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luckylady22ft · 26-06-2021, 17:54

Thanks for the update. We did the Caribbean 1500 in 2005 from Hampton direct to Tortola (10 days) and then we cruised Caribbean for 4 years. You are right - Antigua is one of our favorites. Year 4 was direct from Granada to St Thomas then 7 months to get to St Augustine. Great 4 year trip. Read the Thorny Passage book and instead decided to go north from Abacos to Chesapeake to do the 1500 to Caribbean..
QUOTE=Nicholson58;3433766]Note:

Salty Dawgs used to go to the BVI. Not now. The government there is decidedly very difficult and unfriendly to foreign private cruisers. COVID has made it worse. The rally is Hampton, Va to English Harbor, Antigua. Some few boats join in along the way and some drop out in the Bahamas, PR, USVI. Weather occasionally pushes the fleet to Bermuda. Antigua is an ideal end point as it is the most East convenient place in the Caribbean with a marine infrastructure and plenty of harbor space. Good cruising as well and the Dawgs organize a lot of communal events. The Dawgs were formed as an alternative to the 1500. It is a rally, not a race and the fees are much less. There are usually a few perks with local businesses and the government. Entry last year with COVID was greatly streamlined with help from Antigua. From Antigua, you can transit NW or SW easily to the other islands, normally a reach. Barbuda is an easy half day sail north and is part of Antigua.[/QUOTE]

luckylady22ft · 26-06-2021, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckylady22ft

Thanks for the update. We did the Caribbean 1500 in 2005 from Hampton direct to Tortola (10 days) and then we cruised Caribbean for 4 years. You are right - Antigua is one of our favorites. Year 4 was direct from Granada to St Thomas then 7 months to get to St Augustine. Great 4 year trip. Read the Thorny Passage book and instead decided to go north from Abacos to Chesapeake to do the 1500 to Caribbean..
QUOTE=Nicholson58;3433766]Note:

Salty Dawgs used to go to the BVI. Not now. The government there is decidedly very difficult and unfriendly to foreign private cruisers. COVID has made it worse. The rally is Hampton, Va to English Harbor, Antigua. Some few boats join in along the way and some drop out in the Bahamas, PR, USVI. Weather occasionally pushes the fleet to Bermuda. Antigua is an ideal end point as it is the most East convenient place in the Caribbean with a marine infrastructure and plenty of harbor space. Good cruising as well and the Dawgs organize a lot of communal events. The Dawgs were formed as an alternative to the 1500. It is a rally, not a race and the fees are much less. There are usually a few perks with local businesses and the government. Entry last year with COVID was greatly streamlined with help from Antigua. From Antigua, you can transit NW or SW easily to the other islands, normally a reach. Barbuda is an easy half day sail north and is part of Antigua.

[/QUOTE]

SVNagambie · 02-07-2021, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

@SVNagambie

As I recall the N47 comes in two hull configurations: mini-keel or center board. Ive seen a N47 mini-keel version out of the water and was surprised how relatively small the mini-keel was. I cant imagine that going to windward is its strong suit. Which version is yours?

Ours has the mini keel. They don’t do centreboards on 47s.

SVNagambie · 02-07-2021, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montanan

Good recommendations.

Old adage: Gentlepersons don't sail towards weather.

The air draft of a NEEL 47 is 62' 4". That would be many a close shave transit along the ICW. A boat that large and wide really should not drive far along a ditch. I use the term "drive" as the ICW certainly is not a sail.

The OP's location states Alberta, not sure of citizenship of all that will be aboard. But just in case you or any other person that is aboard are an American, do realize that Cuba is a no go country for Yanks, illegal for you to visit as an American, so you would need to travel around and not put into Said country island.

Hope you enjoy your fine new boat and have many a fine voyage.

God speed.

I don’t think we are really interested in the ICW. Sounds like a lot of motoring, which is zero fun. We were just planning on chucking the yanks overboard once Cuba is in sight.