Is the Eastern Caribbean "Costal Cruising"

[monteverde]

Is it considered "coastal cruising" sailing from Florida down to Venezuela?

[Kettlewell]

I wouldn't consider it coastal cruising. There are some pretty long (few hundred mile) jumps that have to be made, and even when you're island hopping you are out in the open ocean with nothing between you and the wind until Africa. Even just going to the Bahamas is crossing the Gulf Stream.

[John A]

I'd call it island hoping. Coastal cruising is generally sailing the coast of a country.

[Teknav]

It is not coastal cruising, but rather blue water cruising. At times, you will not have any land reference and will heavily depend on your instruments (and charts) for navigation. This is a great trip to take, just don't rush it. There are several islands that you must visit along the way; a feast for your senses. Get a good Caribbean guide book and plan your trip well; use Fodor's or Frommer's Caribbean guide book. Enjoy!

[robert sailor]

I'd go with Island hopping, a couple of hundred miles from land isn't bluewater sailing in my book but whats the difference, call it whatever you'd like. Many organizations consider an offshore passage to be at least a thousand miles.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by monteverde

Is it considered "coastal cruising" sailing from Florida down to Venezuela?

The term coastal and bluewater are meaningless., some coastal trips can be very difficult doe ocean crossing can be simple.

Dave

[robert sailor]

No argument from me on that point. I've had my butt kicked worse 100 miles off the Wa. Oregon coast than I have on any of my ocean crossings but if I needed help it is available, however if your 1/2 way to the South Pacific you had better be able to look after yourself. The trip to San Francisco is usually about a 6 day passage but the local Bluewater Sailing Club does not recognize that as an offshore passage.

[monteverde]

Maybe I should have asked: Will a Costal Cruiser Sailboat be seaworthy enough for island hopping in the Caribbean?

[robert sailor]

Most production built boats will do fine in the Caribbean and offshore for that matter but its really not the boat as much as the skipper.

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by John A

I'd call it island hoping. Coastal cruising is generally sailing the coast of a country.

Isn't island hoping when you hope you make it to an island?

[GrowleyMonster]

I agree. The average production boat over 25' that is set up for coastal cruising is quite capable of cruising the Eastern Caribbean, in the hands of a prudent skipper who watches the weather and utilizes his windows, who keeps his boat in good repair with appropriate repair parts and materials aboard, navigates and handles the boat with due care and attention, and leaves as little as possible to chance. Better a less than ideal boat and a competent captain than a perfect boat and a less than competent captain.

[John A]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

Isn't island hoping when you hope you make it to an island?

That too.

.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

Isn't island hoping when you hope you make it to an island?

So Hawaii to New Zealand is just island hopping

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by monteverde

Maybe I should have asked: Will a Costal Cruiser Sailboat be seaworthy enough for island hopping in the Caribbean?

yes!

If you really want a bigger debate tell us the boat you plan on.

I'm worried about your experience to do the trip because if you have experience you would know the answer yourself.

[Paperbird]

If you need to ask...