Quote:
Originally Posted by oldsalt_1942
Would like to hear of anyone's experiences of sailing through the Windward Passage. I'm planning on going from the Bahamas to Panama but any information about actual experience there would be greatly appreciated.
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The Windward Passage can be pretty boisterous in strong trades.
I would not recommend trying to
anchor off of the end of Great Inagua. It's a lousy, exposed, rolly anchorage. It may be best to watch for
weather in
Long Island. There is a very pleasant anchorage in the middle of the East side of the island.
You are just about as likey to find calm conditions in Windward Passage as windy. The seas can build up in that pass like any other pass.
I would recommend keeping up a good speed (motoring if necessary) through that area and stay mid-channel. The fisherman from
Haiti have been known to harras the passing yachts that try to see shelter from the
wind by hugging the coast.
Both times that I made that passage, I was approached by the USCG to see if we were OK. They asked if we had been approached by any vessels. I told them we hadn't. Although we did see several small boats attempting to intersept our course.
Jamaica can be a nice stop over, if needed.