go looking for it by sailing upwind to the northeast for a few days. Once you're in the vicinity of Bermuda, you'll need to take great care to sail on the outer edge of the lows heading, like you, towards Europe.
Crossing the Atlantic between North America and Europe between January and March, when the lows are the biggest and strongest, won't be comfortable.
Between the beginning of April and the end of July, you'll benefit from milder weather and return like a flower, your skin slightly tanned and your eyes the color of the tropics, from wherever you've been.
Please note: the hurricane season in the West Indies generally runs from June to September or October. It can be punctuated by rain and strong winds.
