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windhorze · 13-08-2016, 08:18

Is there such an animal?

Who has suggestions on how to keep a 35' Catamaran in the Caribbean inexpensively. I would envision visiting the boat maybe 3 times during the non-hurricane season from 2-4 wks at a time.

Any ideas?

model 10 · 13-08-2016, 08:24

Air fare makes the Rio expensive otherwise it's cheap.

MarkJ · 13-08-2016, 08:31

You need to be more explicit with your question.
One person suggesting Rio Grande is the Caribbean.
Also I don't understand the thrust of your question, no matter where you mean.

barnakiel · 13-08-2016, 08:44

From LA?

Probably Puerto Rico os some other US Caribbean place (USVI?)

Puerto Rico can be cheaper as it is a mixed destination. USVI is all about the holiday people and so all flights may be $$$.

Alternatively I would think a Mexico place.

b.

model 10 · 13-08-2016, 09:24

[QUOTE=MarkJ;2188612]You need to be more explicit with your question.
One person suggesting Rio Grande is the Caribbean.
Also I don't understand the thrust of your question, no matter where you mean.

That's not all you don't get. The "Rio" is not in Texas.

windhorze · 13-08-2016, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Air fare makes the Rio expensive otherwise it's cheap.

Thanks Guy, I've thought about cruising the Rio area, and have looked into it a bit...are you cruising full time or leaving your boat unattended for periods of time?

What do you do for hurricane season there? Do you think safety is on par with central caribbean islands???

windhorze · 13-08-2016, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

You need to be more explicit with your question.

Mark, I kept my question a bit vague for a reason. I'm curious about creative ways to make commuter cruising to a Caribbean affordable...if I were full time I would anchor out 99% of the time, cook my own food, eat local/street food...etc. I didn't want to ask "what's the cheapest berth in the Caribbean"...etc.

One person suggesting Rio Grande is the Caribbean.

I can accept that..

Also I don't understand the thrust of your question, no matter where you mean.

Well I'm open to suggestions...I've heard Curacoa was once inexpensive, but I can't find much in the way of current rates. Also I would be very happy to be based in PR or SVI/Culebra...

my reply is intermingled...not ideal i see

windhorze · 13-08-2016, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

From LA?

Probably Puerto Rico os some other US Caribbean place (USVI?)

Puerto Rico can be cheaper as it is a mixed destination. USVI is all about the holiday people and so all flights may be $$$.

Alternatively I would think a Mexico place.

b.

yes barnakiel...I do live in LA...and yes PR/SVI seems like a good choice....Great Airfares...I've only found rates on the big marina slips in Fajardo which seemed quite steep...I'd be open to moorings around PR/Culebra if you have any knowledge...

barnakiel · 13-08-2016, 12:30

That's dulce.

I too was lost for that Rio because I do not normally scan the peripheral area of the screen where the avatar is. And so I took Rio of course the Janeiro and was lost for a moment.

To many of us (e.g. may Europeans) Western Caribbean is more often known as central America. You say Caribbean, many here will think windwards / leewards.

Cheers,
b.

windhorze · 13-08-2016, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

That's dulce.

I too was lost for that Rio because I do not normally scan the peripheral area of the screen where the avatar is. And so I took Rio of course the Janeiro and was lost for a moment.

To many of us (e.g. may Europeans) Western Caribbean is more often known as central America. You say Caribbean, many here will think windwards / leewards.

Cheers,
b.

thats funny, yes I realized he meant the Rio Dulce...I've traveled Guatemala/Honduras/Belize and would love to explore the area more...it seems to get a pretty tough rap in regards to safety...but I know there is a loyal following...so..

belizesailor · 13-08-2016, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by windhorze

thats funny, yes I realized he meant the Rio Dulce...I've traveled Guatemala/Honduras/Belize and would love to explore the area more...it seems to get a pretty tough rap in regards to safety...but I know there is a loyal following...so..

There are varying levels of security issues in the region, depending in exactly where, but it is a great cruising ground with almost infinite inland travel options, good services on the Rio and inexpensive dockage...and no worries about hurricanes once inside the Rio.

You can find cheap fares, especially thru San Pedro Sula, Honduras...which is also much closer to the Rio than Guate City. Limited flights thru Flores, Guatemala also puts you closer to the Rio.

There are many commuter cruisers on the Rio. For most its a once a year commute so averaged out is not so bad.

model 10 · 13-08-2016, 14:06

The plan this year is for me to go down to the Rio by myself, get the boat going and meet my wife in Belize. We're not doing this for the cost but it does turn out to be over $200 cheaper to fly to Belize City, then on to Placentia than it does to GUA. If you fly to GUA, you either need to do a red eye so you can catch a bus in the morning to the Rio or stay in a hotel and get a bus the next day. So then you go out in the evening and spend even more money. There are some really great places to eat in Guatemala City. All total, doing this every few months would be pretty expensive. Flying to Honduras saves little and the bus isn't as nice.
Security, I had one of our bags stolen at the bus depot in GUA city. The one with all the boat parts in it. Just being total dumb ass gringo on my part.

belizesailor · 13-08-2016, 16:23

Yes, that is one down side to the Rio, it is not convenient to get to. You can fly into the Rio in smaller planes, but not commercial service, so must be private or charter. Charter would not be bad if you had a group to spread the cost.