The Drake Passage!

[Doc Vernon]

Hi
As i have never been through the Drake Passage,i would really like to know fist hand from some out there that did Sail through it what was it like!
I have heard that it has a notorious reputation of being the world's roughest stretch of water!

I know we all at some time or another have experienced Rough and Rolling Seas,but this passage sounds very intriguing indeed!
Lets have some of your own experiences through this Passage!
Cheers

http://vodpod.com/watch/4362985-stor...-drake-passage

[Captain Kong]

I sailed through the Drake Passage last year on my way to the Antarctic.We sailed from Ushuaia down the Beagle Channel round the Horn and then South to the white continent. The sea was moderate with a stiff breeze and a little rain, not very dramatic.
In 2006 I sailed through the Drake Passage and round Cape Horn and the morning was beautiful flat calm and no wind Blue sky.
By afternoon while hanging off the Horn the wind came and then a full blown gale, big seas, and very stormy it came on so suddenly, huge seas and spray were crashing onto the rocks on the Cabo de Hornus. just like I had read in the books of cape horners.
I have photos somewhere, I will post them when I find them. The long haired one is calling.

[Doc Vernon]

Thanks Cpt
Will look forward to seeing those Pics mate!
Cheers

Just been loking at more Videos of that Passage,and there are some good ones!

[happy daze john in oz]

Good video Vernon but a rolling sae rather than a vicious one. Not many waves breaking over the bow. Great Australian Bight takes some beating on a bad day, but i guess there are many seas around the world that are as bad. Bay of Biscay can be a kiler.

[jimmys]

We were running Caribbean to a place called Conce in Southern Chile. Round the Horn. I remember bad weather but not drastic.
I always thought North Atlantic in winter was the worst. Some ships had special load line marked WNA winter north atlantic. Left extra freeboard from normal winter mark W.

regards
jimmy