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The fast path to the Virgins is known as taking "I-66". You head east to southeast depending upon how far up the east coast you start keeping in the wind patterns of south to north winds until you are at about W066 degrees longitude and then hang a right and head south to the Virgins/Puerto Rico. Once you pass below the Tropic of Cancer you enter the normal easterlies of the Trade Winds and this route keeps those winds on your beam.
However, depending where you start you can spend a week to two weeks out in the ocean and can normally bet on getting beaten up in a squall or storm at least once. That is why the primary route is the "Thorny Path" through the Bahamas and so on to Puerto Rico for those who are not into open ocean sailing. This route provides plenty of places to "hunker down" until the weather passes and you get favorable conditions again. It is the "hunkering down" that eats up the extra time compared to the I-66 route. But the places where you stop are fun and there is plenty to do while waiting.
There are some seriously fun places in the Bahamas and Georgetown, Exumas has gotten the nickname "chicken harbor" as a lot of southbounders get there and never venture further east. Winter in the Bahamas is nice but weather fronts can bring some blustery and cold winds for weeks before you get a good weather window for heading south. I have noticed over the years that for every batch of new arrivals to Georgetown only about 25% ever proceed further east and even some of those turn around before they get to Luperon. You really need to have a seaworthy boat in good condition for ocean sailing and plenty of experience and confidence in yourself before heading further east and the patience to wait for a spot of good weather.
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