To get to
eastern Caribbean we went the
Florida route, cutting through okeechobee or going by way of the keys. To get to
Guatemala and beyond we went the Yucatan way. If you choose this
route ( Mexico) get as much easting as you can leaving Corpus. The lure to fall off a few degrees to make better time, or worse yet, trying to cut the butter around the tip of Yucatan, will bit you in the butt. if you dont get your easting and drop too far south you could hit the
gulf stream and get stuck in the bay of Campeechee (is a drag, I know). Remember the
gulf stream comes up through there and takes a nice hard right, screaming around the tip of the yucatan. You will hit the stream, just try to hit it as late as you can on your Isla M approach.
Many cruisers heading to Yucatan from
Texas take a different approach by making two long tacks to get to the straits between Cuba and Mexico. One long tack towards Tampa, then another to the tip of Yucatan. I've never tried it, most cats who don't want to beat ( or cant) do this route. In many ways it can be faster.
Hope that made sense, still haven't had my morning tea!!