East Coast or West Coast

[Zzmeyer]

I've spent a sailing career in Southern California and Western Mexico (Baja, Sea of Cortez and mainland west coast of Mexico). We just bought a boat being delivered to Fort Lauderdale and plan to cruise Bahamas, Caribbean and Eastern Mexico, Honduras and Panama before returning home. Having never done the Eastern side I'd ask for those who have done both please compare. Not a battle of what is better. Just the things to enjoy and be aware of. Thanks!!

[nhschneider]

We, too, have spent most of our lives (and we’re really old) sailing on the left coast (8 times from San Diego to Mexico and back, once returning from Baja via Hawaii and Alaska) and for the first time have spent the last two years cruising the east coast of North America, from the Canadian border down through the Bahamas and two days ago through the Windward Passage.

There are an exponential number of destinations, anchorages, islands and rivers to explore on the East Coast than on the West. Add to that such exciting places like New York City, Washington, DC or fabulous remote islands in the Bahamas. We have been properly impressed and even though we’re looking forward to cruising the Sea of Cortez again, the time we’ve spent on the East Coast will never be forgotten.

Good luck, fair winds and calm seas.

[Zzmeyer]

Thanks. Do you have a favorite cruising ground? I sailed the Chesapeake a lot and a trip over to Bermuda and down the ICW. The boat will be in Florida. The Keys and the Bahamas look fantastic. The Caribbean may be a bit too far as I will also be bringing the boat around to California and I don't have an infinite amount of time.

[nhschneider]

If you have the time, I would encourage you to visit Down East Maine, which we found to be beautiful, unique and interesting. We left Charleston, SC, for the Bahamas and we cleared in at Green Turtle Cay but we enjoyed Eleuthera and the Exumas more than the Abacos. The stop we made at Great Inagua was terrific and we had an easy trip through the Windward Passage. When we left California (almost 8 years ago), Active Captain wasn’t too popular but now it’s one of our best sources of information for anchorages, facilities, restaurants, etc.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[Zzmeyer]

So very helpful! Thanks. I have a very good cruising guide to the Abacos. What are your favorite guide(s) for the Eleuthera and Exumas?

[AJ_n_Audrey]

Originally Posted by Zzmeyer

So very helpful! Thanks. I have a very good cruising guide to the Abacos. What are your favorite guide(s) for the Eleuthera and Exumas?

Well, you must, must have Explorer Chartbooks for the Bahamas.

[Safari38LH]

Originally Posted by AJ_n_Audrey

Well, you must, must have Explorer Chartbooks for the Bahamas.

Do not use Navionics in the Bahamas!!!

[Zzmeyer]

i have read that. I have Navionics on my iPad but the boat will have Garmin. I understand their charts are much better. True?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Zzmeyer

i have read that. I have Navionics on my iPad but the boat will have Garmin. I understand their charts are much better. True?

Yes, it’s generally thought that they are Explorer based

[Cheechako]

Allow tons of time for the Bahamas. It's just killer. I've sailed the Sea of Cortez (1.5-2 years) and Caribe to Trinidad. Nothing beats the Bahamas for me. Get off the beaten path in the Bahamas and spend time. Especially South/East of Georgetown.

[Safari38LH]

Originally Posted by Zzmeyer

i have read that. I have Navionics on my iPad but the boat will have Garmin. I understand their charts are much better. True?

Yes, Garmin bought Explorer chart data which is considered the gold standard. We have both and would have been aground often had we used the Navionics.

Trick question: now that Garmin has bought Navionics with they update it with the good data?

[Zzmeyer]

or ....?