Sailing from Puerto Rico back to Grenada

[landonshaw]

Over Christmas I will be sailing from Grenada to Puerto Rico direct. Picking up my wife then three weeks sailing back to Grenada. We are very familiar with the islands from Guadeloupe to Grenada, but not Puerto Rico to Guadeloupe.
Given three weeks, any suggestions as to sailing and destinations along the way especially north of Guadeloupe given only 3 weeks to get back to Grenada. Thanks


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[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

Over Christmas I will be sailing from Grenada to Puerto Rico direct. Picking up my wife then three weeks sailing back to Grenada. We are very familiar with the islands from Guadeloupe to Grenada, but not Puerto Rico to Guadeloupe.
Given three weeks, any suggestions as to sailing and destinations along the way especially north of Guadeloupe given only 3 weeks to get back to Grenada. Thanks


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Two things:

1. Be aware that this is the season for Christmas Winds. Normally, these are short-lived -- two or three days -- and not too troublesome. But, they can occasionally last much longer and they often blow very hard, sometimes 50 knots or more.

2. Sometimes the combination of a wind direction more Easterly or East Southeasterly than expected plus a strongish Easterly current and strong winds can make sailing south more of a close reach than a reach or broad reach. We once had a very rough passage from the BVI to Grenada direct around Christmas time.

Keeping these factors in mind, from Puerto Rico I'd make as much easting as possible, passing up thru the US and British Virgins before heading south. If conditions permit, crossing the Anegada Passage to St. Martin or elsewhere in the Leewards would be a good strategy.

FWIW,

Have a safe trip.

Bill

[landonshaw]

Thank you for the information. Yes the Christmas can be very steady and strong. We have been sailing for the past 6 years with them, only getting as far north as Guadeloupe. This yer I thought I would take the boat farther north before we headed back. Any suggestions of anchorages in the northern islands?


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