From Virgin Island to Florida

[stevenit]

Thanks again for all the useful information you gave me on my previous thread
(http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-177833.html)

Now we are in Caribbean (French Antille), crossed the Atlantic in 18 days and we are sailing up...
Due to our "important draft", 2,8 meter.. 9,5 feet.. we are looking the best routage for sailing up from Virgin Island to Florida.

We do not know if it is possible to enter (and how is saili into) in the "tongue of the ocean) and stay windward to Andros Island or sail between Cuba and the great Bahama Bank...

Sorry if I will not reply quickly, but the internet connection is not available everywhere.
:-)

[s/v Moondancer]

Best Islands to Florida trip we have done was north of Puerto Rico , through the Old Bahama Channel and north of Cuba...We rode the trades and current all the way to Key West without worrying about the depth of the water.

[pete33458]

Through the Old Bahamas Channel (between Cuba and the Bahamas Banks) is not only devoid of significant depth considerations (at least until you make landfall in Florida), but will put the prevailing winds, as well as a 1 knot current, at your back. When we did it a few years ago, it was nothing to be going 12-13 knots (SOG) in a 44' under sail. The other route (up through Tongue of the Ocean) is more scenic of course, but you will have repeated depth challenges, not just entering Tongue but all across the Banks. Not by any means impossible, but more tactical for sure.

Pete