Best Route From Panama to Florida in February

[Briandownsouth]

We are contemplating a route from Panama to Florida in mid January and would like to be in Florida by early May. We are on a CT-41 in very good shape. I see a lot of advice for the other direction. Does anyone have any experience or advice for this passage?

[SVNeko]

Just did it 2 years ago at same time of year. Panama to Providencia to Guanaja to Roatan to Belize and linger there. Then to Isla Mujeres then to Key West. You can make other stops along the way. Get Pavlides and Rauscher guides. There is an old Nigel Calder guide kicking around and Curtis, who goes by Belizesailor here, has his own very helpful guides. We were stuck in Providencia for a month waiting for a window of lighter winds, but its a great place to be. All in all, a cracking sail all the way up with favorable current most of the way.

[Paul L]

That's a tough time of year to go E and N from Panama - peak of the tradewinds and associated seas. It's a lot easier in Nov before the trades set in or in late April/early May after they cut out. We left early May and had a nice sail all the way via a couple of day stop in the Caymans.