Grenada via Panama to Bahamas

[lagoon100]

Hi

Are there any problems (wx wise) to expect if we are doing the following (we are in a 44' cat):

- Grenada to Aruba to Panama in January
- Panama to Belize to Kuba in Feb.
- Cuba north site via Bahamas to Turks and Caicos in March

Any coursing or planing books you guys recommend, i find the Ocean Passages for the World book very expensive.
Is the sud part of the Bahamas already warm enagh in March?

best regrads
Lagoon

[Hud3]

I don't think you need Ocean Passages for that trip. The way you're proposing to go seems to be the preferred direction, as it minimizes adverse wind and currents, and your timing seems good.

You can take a look at the Atlas of Pilot Charts to get an idea of average wind and current conditions. I'm sure some one will chime in with cruising guide references.

[Bradley]

Wow! That is 2 or 3 years of cruising -- not 2 or 3 months. It is a good time of the year for all of those passages. Though the Bahama passage may be better in April.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by lagoon100

...Is the sud part of the Bahamas already warm enagh in March?

Warm enough for what?
I find the Southern Bahamas "warm enough" all year 'round.

Average High and Low Temperature (Monthly Averages)
Month High ~ Low
January 77.0̊ F ~ 64.0̊ F
February 77.0̊ F ~ 65.0̊ F
March 79.0̊ F ~ 66.0̊ F
April 81.0̊ F ~ 69.0̊ F
May 84.0̊ F ~ 72.0̊ F
June 87.0̊ F ~ 76.0̊ F
July 89.0̊ F ~ 77.0̊ F
August 89.0̊ F ~ 77.0̊ F
September 88.0̊ F ~ 76.0̊ F
October 85.0̊ F ~ 74.0̊ F
November 82.0̊ F ~ 71.0̊ F
December 78.0̊ F ~ 66.0̊ F

[lagoon100]

Hi, Thx a ot for your answers.

I just heart that there might be a hig rolling see from behind going from ABC Island's to the San Blas.

Bradley, it's is around 2500NM and that about 20 days sailing (150Nm in 24h), we plan to do about 6 big leags of 4 to 5 days not stooping everywhere and then the rest is doing nothing (exept repairing the boat).

Any crousing books you guys recomend?

best regrads
Lagoon

[Hud3]

The leg off the Colombian coast is regarded by some as one of the roughest passages in the world. CaribbeanCompass.com has some articles on cruising the Colombian coast in their archives. Might be worth a look.

[s/v Jedi]

That timing means you will get the highest winds and seas of the year on a not so easy passage between Colombia and Panama. You have to be prepared for 45 knots of wind and 20 ft seas and you will have a 90% chance of actually getting 35 knots and 16 ft seas. But it is down hill.

cheers,
Nick.