TRADING PLACES—-WINDS THAT CHANGE
The Dominican Republic is affected by two major wind effects.
The first are the Trade Winds. They come largely from the East and blow an average of 15 to 20 kts. During the early part of the Trade Wind Season, from December through April, the average wind speed is higher, but the constancy of the wind is lower. There will be periods when the trades are stalled.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The trade winds (also called trades) are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics near the Earth’s equator . The trade winds blow predominantly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, strengthening during the winter and when the Arctic oscillation is in its warm phase.
When cruising during the winter in the DR, the winds will tend toward the NE or if Easterly will have a sea component that is NE. Trade winds become stalled when a “norther” comes down from the states bringing dense cold air. Sailors refer to this phenomenon as a “weather window” if one is going East. During the winter months, this cycle repeats itself over and over. The length of these “weather windows” varies and is not easy to predict. One has to determine how “strong” the norther is and how “quick” it is moving.
From the late part of the Trade wind season (April through July), the trade winds become very Easterly and very constant at 15 to 20kts. And as the trade wind season becomes mature, the wind tends to E/SE.
The Dominican Republic is also affected by winds called “Katabatic Winds”.
Katabasis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Katabasis, or catabasis, (from Greek κατὰ, “down” βαίνω “go”) is a descent of some type. Katabasis may be a moving downhill, a sinking of winds.
The Dominican Republic has the highest mountain range in the Caribbean. It is over 10,000 feet. As the sun sets and the air on the mountains cools off, it becomes heavier and begins to “fall” towards the coastline. This is why nights on the coast of the DR can be cool. It is also why if you stay close to the shore, the trade winds will be lessened and especially so if they were 15 kts or less during the day. Then you get a nightime “shadow” of very light winds, and even sometimes a breeze coming off the land. As the morning comes and the sun rises, the cool air heats up and rises back to the top of the mountain and the trade winds “appear” to reinstate.
Whatever coast you make your “Easting” on, the north coast or the south coast, you can use the Katabatic winds to your favor by moving east when the trades subside (after sunset). This is an excellent strategy when the trade winds are blowing strong and in your face. You can also wait for a weather window (a norther) to stall the trades. And you can make your easting on the south coast, where you can use the headlands to shelter you from NE trades and swell. With its high number of excellent anchorages, it makes for easier cruising, leaving the north coast for the “strong of heart” and “strong of stomach”.
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You can visit Haiti by stopping at Isle a Vache which is a very safe stop. When you sail the south shore of the DR, you DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS THE MONA CANAL AS YOU ARE SOUTH OF IT. As far as night tactics, unless the trades are blowing over 20 knots it is not necessary; you can make way during the day
hola Frank
he leido tu guia con interes. El mes que viene vamos a navegar por la costa sur hacia Jamaica. Nos gustaria visitar Haiti, por lo menos ile à vache. Pero también estamos interesados en visitar a Jacmel y, tal vez Port Salut. Desde luego estamos preocupados sobre el tema de la seguridad/criminalidad. Yo supongo, que la costa sur es menos problematica que la del norte or Port-au-Prince. Por favor, nos puede dar mas informacion sobre la situacion actual y los tramites de entrar. Segun nuestra informacion no existe un port of entry.
tambien puedes contestar en ingles.
Muchas gracias!
Un saludo cordial
claudia
Hi Frank,
I have read your guide with interest. We are currently cruising our 37ft catamaran in the Bahamas and working out what to do next. I have read The Gentlemans Passage South and am not that keen on beating all the way along the north DR coast. I was interested if you had any more thoughts on making the run along the south coast, how much beating is required or are the “night sail” tactics the same? I was also interested in visiting Haiti at least some part of it so this seems to fit the bill. I guess you still have to cross the Mona passage at the southern end – do you have ny thoughts on that trip?
Thanks
Ian