Winter Passage from PR to Marland

[MissKitty]

We are considering a passage from Puerto Rico to Maryland in the next few weeks. Concerned about weather patterns. Any advice would be appreciated.

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by MissKitty

We are considering a passage from Puerto Rico to Maryland in the next few weeks. Concerned about weather patterns. Any advice would be appreciated.

Wait for spring.

Alternatively, make the short passage to the SE Bahamas, then spend a couple of months working your way up thru the islands before you jump off for Florida or other East Coast points.

[btrayfors]

FYI here's a pilot chart of the North Atlantic in March. Not a very hospitable place for a small boat transiting from PR to Maryland.

Bill

[t3c9]

https://www.ventusky.com/?p=33.0;-70...&t=20170129/00

[s/v Moondancer]

Through the Old Bahamas Channel to the Keys and Miami and then work your way north. Off-shore if you can but ICW if you have to.

[Redpcx]

Weather in Maryland is dicey this time of year. Yes, I Live in Maryand.
All depends on the boat, and your reason for transiting.
If you leave now, you might run into ice, depending on your destination. You will have cold days and warm days, and it will seem colder, coming from a warm island.
If you have central heat, and a pilothouse, not a big deal, just make certain of your weather window.
if you do not have central heat, wait for spring.
Spring is a Beautiful time to travel.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by MissKitty

We are considering a passage from Puerto Rico to Maryland in the next few weeks. Concerned about weather patterns. Any advice would be appreciated.

===

My advice would be to return via the southern Bahamas and south Florida. Then take your time going north on the ICW. Even in north Florida the weather will be colder than you'd like until April or so.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Wait for spring.

Alternatively, make the short passage to the SE Bahamas, then spend a couple of months working your way up thru the islands before you jump off for Florida or other East Coast points.

I will second Mr Trayfors' advice. Weather this time of year is indeed dicey. Dominant weather pattern will be cold fronts (called nor'easters in New England, northers in Florida) which bring strong, gusty winds from the W-NW-N with accompanying nasty seas. These can last for days or sometimes a week or more but are reasonably predictable.

Wait for a good forecast and leave PR for the DR or to the Turks and Caicos if you get a larger window of good weather. Then to the SE Bahamas and work your way to SE Florida step by step. Then from SE Florida you can work your way north either in the ICW or offshore weather permitting.

The Old Bahamas Channel is a fast, direct route but you have very few options for stopping if weather gets nasty.