Sailing from ABCs to Grenada

[EricM]

We're about to buy a boat and put it on the hard for a year before heading out cruising the Caribbean. Curacao looks safe from hurricanes but I'm not familiar with the weather, wind and currents in the area.

Anyone have comments on sailing from the ABCs to Grenada.

Jackie

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Jackie .

[osirissail]

Well, it is done by some but you will be going upwind and up current the whole way. Unless you have the fuel and an engine that will run for 4 days (+/-) as you motor sail upwind, it is not a pleasant journey. Not to mention you will probably want to stay at least 50nm away from the Venezuelan coastline which will limit tacking back and forth to claw your way upwind.
- - An alternative way is to sail north or northeast depending upon the season to one of the northern islands either in the Leewards or at the north end of the Windwards and then sail south down the islands to Grenada. That way the wind is not dead on your bow and you can sail versus motorsail.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[beachgirl1952]

what's the reason you want to go to Grenada? ...
why not leave the boat on Curacao, either in a marina or on the hard at Curacao Marine? ...

what Osirissail said: not a very nice sail with the wind on your nose, but doable with the right weather window ...

[EricM]

I guess, we're looking for a safe place to keep the boat for a year, then we plan to cruise the Caribbean, up to the Mainland USA for the summer and then back down to the Caribbean once more before heading through the canal. Maybe on the hard in Grenada is a better choice?

[Chandler]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Well, it is done by some but you will be going upwind and up current the whole way. Unless you have the fuel and an engine that will run for 4 days (+/-) as you motor sail upwind, it is not a pleasant journey. Not to mention you will probably want to stay at least 50nm away from the Venezuelan coastline which will limit tacking back and forth to claw your way upwind.
- - An alternative way is to sail north or northeast depending upon the season to one of the northern islands either in the Leewards or at the north end of the Windwards and then sail south down the islands to Grenada. That way the wind is not dead on your bow and you can sail versus motorsail.

Why would one want to stay so far away from the Venezuelan coast?

[beachgirl1952]

Why would one want to stay so far away from the Venezuelan coast?

for obvious, dangerous reasons ...
Los Roques, Las Aves and Blanquilla (all Venezuelan islands) are OK ...

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by beachgirl1952

Blanquilla (all Venezuelan islands) are OK ...

Blanquilla I have been given advice that its not secure.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by EricM

Anyone have comments on sailing from the ABCs to Grenada.

Jackie

Grenada is nice. People are great, happy, honest, hard working. It makes it a very nice firendly change.

[beachgirl1952]

if your insurance allows you to be in Grenada, that would be a nice choice (dryer than Trinidad?) ...
but be sure they tie your boat down with straps anyway ...
shrink-wrapping may be another advice ...
especially when you leave the boat for a year ...

[EricM]

Ok, we'll pursue Grenada. Thanks

[s/v Jedi]

It's easy... sailing from Curacao, make a big tack north to the Dominican Republic. Once there, buy plenty Ron Brugal Extra Viejo and plenty cases of Presidente beer. Now you're ready to follow the south coast and sneak past the Mona passage to Puerto Rico. Once there it all becomes much easier. Work your way to Virgin Gorda before turning south.

Hey Anja! hoe is het met de bloem?

ciao!
Nick.

[svBeBe]

From Curacao sail east to Bonaire, about 25 miles if memory serves, directly into the wind. Wait for best weather in autumn before winter stronger winds set in (usually mid-to-late November) then sail to Virgin Islands. It can be done. We sailed this route 19-21 Nov 2006. Hard on the wind but very definitely doable before winter winds set in. We landed at Christmas Cove and later cleared in on St. John. Rest up; stock up on food items you won't find farther south. Then leisurely sail back down to Grenada.

This is far more comfortable that beating or motoring directly into the wind and fairly strong current from Curacao straight to Grenada.

Judy
S/V BeBe

[osirissail]

Where you can "sail" to depends greatly upon the season of the year. Generally in the Caribbean in the Winter months the winds are predominantly from the east and northeast. This usually results in only being able to "sail" to the islands from the D.R. to the Virgins.
- - However in the Summer months they shift to being from the east and southeast. This shift in winds enables you to "sail" to the more eastern islands ranging from the Virgins to Guadeloupe. A cruiser friend set out during this season hoping for Martinique and ended up on Guadeloupe after 4 days of beating hard on the wind.
- - In either case, unless you are willing to motor-sail upwind, up-current you will have to accept that you will end up significantly north of Grenada and then have to sail back southwards to get to Grenada.