East -west across Mona Passage

[mike carder]

Advice wanted on Mona Passage going east to west.

We will be bringing our AP36 ketch back from Puerto Rico this spring. On the way down we went offshore to BVI. Coming back we plan to take the ‘inside’ route via the north coast of the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The first leg will be along the south coast of Puerto Rico then aross the Mona Passage to Samana. This will be in late march, early april.
There’s plenty written about going east, with many cautions about how nasty it can be in the Mona Passage. But what’s it like going east to west?
I assume it’s better to get round Cabo Rico and go up the west coast of Puerto Rico. Clear out at Mayaguez and head NW from Punta Higuero, leaving Isla Descheo well to port. It doesn’t look as if there is any advantage to be had by going all the way up to Aguadilla.
Given leeway and the current, if we stay on a close reach, heading as much north as we can, we should end up due east of Bahia Samana and well clear of the shoals.
Any advice from people who have done this passage would be much appreciated.

[barboak]

Headed that way now and we are along south coast of PR headed for Boqueron before crossing to Samana, DR. No advice but are you US flagged then no need to clear out of PR in Mayaguez or anywhere else! Coming into PR from Virgins you will need to clear in

[barboak]

My bad this was over a year ago

[pskudlarski]

We are in Puerto Real PR and will follow in your footsteps in May. I wonder how your passage went and if you have any advice? Did you have any problems in Dominicana for not having zarpa nor other clear out docs from PR? we are USVI flagged.

[barboak]

No problem at Puerto Bahia with no zarpe!

[mike carder]

Can't give you any advice about DR. Due to mechanical problems we left PR six weeks later than planned and sailed directly to the Bahamas.
We did three overnights down the east coast and along the south coast of Puerto Rico and left from Puerto Real. Passage across the Mona pass was fine: we left early in the morning under power, the wind picked up as we cleared Cabo Higuera and we had a pleasant sail. Stayed 'inside' but made no stops in DR. Farther north we got we moved out of trade winds and motored more than sailed thro' the southern Bahamas. Cleared in at New Providence...Lyford Cay.
Left Bahamas from Marsh Harbor, again motoring in light winds and sailing when we could NNW till we reached the Gulf Stream. Rode it north as far as Wilmington where we had to stop for fuel. faced with choice of waiting for favorable conditions to go round Hatteras, then having to motor, we chose to motor up the ICW.

Good luck with your cruise.