on the look out

[MicHughV]

For sure, going to the Carib by going north of the B'mas is the only way to go, no dispute there

But, if I had the choice of hanging out in the B'mas for a year, or the Carib for a year, hands down I'd pick the B'mas. So many different places and island groups to go, you'd be hard put to see everything in a year.

[Montanan]

Choices, wonderful choices.

How Long to Sail from Florida to the Virgin Islands? (2 Routes)

https://improvesailing.com/destinations/how-long-does-it-take-to-sail-from-florida-to-the-virgin-islands#:~:text=At%20six%20knots%2C%20sailing%20fr om%20Florida%20to%20the,would%20take%20about%20ten %20and%20a%20half%20days.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Don't forget that Florida will impose a sales tax on anything you buy....that will eat $3-4K out of your budget right there...a boat survey will eat up another $2K or so, marina costs, boat insurance, etc will put another dent in your pocket......you might get lucky and salvage $40K out of your $50 budget. $40K is going to buy you a piece of junk if you are looking at the 37-45' range.

As long as he heads south before his 90 days are up he doesn't have to pay the tax. Unless he's titling it in Florida.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I would think a trip from the UK to the Carib, would be a lot easier to do, than slugging you way to windward from Florida to the Carib, probably quicker too.

Spent 2.5 years in the E. Caribe. FLorida to Trinidad. Back to Florida once and also at the end in that time.. It was a rare event if I was beating to weather. I was not on a schedule.

[MicHughV]

As stated above....don't be on a schedule...is the trick to any successful voyage.

I can look back and say with confidence, that every time I have ever left on a trip to meet someone or be somewhere on a particular time schedule, meet a certain deadline, etc, I had the snot kicked out of me.

Sailing without a schedule is the ONLY way to go....

[Montanan]

The OP appears to be a Brit, which means they will operate on a different plan and list of events than the Yankees or the Floridians.

In the UK, the prevalent pronunciation is /ˈʃɛdjuːl/ (shed-yool), while the prevalent pronunciation in the US is /ˈskɛdʒuːl/ (skedzh-ool).

The prevailing guidance amongst navigators is to not have one or the other.

[MicHughV]

True...
Worcestershire Sauce in the UK is pronounced " Wooster Sauce" whereas in the USA it is pronounces "Wur-chester-sire Sauce"
Brits can't understand why Yanks can't pronounce it properly, but being as they drive on the other side of the road, much is not to be understood.

[Montanan]

It was the best of Shires.

It was the . . .

Actually it is simple to pronounce and request:

May I have some sauce from the Shire of Worcester?

[MicHughV]

I spent some time in England.....took some adjusting to drink warm beer, etc,
Bu tough to beat a good 'ole English fish and chips.....

[conchaway]

Contact Capt. John Virginio, Fla. Coast Yacht Sales (207) 671-0677
He is located in Fort Pierce, FL.

[Stewie12]

It is a hard to windward slog from Florida down to the Virgins. Better you look in the Caribbean for a boat there that the owners have finished cruising and want to go home. Start in the BVI and then look down as far as Grenada. You will probably get a better deal there than in Florida.

[MicHughV]

Nothing goes to the eastern Caribbean better and faster than Cruise ship

[Stewie12]

Buy a boat in the Caribbean and save yourself a hard slog to windward to get to the Virgins. It will probably be cheaper too as many cruises end there.

[ausnp84]

Some of the ignorant comments in here from folks that have never done this….

Yes, finding an older boat on that budget is entirely doable - we did exactly that as well. Had an amazing year sailing the Keys and the Bahamas, then sold it for 10% under what we paid for it. Buying in Florida is much better choice than in the UK / doing a Transat… one is coastal sailing, the other is a Transat🤦🏻*♂️

Good luck to the OP - it’s a fun plan ahead and I’m sure he’ll find something.

N

[Amapola]

I'd go to Annapolis, Maryland to shop for sail boats.