Looking for tips on passage from Antigua to Ft. Lauderdale

[Jus Chillin]

In April four of us guys are moving a 44ft monohull from Antigua to Fort Lauderdale. None of us have made this trip before. Looking for helpful hints from someone that has made the South to North trip.

[boatman61]

Welcome to CF...
Its more of an E to W trip really..
Should be a nice easy run.. downwind and the current with you.. hard bits gonna be choosing the fun places you wanna stop along the way..

[pete33458]

Your post didn't give many hints as to what kinds of tips you are looking for. Don't run out of water?

I made part of this trip last April, BVI to Miami. We stopped in DR and then took the Old Bahamas Channel route from DR to Miami. Fast and fun, following seas, high winds, and 8-10 foot swells most of the time. Nowhere to stop after you leave the DR, if you are from the US. If you want more options for stopping, I would suggest T&C/Bahamas. No real downside to that option except that you have to be more careful not to run aground...

pete

[Cheechako]

Yep... just island hop.

[Jus Chillin]

Pete thanks for the comments. We plan this route: Antigua to St. Barts to BVI to PR to DR to T&C then tiptoe thru the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale.
Did you do many overnights?
How long did the trip take?
Neil

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by Jus Chillin

Pete thanks for the comments. We plan this route: Antigua to St. Barts to BVI to PR to DR to T&C then tiptoe thru the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale.
Did you do many overnights?
How long did the trip take?
Neil

We went nonstop from Tortola to Luperon (3 days/2 nights) and then from Luperon to Miami (5 days/4 nights). Your proposed route is much easier in many ways, and provides for all sorts of options in case of bad weather, etc. A little slower, but more scenic. Pete