Common US Ports for Down Island

[johnkdean]

Is there a common departure port or last harbor for boats heading towards the Bahamas, St. John's or Bermuda. We would like to get aboard a boat headed to one of those locations. We live in Asheville, North Carolina and are headed for the coast in about a week.

What would you suggest as a point of departure that would provide the most activity or opportunity for us to get aboard and work/contribute towards expenses?

Feedback is appreciated!

John&Kathryn
www.gottalivethedream.com

[imagine2frolic]

Miami, because it is the closest. Then there is West Palm & Ft. Lauderdale, because of the short trips across the STREAM!..........i2f

[TaoJones]

I don't want to discourage you from your quest, Kathryn and John (and Luca), but at this time of year most pleasure yachts are returning north, not heading south. Most private yachts carry insurance that is void if the yacht is south of (generally) Cape Hatteras after June 1 and before December 1 (policies differ - the line could be further north or south and the dates can vary). The reason, as I'm sure you already know, is hurricane season.

At this time of year, most pleasure yachts are cruising northward to enjoy the summer months off New England. But most have already gotten to those cruising grounds by now.

If your hearts are set on finding an opportunity in the islands at this time of year, I'm not saying it's impossible - it's just not as common. It's understandable that a teacher's schedule only allows a summertime window of opportunity, and the islands can be wonderful then, but most cruisers will have long-since departed northward, or retreated south of about 12.5* north latitude (out of the hurricane belt on the southern side.)

Good luck in your quest.

TaoJones

[johnkdean]

Would it be conceivable that we could find travel to Bermuda from the S/E seaboard and then travel further up to the north?