Florida to Costa Rica ?

[Rhosyn Mor]

has anyone done this trip?. It looks not too bad, down the windward passage to Panama and straight to CR from there. Might be a little tricky going through the yucatan current.
Thanks for any info, just plotting out this years cruising destinations, not set on anything yet.

[dawnconn]

I'm thinking of doing that too late this year. So far what I've read is on this site by GordMay. I think you can look up all his postings in the forums somewhere?

I think he's correct.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Rhosyn Mor

... Thanks for any info, just plotting out this years cruising destinations, not set on anything yet.

IMHO, "Not (being) set on anything" is the most important essential of cruise planning.

I don’t recall writing anything useful about making a Florida to Cost Rica passage; but follows a custom Google search of CruisersForum posts on “Costa Rica”:

Costa Rica - Google Search

[s/v Moondancer]

Not a hard trip... If from the east coast in the Florida Straights you need to stay out of the Gulf Stream either by keeping north near the Dry Tortugas or hugging the Cuban coast where there is often a counter current. If from the west coast there is a return current flowing out of the Gulf which it is posible to ride.

The Yucatan Current

[awriter111]

Greetings, Have made that passage both ways. Whenever I travel through the Florida Straits to the Caribbean I go with the flow. Through the windward passage into the Carib. either hopping through the Exumas and past Long Island or the Old Bahama Channel under the Bahamas. Everything flows that way and emergencies have many outlets of safety. I have experienced nightmares shooting for the Yucatan from the Keys. Not always, but hey if there is no hurry why push it. Anyway you know what is said about advice..... Have a great trip......jm

[skipmac]

Personally I would go down the Keys and through the Yucatan Channel and cut south to CR. You will be going against the current that way but will have a favorable wind. From FL to the Windward Passage can be a tough beat, usually hard on the wind all the way and I just hate tacking.

You didn't mention what time of year.

[awriter111]

I think it's one of those personal preference deals. I've rarely had to tack if hopping through the Bahamas cause you route can adjust the route everyday for the wind. I like stopping off at lots of places and I get that opportunity then. I aso have a spot during the summer that I catch Blue Marlin every time I cruise through there. I sportfished profesionally for a long time so I like dragging something behind.(of course that was on my trimaran making 10-12 knots). I caught 4 in one morning in 87. No one fishes anywhere near this spot and I found it quite accidentally. I know if I was in a hurry to get to Central America I would take the Yucatan Channel. Right now, I'll go any way anyone wants to go....

[Rhosyn Mor]

thanks for all the info, really useful stuff.
I think the plan is coming together; Annapolis to Florida, Bahamas, windward passage to Port Antonio, Jamaica, and then on to Cartagena.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by awriter111

I think it's one of those personal preference deals. I've rarely had to tack if hopping through the Bahamas cause ...

.. I have an engine.

[awriter111]

That does make all the difference. I changed the 11 horse in my trimaran to an 85 hp perkins. Cross 40 and at just above idle she made 12 knots. Couldn't run it up past 950rpm's the stern would start to dig. The range was unbelievable at 1/3-1/2 gallon an hour. jm

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by Rhosyn Mor

has anyone done this trip?. It looks not too bad, down the windward passage to Panama and straight to CR from there. Might be a little tricky going through the yucatan current.
Thanks for any info, just plotting out this years cruising destinations, not set on anything yet.

Hmmm, what exactly does this have to do with sailing to Costa Rica?:

Originally Posted by Rhosyn Mor

I think the plan is coming together; Annapolis to Florida, Bahamas, windward passage to Port Antonio, Jamaica, and then on to Cartagena.

[awriter111]

Sometmes I get carried away in the moment.....

[puertoseguro]

did you cross? I am also planning a similar route at the end of May, from Miami to Port Antoni, Jamaica through the windward passage and then to Cartagena. we are not stopping in the bahamas, in fact we will cruise south east along the bahama bank. any suggestions??

[CaptBarry]

Its a nice trip, Port Antonio is a good stop.

If you need a trustable hand while you are there, ask for Teeto (aka spyder head)

Capt Mike who runs a charter service and bar up the road from there is also very helpful.

Winnifred Beach is a nice day trip from there by taxi. Small, friendly and cheap.

Any trip thru there should also include a stop at San Andreas! Just my opinioin!

Good luck,

Barry

[alesandrabia]

i need a private boat ride from us to costa rica. my cell is 757 632 1698