Forced to change plans - where to go now?

[apirate]

This is our first year cruising. We left Texas with a loose plan to go to the Bahamas first and then spend the summer in luperon DR. We made it to Boot Key Harbor in the Florida keys and, until COVID-19 sprang up, have been waiting for a weather window to cross.

We’re now cruising the out islands of the keys and starting to discuss where we go from here. Our preference would be to be in a hurricane hole or outside of the box for summer. Places we can anchor and stay out of marinas. With countries closing borders it seems traveling north along the the US east coast would be prudent rather than going south.

My question is for recommendations where to go. We’ve never considered going north before. Any ideas?

[a64pilot]

What were your plans for Hurricane season to begin with? Surely they weren’t stay in the Bahamas.
I’d execute the Summer plan early.

[apirate]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

What were your plans for Hurricane season to begin with? Surely they weren’t stay in the Bahamas.
I’d execute the Summer plan early.

See above, we had planned to spend the summer hurricane season in Luperon, DR. That’s now no longer an option.

[Montanan]

Perhaps a simple U-Turn and return to Texas if that is your home State.

[chuckr]

Why not north along the EC of the USA any idea how long it is? See something that you would not otherwise experience .. but what is your mast height ..
There is really a lot to see and do and your insurance company will appreciate it .. and what insurance co would let you stay in the DR for hurricane without a huge premium

[Ded reckoner]

Apirate, our plans were similar to yours. Cross from the Keys to Bahamas in Feb, drop down to Turks & Caicos, then the DR, Puerto Rico, and down to Grenada by 1Jun. But, we have been stuck in paradise in St Pete. I assume countries will be through flattening their economies by mid-to-late April, so our revised sketch of plans is cross the Keys to Bahamas midMay. Skip Turks & Caicos and the DR but be below Puerto Rico by midJun. Keeping an eye on tropical storms and hurricanes, we'll get down to Grenada as soon as possible, targeting earlyJul.

[CaptRehab]

Stay in US waters. We are in Grenada and can’t move. If you want to head North I can say the Chesapeake is lovely, As the weather gets warmer nothing beats sailing in New England. Most Marinas will be closed for some time. You might find getting fuel, water, provisions is very difficult. Chances are you are best to stay put until things open up. Best of. Luck

[CaptRehab]

https://youtu.be/mbYM24EhI2M

Here is our YouTube Channel. I will post more

[Steve_C]

If you can provision why not do the Bahamas for a while, before heading up the East Coast of the US. You could work your way up all the way to Maine as things warm up. Head back down next fall to the Chesapeake. This back down to the Caribe next winter!

Until things settle and become clearer with the new world order I would prefer to be close to or in the US. Lots more options as things develop.

Best of Luck!

[Pitchondesign]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

If you can provision why not do the Bahamas for a while, before heading up the East Coast of the US. You could work your way up all the way to Maine as things warm up. Head back down next fall to the Chesapeake. This back down to the Caribe next winter!

Until things settle and become clearer with the new world order I would prefer to be close to or in the US. Lots more options as things develop.

Best of Luck!

The Bahamas are now closed. All ports of entry shut down.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by chuckr

Why not north along the EC of the USA any idea how long it is? See something that you would not otherwise experience .. but what is your mast height ..
There is really a lot to see and do and your insurance company will appreciate it .. and what insurance co would let you stay in the DR for hurricane without a huge premium

New England is an absolutely AWESOME summer venue...if not still in lock down by summer.

Until then, I think staying put is the best option.

[bensolomon]

I second the Chesapeake Bay. A million anchorages, access to public transportation, etc. Great holding, good fishing, and more. It's my home waters. Also it's a three day sail to New England from Chesapeake.

[Paul L]

If it was me I'd sit tight for at least 4 to 6 weeks and see what the situation is then.
Then I would probably head to the Chesapeake to get some hurricane season protection. From there you can decide if you want to go further north, like Maine, or just explore and/or hunker down in the Chesapeake. Lots of anchorages and places to explore there.

[letsgetsailing3]

I think you head back to Texas, particularly if you have family there.

[Midnight Son]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

I think you head back to Texas, particularly if you have family there.

+1 Agree, your turn to try farming, i.e. living in next year land.
I really don't see this ending any time soon. Black Plague came in waves, Spanish Flu came in waves. I do not think this will be any different.