Transatlantic Yacht Delivery: Europe to the Caribbean

Transatlantic Yacht Delivery: Europe to the Caribbean

The westbound Atlantic crossing is a classic yacht delivery route, typically running from the Mediterranean or northern Europe down to the Canary Islands, then across to the Caribbean. It's a 2,700-3,000nm ocean passage that requires thorough planning, experienced crew, and respect for the weather.

The Standard Route

Most westbound transatlantic deliveries follow a well-established pattern:

1. Positioning leg — From the home port to the Canary Islands (Las Palmas or Tenerife). This may involve a Biscay crossing or a coastal passage down the Portuguese and Spanish Atlantic coast
2. Preparation in the Canaries — Final provisioning, weather routing, and systems checks. Crews typically spend 3-7 days preparing
3. Ocean crossing — Las Palmas to the Caribbean (Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, or St Martin), approximately 2,700nm on the trade wind route
4. Arrival and handover — Customs clearance, condition reporting, and vessel handover

Timing and Trade Winds

The Atlantic trade winds make this a predominantly downwind passage, but timing is critical:

• November to January is the traditional window, when the trade winds are established and the hurricane season has ended
• Departure too early (before mid-November) risks late-season tropical weather in the Caribbean
• Departure too late (after mid-January) can mean lighter, less reliable trades and more northerly weather systems reaching further south

Most professional deliveries depart Las Palmas between late November and mid-December.

Passage Duration

• Sailing yachts: 14-21 days depending on waterline length and conditions. A 50ft sailing yacht averaging 150nm/day will take around 18 days
• Motor yachts: 10-14 days at economical cruising speed, but fuel capacity is the limiting factor. Some motor yachts require a fuel stop in the Cape Verde Islands

Crew Requirements

A transatlantic crossing demands the highest level of crew experience:

• Skipper: MCA Master 200GT or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with proven ocean passage experience
• Crew: Minimum two additional qualified crew for continuous watch-keeping over 2-3 weeks
• All crew: Valid STCW, ENG1, and sea survival certificates
• Experience: Prior Atlantic or similar ocean crossing experience is essential — this is not a coastal delivery

Vessel Preparation

Ocean passages require preparation beyond coastal delivery standards:

• Water capacity — Sufficient for the full crew for 21+ days, or a working watermaker with spares
• Fuel capacity — Full tanks plus reserves. Motor yachts must calculate range carefully
• Provisions — 3 weeks of food and consumables for the full crew
• Spares and tools — No chandlery mid-Atlantic. Carry essential engine spares, rigging components, and repair materials
• Communications — Satellite phone or Iridium GO for weather updates and emergency communication. Garmin inReach for position tracking
• Safety equipment — Life raft, EPIRB, grab bag, and all safety gear serviced and in date

What Owners Should Expect

The crew will handle all passage planning, provisioning, and execution. Owners receive:

• Daily position reports via satellite communication
• Live tracking through our HELM portal
• Weather routing updates if the crew adjusts course
• Arrival notification and a full handover report including engine hours, fuel consumption, and any maintenance notes

Cost Considerations

Transatlantic deliveries are priced to reflect the crew commitment (3-4 weeks including positioning), provisioning costs, and the technical demands of an ocean passage. Crew return flights from the Caribbean are typically included in the quote. We provide fully itemised quotes with crew fees separated from estimated expenses.

More detail on how we crew and run these passages is set out on our transatlantic yacht delivery service page.