Cruising Caribbean on a Jet Ski: 24 Countries !

[Loquat]

red-ass would only be the start of it... monkey butt would quickly set in.

[Tortuga's Lie]

yeah, I guess wearing a wetsuit for days(weeks) on end will create some interesting skin conditions

[halsar]

Originally Posted by halsar

I am working with Ladd Biro of Champion Management. He helped John Moffatt get some sponsorships including one from seadoo. John broke world record for distance twice. So far we have not received any sponsorship but I am hopeful.

John Moffatt Torco Sea Doo Jet Ski World Record

This is the last world record attempt that i know of...(fail)

London to Auckland the Ultimate Ride by Personal Watercraft

seeing those were all basically rivers I thought I should include this one too...A ride across the atlantic

YouTube - Álvaro de Marichalar

[halsar]

Originally Posted by Tortuga's Lie

yeah, I guess wearing a wetsuit for days(weeks) on end will create some interesting skin conditions

I don't like wetsuits-yuck...How about rashguards?

[Lowcountry]

halsar, have you ever ridden a jet ski in the open ocean, by which I mean well out of sight of land? I'm all for the adventure aspect of your proposed trip, but I just can't help but think that you are going to be in for a very rude awakening once you get out in the open ocean, 50+ miles from the nearest shoreline.

[halsar]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

halsar, have you ever ridden a jet ski in the open ocean, by which I mean well out of sight of land? I'm all for the adventure aspect of your proposed trip, but I just can't help but think that you are going to be in for a very rude awakening once you get out in the open ocean, 50+ miles from the nearest shoreline.

the average distance between islands is 60 miles. That makes average mid point 30 miles. I have ridden in the ocean in us, asia and the caribbean...but never completely out of sight of land.

do you think a handheld vhf and a plb, & flares is enough communication or do i need a sat phone. Or could i add a fiberglass antenna to the pwc? It might add a nice place for a flaf and add to my visibility

Do you guys get good vhf communication while making crossings?

[halsar]

EPIRB VS PLB

some people including the coast guard recommended an epirb....

A trip to west marine taught me that a plb might be a better choice

1. I can keep it accessible on my life jacket...no need to hunt for it in a compartment somewhere.

2. same battery life..yep i was surprized.

3. same satelites


Seems epirb is better for ships (can set auto feature) no auto feature is going to work for me.

Did i miss something?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by halsar

the average distance between islands is 60 miles. That makes average mid point 30 miles. I have ridden in the ocean in us, asia and the caribbean...but never completely out of sight of land.

do you think a handheld vhf and a plb, & flares is enough communication or do i need a sat phone. Or could i add a fiberglass antenna to the pwc? It might add a nice place for a flaf and add to my visibility

Do you guys get good vhf communication while making crossings?

I wouldn't presume that Search & Rescue response will be the same as in US waters throughout your trip. Could vary from better , to "who gives a sh#t?"

[Alecadi]

1)What kind of documentation will you present at each entry in each country?
I don't think that PWC are USCG documented.
2)Handheld VHF from sea level would not have enough range.

[Alecadi]

Have you considered the physical exhaustion....?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by witzgall

... you are trying to do this on a schedule? That won't work, end stop. No No No...
... If you are still considering this, ditch the schedule!

INDEED!

[halsar]

Originally Posted by Alecadi

1)What kind of documentation will you present at each entry in each country?
I don't think that PWC are USCG documented.
2)Handheld VHF from sea level would not have enough range.

Other than a passport what other documentation do i need? A bill of sale? my boat is exempt from uscg documentation.


WHAT VESSELS MAY BE DOCUMENTED?
A vessel must measure at least five net tons and, with the exception of certain oil spill response vessels, must be wholly owned by a citizen of the U.S.
Top of Page

MUST MY VESSEL BE DOCUMENTED?
Vessels of five net tons or more used in fishing activities on navigable waters of the U.S. or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), or used in coastwise trade must be documented unless the vessel is exempt from documentation. Coastwise trade is generally defined as the transportation of merchandise or passengers between points in the U.S. or the EEZ. In addition, towboats operating between points in the U.S. or the EEZ or between the EEZ and points in the U.S. and dredges operating in the U.S. or the EEZ must be documented.
Top of Page
USCG National Vessel Documentation Center, FAQ Page

[skipmac]

Link to NOAA pilot charts of July for North Atlantic, including the Caribbean.
Same sight has a charts for each month of the year.


http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/St...106/106jul.pdf

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by halsar

do you think a handheld vhf and a plb, & flares is enough communication or do i need a sat phone. Or could i add a fiberglass antenna to the pwc? It might add a nice place for a flaf and add to my visibility

Do you guys get good vhf communication while making crossings?

Since you are choosing to go on the open ocean with only one means of propulsion you should also consider upping the stakes and dispense with any means of communcation. When your engine quits no one would come out for the search and rescue. It would force you to improvise on a method to make it to land...kind of part of the adventure. Like walking the wire without a safety net.

[Lowcountry]

An average of 30 miles offshore doesn't do you any good on that 109 mile passage from the DR to the Turks and Caicos. Range on a hand-held VHF might be 10 miles if you're lucky.
Tell you what. If you're dead-set on doing this trip, pick a day where the winds are blowing 20kts. Drive that jet ski straight offshore until you run out of gas. Fill it back up with gas from your jerry cans and then ride the jet ski back in. See if you still think this trip is a good idea.