Best Route BVI to George Town Exumas

[Radonic]

You may have read about trip planned on another thread. I am helping a friend who purchased an ex-charter boat in the BVI and deliver it to New York.

After much debate, they have decided to take it George Town Bahamas, then from there, through the Exumas to Nassau, up to the Abacos, and from their jumping off to New York City.

My question for this thread is simply this. We are starting our voyage in the BVI's and were thinking of stopping in the Turks & Caicos, and then over to George Town, Bahamas. Wonder if it is a good idea to stop in the Turks, we have 10 days to get to George Town including weather window wait time.

Which is the best route to Turks, and from there to George Town.

Has anyone done this voyage, and what would you recommend. Any tips, or things to watch out for.

Thanks.

Blogging aboard Black Diamond!

[s/v Jedi]

10 days? might as well use FedEx then. This trip will take you through some of the best places left unspoiled in this world to explore, but 10 days is nothing... you might have to wait for weather longer than 10 days.

Anyway, your only stops will be Big Sand Cay (most eastern part of the Turks & Caicos, nobody there, no check-in etc.) followed by GeogeTown itself. The trip from BVI to Big Sand Cay is the more difficult one but all is easy downwind.

cheers,
Nick.

[skipmac]

Nick pretty well sums it up. I have cruised this area and it is beautiful and unspoiled. Shame to miss it, but if you have only 10 days there is really no time at all for stopping. The least little glitch in the weather will not even allow you to make your schedule to Georgetown, much less stop anywhere on the way.

If you do have the time there are lots of harbors and lees to stop and anchor for a day, some with towns, some totally deserted. Very few resources along this route except for Grand Turk, Provo and Clarence Town (all very nice places to visit by the way).

Assume you already have this in mind but do be aware of getting too focused on a schedule. Getting locked into a deadline can lead one to take unnecessary risks.

[Hud3]

If it were me, I'd skip the T&Cs given your time constraints. It's about a five day passage, if you take the direct route. The only weather to be concerned about this time of year would be a strong cold front coming off the US East Coast, and they're usually not too bad at all at the latitudes you'll be sailing.

[knotnow]

Originally Posted by Radonic

Has anyone done this voyage, and what would you recommend. Any tips, or things to watch out for.

Thanks.

Blogging aboard Black Diamond!

Wow that’s a rhumb line of +- 800 miles. Add a conservative 15% and you better have good communications set up with the weather Gods to make in 10. Maybe it’s just my luck but it seems we never are able to start a delivery on schedule. Mechanical, weather ect. seems to always delay our starts and if you miss yours by a couple of days your screwed. In aviation it’s called “Get home it is” and can lead to an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

I have made that trip and she’s a dandy as others have said. Do yourself a favor and add some fudge factor in there.

FWIW

[bvimatelot]

Originally Posted by Hud3

If it were me, I'd skip the T&Cs given your time constraints. It's about a five day passage, if you take the direct route. The only weather to be concerned about this time of year would be a strong cold front coming off the US East Coast, and they're usually not too bad at all at the latitudes you'll be sailing.

Hud is right. If its a "delivery" rather than a pleasure cruise, a straight shot is best.

I've done this trip many times in most sorts of weather: best time was 4 days, worst was 7. Tony

[osirissail]

Why stop in Georgetown? For a delivery you can non-stop to Mayaguana - Abraham Bay and check in there. Then non-stop to Nassau via the Exuma Sound and Highborne Cay Cut or any one south of there that allows you a daylight entry onto the Banks. Be sure to have copies of the Explorer Charts before attempting to enter any cuts as some are downright treacherous and dangerous.

[Radonic]

We are meeting the next crew in George Town, the families and kids are flying down for 10 days, and we will take our time through the Exumas, to Nassau. Then shooting up to the Abacos, and off shore to NY direct.

The trip from BVI to George Town, would be nice to be able to stop somewhere along the way, thought Turks would be could, but maybe another island is a better idea.

Blogging aboard Black Diamond!

[Chuteman]

Similar trip in June '08 - Captain stopped here in DR
Caribbean Yachting Destination, Ocean World Marina & Casino - Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

VERY nice marina - we were there for less than 24 hrs (Fuel, water, nice dinner, good night's rest then off again) in off season
so it was not crowded at all - Don't get thrown by water park or casino - they are separate from Marina - so unless You want to enjoy it will not impact you.

Facilities = showers, a/c, e-mail, etc were welcomed after travel from Fajardo.
All Clearance Officials were there - get ready for more than a few to visit the boat incl Agriculture & Drug enforcement - but they were pleasant & professional. A marina worker stood by to help facilitate the process.

Might wanna call ahead to be sure if there is room in winter/spring

Route - from DR we jumped to Mayaguana, Bahamas (checked in) - Crooked Island - think there was another stop before George Town but that part is a little fuzzy - probably could dig out if you really need it - sounds like you guys are interested in speed so probably not important

Charts - like they said - don't underestimate

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Radonic

. . . The trip from BVI to George Town, would be nice to be able to stop somewhere along the way, thought Turks would be could, but maybe another island is a better idea.
Blogging aboard Black Diamond!

Problem with the Turks and Caicos is it is very sparsely charted and crossing the Caicos banks a rather shallow experience. You need to get the "Wavey Line" charts for the Turks and Caicos if you want to be reasonably sure you will transit without a incident.
- - But normally westbound, you are in a "sleigh-ride" situation and can pass close underneath (south of the Caicos islands of French Cay then West Caicos and on to Mayaguana's Abraham Bay. Should weather or other problems manifest themselves you can hang a right northbound and anchor off French Cay or proceed north via "Ship channel" - also known as "Freighter Channel" to Provo and take care of the problem. But from French Cay/West Caicos it is only another 60nm to Mayaguana, so why divert and waste a day.
- - Also to get into and out of Georgetown you really "must" / should have the Explorer Charts as it is a windy and tricky entrance/exit and shoals and shallows everywhere.
- - Also stopping in the Dominican Republic - Ocean World or any other place is not free and quite expensive for an overnighter. If cost is no factor then fine but again it is a delay that might just compromise your available weather window.
- - Although there are no facilities in Abraham Bay, Mayaguana beyond checking-in/out, it is a very good place to wait out the weather and has some of the best reef snorkeling/diving around - all for free.