Info on Sailing the Windward Passage

[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.

[Kanani]

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.

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.

[oldsalt_1942]

In your passages through, what was shipping traffic like? When I went from Key West to Isla Mujeres it was like trying to cross the Interstate. At one time I had SEVEN ships in sight! Closest trouble I ever had was being overtaken by a small freighter in between Chinchoro Banks and the Mexican mainland at nighttime. In spite of having my running lights on and bridge to bridge communication via VHF he came within 150 of my starboard quarter.

[Kanani]

Originally Posted by oldsalt_1942

In your passages through, what was shipping traffic like? When I went from Key West to Isla Mujeres it was like trying to cross the Interstate. At one time I had SEVEN ships in sight! Closest trouble I ever had was being overtaken by a small freighter in between Chinchoro Banks and the Mexican mainland at nighttime. In spite of having my running lights on and bridge to bridge communication via VHF he came within 150 of my starboard quarter.

The only ship that I saw in the Windward Passage was a USCG Cutter. Then again, it had blown 30+kts the night before.

I tried anchoring off the end of Great Inagua and decided to take my chances in the channel. It was unbelievably rolly. Just before we got there, someone flicked a switch and the wind literally stopped.

We motored on to avoid the fisherman from Haiti. They will row out 20 miles to try to board or beg from a passing yacht. We saw a lot of them. The CG Cutter came along side just after passing the Peninsula to ask if we were harrased by them. I said that we were motoring at 7kts and they weren't a problem.