Preferred Fuel Stops between Virgin Islands and Florida's West Coast

[SeaFeret]

Hello All,

I'm looking for the best fuels stops between the Virgin Islands and the East Coast of Florida. Potentially moving a 50' cruiser and I'd prefer not to add tankage. Normally, I move sailboats and have less fuel concerns

Best prices and easiest fueling is my target. I'm sure there's lots of experience out there... and a few opinions too

Thanks In advance !

[Doug Brown]

This is a very easy beam reach sail with a Gulf Stream boost from Cuba north.

Why would you want to motor? It should take 8-days or less sailing and about 20-gals of diesel to keep the batteries topped up.

You could fill up if you really needed to on the West end of Puerto Rico or on the East end of the DR. Nassau. And when you get off of Florida, just about anywhere.

Good luck.

[marlinmike]

Because he said it was a power boat...?

Originally Posted by Doug Brown

This is a very easy beam reach sail with a Gulf Stream boost from Cuba north.

Why would you want to motor? It should take 8-days or less sailing and about 20-gals of diesel to keep the batteries topped up.

You could fill up if you really needed to on the West end of Puerto Rico or on the East end of the DR. Nassau. And when you get off of Florida, just about anywhere.

Good luck.

[SeaFeret]

Originally Posted by Doug Brown

This is a very easy beam reach sail with a Gulf Stream boost from Cuba north.

Why would you want to motor? It should take 8-days or less sailing and about 20-gals of diesel to keep the batteries topped up.

You could fill up if you really needed to on the West end of Puerto Rico or on the East end of the DR. Nassau. And when you get off of Florida, just about anywhere.

Good luck.

Doug,

it is a power boat.... I wish it had sails
Thx

[Doug Brown]

It would probably really help if I read your post correctly - sorry!

[bvimatelot]

Depending on its range I would top up in San Juan, PR though you will still have to clear customs there - even though its still a US territory (commonwealth, actually), then Puerto Plata on North coast of DR, then go through the Old Bahamas Channel with an option to re-fuel in Cuba (you can go there nowadays - yes?), which should get you home. I've done it a couple of times on deliveries with no problems.

[akprb]

Rum Cay used to be a good stop, are they still pumping? There to Nassau to Bimini or Cat then FL :-)

[PappysSailing]

I would suggest that if you do decide to stop in San Juan that you check the NDBC report on that buoy that lies just north of the SJ channel before you leave. I hear that you are required to check in with the harbor patrol there no less than 3 miles out and when they are experiencing large swells from the north they will not allow smaller vessels in. In that case, Fajardo would be the better stop. Good luck. Cheers, Pappy

[SeaFeret]

Thanks bvimatelot '

I am thinking along similar lines but I'm a little afraid of going the Cuba route as is an unknown for US sailors

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by SeaFeret

Hello All,

I'm looking for the best fuels stops between the Virgin Islands and the East Coast of Florida. Potentially moving a 50' cruiser and I'd prefer not to add tankage. Normally, I move sailboats and have less fuel concerns

Best prices and easiest fueling is my target. I'm sure there's lots of experience out there... and a few opinions too

Thanks In advance !

We have found good prices on diesel at the marina in Puerto Real just north of Boqueron. Typically we will fill up again in the Turks and Caicos, usually South Side marina in Provo. From there you can easily reach the Flying Fish Marina in Clarence Town on the east side of Long Island. Going north you've got many fuel stops in the Exumas followed by Nassau, Chubb Cay, Bimini, etc.