Crew Wanted: Cap'n to Sail from Miami to Rio Dulce, Guatemala

[blackcloud]

Need a capn to sail from Miami to Rio Dulce, sooner the better. I've got a 45' fiberglass sloop with a solid Yanmar. Ultimately aiming for Panama, but the Rio for now. Hit me for details.

[capt_douglas]

I hope your 45' has a draft less than 6'. The bar at the entrance to the Rio Dulce has been reported to be less than 6' (and many think 5.5' is optimistic).

[blackcloud]

thx Doug, I draw 6'9". Heard it was 7' at mean high. need to get local knowledge.

[AnchorageGuy]

You will need to do the bar at the entrance at half to high tide. We did it several times with 6 feet and our friends came back and forth with 7 feet.

[GordMay]

A few notes on the Rio Dulce entrance
by Casey Brooks
➥ riodulcechisme.com - Running the bar

See also ➥ Guatemala


There is a wide sand bar at the entrance to Rio Dulce; boats with a draft of over 5 ft (1.50 m) must enter at high tide and the maximum draft that can be carried through at high tide is 7.5 ft (2.20 m). Advice on the state of the tide may be obtained from La Marina (the marina in Livingston) on Channel 68.

Hector Ramirez provides a towing service to help deep keel boats across the sand bar at Livingston and does it safely, according to people who have used him.
His boat name is "Gaviota" (Seagull).
His phone is ++ 502 5607 6306.

[AnchorageGuy]

Gord, The status in Livingston is alway changing and at one point recently La Marina was closed. Not sure if they reopened. There are a couple of folks there that will assist deep draft boats in getting over the bar. They use their boats or water ballast to heel the boats over far enough then tow them over the very short bar. We have also watched deeper drafts plow through the shallow spot without problem. Our friends on Nueva Vida draw 6 1/2 and crossed the bar 4 times at one hour before high tide. Not all high tide are equal. That is first hand info. Our friends are in the River now and transit back and forth to Belize on a regular basis with a 6 foot draft. On a cruising boat that is loaded 6 foot means closer to 6 1/2 feet. It is very doable and easy. A boat can anchor in the very protected Baha Amatique, directly across from Livingston to wait for the tides.

[AnchorageGuy]

Gord, mentioned the Rio Dulce Chisme, there is a discussion board that you can get on and get first hand, right now information and ask questions and get your answers from folks right there on the River.
Rio Dulce Chisme Vindicator :: Index

[yeehaa]

I brought my sailboat over the bar a month ago with 7ft 2in draft. 4 other boats crossed at the same time as me and all got stuck except me, So I would say that if you watch the tide tables as I did U should have no problems coming over the bar using the latest available waypoints and a bit of luck as some of the members here have said that as its a river it does change. I might be interested in delivering your boat for you if you could send me some details.
All the best
Derek

[robw_fl]

Sent you a PM.

[Ram]

Before going here is a must read on Guatemala-Indigo Moon - Guatemala Part One

[AnchorageGuy]

Everyone quotes Indigo Moons rant on the Rio Dulce. That was written some time ago and is one persons "opinion" based on their perception and old news. There are problems and issues everywhere, so if we only go to the absolutely safest areas, we won't go anywhere. We found the River safe, exciting and wonderful, as do the hundreds of boats that go there every year without any issues.
So here is our experiences,
http://tinyurl.com/34k8kbw
http://tinyurl.com/32txatp
So different experiences by different folks.

[CharlesFCook]

Captain,

Please keep me in mind if you need crew.

I have a USCG Master 100 ton Inland license, USCG Mate 100 ton Near Coastal license both with sail and towing endorsements. I also have my STCW 95 BST, Basic and Advanced Marine Fire Fightingand Radar Observer Unlimited certificates. I am a United States citizen and have a USA passport. I have more then 750 days sea time and over 20,000 ocean miles.

You can see my resume here

I can provide you with references if you feel there is a match between your needs and my experience.

Best Regards

Charlie Cook