ONBOARD CARD 08 — Bermuda Approach
Phase: Final 200 nm to Bermuda finish (St. David's Head / Bermuda NE). Typical elapsed time: Race start +48–80 h (varies widely)
Bermuda approaches lose corrected-time results through late parking lots, misread final-miles conditions, and layline errors. Don't be those boats.
TL;DR
- Stick to sails used this race — no new sail in dark final approach.
- Layline commitment by 30 nm out. Navigator + Skipper call it together; not re-litigated.
- Pre-brief approach before final 50 nm (waypoint, finish line, VHF channel, layline plan).
- VHF watch mandatory in final 50 nm. Assign a dedicated crew member. Bermuda Radio (Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre) monitors VHF 16 — call on approach for inbound/clearance instructions; confirm the race-committee/finish channel against the SIs.
- Bermuda sea breeze SSE 8–14 kts; wind shadow NW of island — avoid it late.
- Park decision: wind <4 kts for >2 h in final 100 nm → accept loss; preserve crew.
DATA TO CHECK
At 200 nm to finish (post-Stream): - Wind forecast for final 150 nm (pre-loaded GRIB) - High-pressure ridge risk south of the Stream (W-BS or W-PL analog)? - SST in final 150 nm — warm core eddy in path?
At 100 nm to finish: - Actual conditions vs forecast: holding, fading, or building? - Are boats ahead (fleet tracker if available) parked or moving?
At 50 nm: - Bermuda local wind shadow and sea breeze - VHF range — listen for race office / safety broadcasts - Final sail selection for run to finish - Layline: not significantly below it with a wind shift risk?
BERMUDA LOCAL EFFECTS
Sea breeze: - Develops on days with light gradient; typically SSE 8–14 kts by early afternoon local. - Can provide useful pressure for boats approaching from N or NE. - May shift optimal approach angle 10–20°.
Wind shadow: - Light and variable within 5–10 nm NW of island in southerly flow. - Approach from E or SE can avoid this shadow. - Getting caught in the shadow late costs 1–3 hours at worst.
Approach principle: Approaching slightly windward of the island (upwind relative to gradient) is usually faster than running dead downwind into the shadow.
TRIM / SAIL
| Final approach conditions | Preferred sail |
|---|---|
| 10–18 kts reaching (typical) | Code 67 / A3 |
| 6–10 kts light | Code 67 / A1-1 |
| 18–25 kts broad reach | A3 |
| Upwind final approach | J3 |
| Light air drift (<6 kts) | A1-1 + patience |
| Building following sea | Consider GS over asym for control |
TACTICAL OPTIONS
- Favor windward layline — in reaching conditions, be slightly above; sea breeze or local shifts can force extra work if you arrive below.
- Jibe for the favorable approach — if running, sail the hot angles (~135–150°) and gybe down to the layline; do not soak dead-downwind into the island's wind shadow.
- Avoid the wind shadow — approach from E or NE quadrant if wind allows.
- Don't park — if forecast shows a pressure band ahead, route to the windward edge, not the center.
RED FLAGS
- Wind dying below 5 kts with no forecast improvement for 6+ hours: you are in a park — accept it; do not burn crew on frantic sail changes chasing 0.2 kts.
- Boats you were ahead of in the Stream are catching up: either you parked and they didn't, or they found pressure you missed. Reassess angle.
- Warm core eddy indication near 31–32°N: may be in adverse limb — check GPS/log current vector.