What route would you take?

[RobD527]

I am trying to figure out a good route to take from St Thomas to SW Florida on a 39' Powercat.
Can anyone recommend route and some good places to stop?

[BryFi]

in for later...

I'm interested in this topic as well

[RobD527]

Originally Posted by BryFi

in for later...

I'm interested in this topic as well

I found many routes going to the Caribbean from Florida but not coming back, if it matters?

[Enfant Du Vent]

I've done that passage a couple of times....but about 30 years ago. Still, I don't imagine the islands have moved much.


Simply, it's a straight run, staying north of everything but the Turks & Caicos and Bahamas.
San Juan is a great stop, especially to see the charm of Old San Juan.
Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic is also a good harbor, had a pleasant evening atmosphere in the town, AND the El Presidente rum was "dangerously" cheap
From there we went right on through to Key West.


I expect others will have more recent information, but though I'd get you started.

[RobD527]

found some useful info here

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...mi-152590.html

[Stewie12]

Buy the guide the Thornless Path to the Virgins and do it in reverse. We did it with an 86ft motor yacht with only myself, wife and our two year old daughter.With the exception of Puerto Rico to Samana which was a 3am start from an anchorage at the west end of Puerto Rico, we day sailed it the whole way.Took on a truck load of rum in Puerto Plata, crossed the banks in the Turks and Caicos and anchored a little north for the night.Anchored at a dessert island so we would have good early light to follow the the passage into Eluthera, cleared in there, delightful place and people. Stopped in Nassau.Then across the banks near Chubb Quay.Anchored off Bimini and then into FT.Lauderdale.

[skipmac]

The best answer will depend on a couple of factors:

- range under power.
- goal of the trip: delivery mode, get there asap OR pleasure cruise, stop and smell the roses.

[Snore]

Beyond what skipmac posted, I will add how much fuel can the vessel hold on deck? And extra 50 gallons always helps.

Also gas or diesel?

I was bidding moving a dis-masted sailboat from that area. My tentative plan was refueling at Great Inagua. You need some range (with a safety factor), a good weather window and smart routing using the available currents

[Bean Counter]

What brand and model of boat and engine type, fuel capacity and power. Cruise speed/consumption under one motor etc , this will determine range and thus ports to visit and during the pandemic these may or may not be open. It is pointless people recommending the route from USVI via Turks if the boat can not do the distance with a safety margin.

[Enfant Du Vent]

Re-fueling at Great Inagua:

I hope things have gotten better, but years ago I was on a boat that re-fueled there. The price per gallon was high...and the notice said they didn't give change (this was back in the day of travelers checks, not plastic in the Out Islands.)
I'd ask around before planning a fuel stop there.

[RobD527]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

What brand and model of boat and engine type, fuel capacity and power. Cruise speed/consumption under one motor etc , this will determine range and thus ports to visit and during the pandemic these may or may not be open. It is pointless people recommending the route from USVI via Turks if the boat can not do the distance with a safety margin.

Its a Leopard 39PC and has a 1075NM Range at 4.6 knots

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by RobD527

Its a Leopard 39PC and has a 1075NM Range at 4.6 knots

And is the goal to just get there asap or to slow down and enjoy the trip. I believe this boat will do better than 20 kts but of course cut the range to about 300 nm or so so if you don't mind burning the fuel and traveling fuel stop to fuel stop that opens some options.

BUT, you need to check the latest Covid restrictions in the Bahamas as well. When are you planning to make the trip?

[RobD527]

I don't have a deadline for time and want to enjoy the trip. I did figure about a month. Im having a hard time now finding insurance and probably will not be able to insure it until 11/1.

I plan on leaving 11/1 and my other concern of course is the Covid.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by RobD527

I don't have a deadline for time and want to enjoy the trip. I did figure about a month. Im having a hard time now finding insurance and probably will not be able to insure it until 11/1.

I plan on leaving 11/1 and my other concern of course is the Covid.

Have made the trip a couple of times and enjoyed it immensely.

I would take the following route, assuming the travel restrictions on Covid are lifted.

In the past I usually bypassed PR the DR but several options for stopping there. If you're into diving a stop in the banks north of the DR would be very worthwhile.

Turks and Caicos next. Provo has a lot of resources and also nice diving.

Nothing much in the Crooked Island/Acklins Island group but a nice, easy entry harbor on the NE corner of Acklins but exposed to the north.

Easy hop to Clarence Town Long Island. Next stop Georgetown Exuma. Best stop for groceries and supplies and flight connections if needed. From there work your way up the Exuma chain. One of the best cruising grounds anywbere.

Then Nassau if you want. Again good place to restock but use your street smarts. From there enter the banks at the NW Channel and exit at Gun Cay.

This route does put you in Florida a little north requiring a run south down the coast to round the Keys but this is the most scenic route through the Bahamas.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by RobD527

I am trying to figure out a good route to take from St Thomas to SW Florida on a 39' Powercat.
Can anyone recommend route and some good places to stop?

You might find some useful routing and stopover info in this blog:
Captain's Blog Stardate 2009: Captain's Blog

The distance is about 1050 NM and I think they did it in about 9 hops.

-Chris