Wow, thats gonna be an ugly fuel bill. Have you done the math versus yacht transport?
Most obvious
route is
Bahamas, Windward
Passage,
Jamaica, San Andreas, Bocas del Toro, Colon (assuming you're going to the Canal). Ive run all of this route except the
Jamaica - San Andreas leg (did Jamaica - Bay Islands instead...and then years later around to San Andreas). But all under sail...burnt less underway between FL and
Honduras than you will in 2 hours...ouch.
The
Bahamas - Jamaica and Jamaica - San Andreas legs are going to present fuel capacity issues for you.
Windward
Passage can get pretty sporty, call your
weather window carefully. Lots of
commercial traffic here, and FL Straits, and approaches to
Panama Canal...AIS and
RADAR good to have in these areas.
Typically little or no
wind after you get S of about 11N...good for a
power vessel.
Running a straight line course between Bocas and Colon should put you in a favorable
current...I learned this running it the opposite direction...not good.
You will want to keep an eye on the extent of the area of rough seas off of
Colombia...this can expand over to the San Andreas area at times.
Some interesting and variable
current patterns after you leave Jamaica, I suggest pro routing for that leg. I used Chris Parker for our Jamaica - Bay Islands leg...saved us a ton of time versus the rhumb line course.
If you can find a copy "Gentlemans Guide to Windward" that may provide some useful route ideas for you...although written mostly for sailing vessels it is relevant for
power too.
Get a copy of the "Rains Guide". It will be useful to you for planning the W Carib
parts. Get Eric Bauhaus' guide for
Panama.
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