Caribbean Boat Slips - Reality?

[Limpet]

My plan is to start in the Bahamas, sail down through the Caribbean over the top of South American and through the Panama Canal. This would take many years and for each leg I was planning to leave the 47' Cat and then fly home for 3-9 months at a time.

My question to those of you have done something like this is, what is the reality of finding slips along the way that are safe. By safe I mean from theft of gear/electronics/theBoat and safe from damage caused by negligence or indifference on the part of the slip owner.
I guess fundamentally the question is, is it common to find marinas that will protect and safe guard my boat in my absence?

[s/v Moondancer]

We have done the trip you plan ( we have just crossed the Pacific from Panama) and there are some very good marinas and boat yards throughout the trip. The boat will probably be safer on the hard than in the water.

http://www.puertodelrey.com/
http://pricklybaymarina.com/
http://www.jolly-harbour-marina.com/

Puerto Del Rey has outstanding security, our boat was there for 5 months, and good hard storage.

http://www.shelterbaymarina.com/

Shelter Bay is inside a military base!

Theft is a problem and the boats are not 100% safe, some are safer than others

The biggest problem is that you are in the hurricane zone and must take that into account.

Several of my friends leave their boat in Curacao during hurricane season. Distances are short and you can reach Curacao within 4-5 days from anywhere in the Caribbean.

Curacao Marine

Bonaire is also a good hurricane hole and the diving is spectacular.

http://www.harbourvillage.com/marina-en.html