Florida to BVI's. Rallie?

[Habana Vieja]

Trying to track down any fall 2013 cruising rallies going from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to the BVI's, we haven't found any. The only option so far seems to
be joining the ARC fleet on I 65 as they make their way down from Chesapeake
Bay. Information on other options or information on fleets ( if there are any) traveling that route after the 2013 hurricane season ends would be appreciated.

Thank to All,

Habana Vieja

[gts1544]

Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Be advised that the Caribbean hurricane season is considered to be from June through November, with the height of the season being August - September, but the potential exists during the entire season. Most folks try to be on a short lease to a "hurricane hole" when in that area during the season, not out enroute! Hope this helps! gts1544

[HI-TECH]

interested. any news?

[Habana Vieja]

Thanks for the response. Yes, we had hoped to leave as early as reasonable safety
precautions allow....which will probably mean leaving, on our own, for the Bahamas
in November ( or December ) and then, making a decision as to whether to go to
I 65 ( then the BVI's) or take a different route altogether and sail a path that allows us to visit
Jamaica, the DR, perhaps Haiti and then, lay up in Puerto Rico for an extended stay.
Since the ARC is leaving from Portsmouth this year, that is an option for anyone now in Florida willing to go North to Virginia and link up with the ARC fleet. Our fears of
"waiding" through the Bahamas with 7 feet of draft have been somewhat subsided by
conversations regarding other deep draft experiences.

[conny lang]

Where are you at the moment and what kind of boat do you have, we have a 40foot Catalina and are thinking about going to Puerto Rico this yr and stay there for the hurricane season

[John A]

Originally Posted by conny lang

Where are you at the moment and what kind of boat do you have, we have a 40foot Catalina and are thinking about going to Puerto Rico this yr and stay there for the hurricane season

South of Latitude 12*N is generally considered to be out of the hurricane area in the Eastern Caribbean. 12*N is Granada, and in 2004 that was not for enough south.
Why do you think Puerto Rico at 19*N would not have hurricanes?.

[denverd0n]

Not only is Puerto Rico squarely within the danger zone for Atlantic hurricanes, but right now we are only a week or so away from the exact middle of the hurricane season. If you wanted to be in Puerto Rico for the hurricane season, you should have left in May.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Habana Vieja

Trying to track down any fall 2013 cruising rallies going from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to the BVI's, we haven't found any. The only option so far seems to
be joining the ARC fleet on I 65 as they make their way down from Chesapeake
Bay. Information on other options or information on fleets ( if there are any) traveling that route after the 2013 hurricane season ends would be appreciated.

Thank to All,

Habana Vieja

Wait until November. You won't need a rally. It's more like a stampede from anyplace in Florida. Just join the exodus.

[PapaBruce]

There is also the Salty Dawg Rally out of Hampton, VA. I've heard, not experienced, that the "Thorny Path" from Bahamas to BVI is not the most fun route as you are beating into waves and wind the entire way. The so-called I65 route provided us with a 1,000 mile port tack out of Bermuda to the BVI a couple years ago!

[conny lang]

Originally Posted by John A

South of Latitude 12*N is generally considered to be out of the hurricane area in the Eastern Caribbean. 12*N is Granada, and in 2004 that was not for enough south.
Why do you think Puerto Rico at 19*N would not have hurricanes?.

Sorry I meant we are thinking of leaving this fall and be there for the 2014 season

[conny lang]

I meant we would be leaving this fall and be in Puerto Rico for 2014 season... We will not have enough time to get further south

[Habana Vieja]

We keep our Hylas 46 berthed in Fort Lauderdale - doing short sails up and down Florida's coast until ready to move through the Bahamas then east to Puerto Rico. Your location or where you plan to depart from?
Best Wishes,
HV