Visit our Popular Forums

belizesailor · 13-02-2016, 17:38

Shore side commitments have disrupted my cruising season so Ive taken some time to work on a set of notes on Western Caribbean Cruising that I started drafting a few years ago. They are still very much in rough draft format and incomplete, but I would like to get some feedback on them.

You can download them here: https://db.tt/ZhfcgRlD

belizesailor · 16-02-2016, 05:58

Did a lot of work on the "...Routes" section and made other minor changes.

Uploaded new version. Also uploaded all images used in document to "images" folder. Having access to individual images may be better for zooming and viewing image detail.

Link to top level folder below. Most recent version of "...Notes" file can be found here as can the "images" folder.

https://db.tt/FgwhcrkU

Matt Johnson · 16-02-2016, 11:06

Very cool of you to post your experience and knowledge. I'll forward this to friends in the area.

Matt

Sent from my LG-V410 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Sailorman Ed · 16-02-2016, 11:59

Thanks very much Curtis - looking forward to getting there. Any comments on going from central south Cuba to the San Blas? I think that is going to be our southbound route and then work our way north.
Ed

belizesailor · 16-02-2016, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Very cool of you to post your experience and knowledge. I'll forward this to friends in the area.

Matt

Sent from my LG-V410 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

De nada, happy to share.

Feedback welcome from you and your friends.

Caribsailors · 16-02-2016, 12:08

Perfect timing!! Thank you. Untiing the lines the end of March and heading North to Cuba first.

belizesailor · 16-02-2016, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

Thanks very much Curtis - looking forward to getting there. Any comments on going from central south Cuba to the San Blas? I think that is going to be our southbound route and then work our way north.
Ed

Any idea what month?

Two significant factors will be contrary currents SW of Jamaica and the area of larger seas caused by the Colombian low. This feature varies in intensity and area of coverage generally by time of year. It can spread West almost to Providencia. Early last year there were big seas (15') pounding into the San Blas. So when, and the conditions off Colombia, will be a significant consideration.

Right now for example, this area extends to near Providencia/San Andreas with seas just over 2 meters from about 77d, 7s period. Not dangerously big but probably a bit uncomfortable. Better later in the year like April-May as the seasonal trades in the SW Carib start to settle down. Trick will be still getting good wind in the SW Carib, but avoiding those Colombian seas.

Assuming a start of roughly somewhere N of Cayman Islands, you could stay a bit W on the way S, to minimize the current effect and head towards Providencia. Also keeps you likely W of the seas off Colombia. And, if those seas spread W and got ugly, you could duck into Providencia to wait them out...damn nice place to stop anyway.

Winds near Colombia/Panama tend to back relative to the prevailing trades so that should help get a better angle to make some easting over to the San Blas as you work your way S of San Andreas.

A rough weather route and shaded GRIB display showing seas off Colombia now attached. Notice how the WR software shifted the course line W south of the Caymans to try a minimize current. Original rough course line is in red. Computed course is in blue.