Plans for the Caribbean.

[Istaboa]

We are contemplating doing a trip from the Bahamas to the Turks and Caicos down to somewhere in the Caribbean.
What is the normal route for a powerboat? (57 Nordhavn) we are thinking...
Dominican to Puerto Rico then USVI. What should we study (cruising guides, charts) and what is the best time of year to do this? We have to be back north in July as to watch the Hurricanes on TV.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Istaboa

[stevensc]

There are lots of guide books Van Sandt and Steve Pavlidis each have written several.
I find a lot of information from reading the online logs of pople who are doing or have done the trip. there are several on this site including Chuck's travels in Sea Treck.
You can try searching cruising in whatever area you are interested in and find more of these.
I am hoping to make the trip down the islands to Puerto Rico & VIs leaving in 2010 planning 18 to 24 months for the trip.
Steve

[AnchorageGuy]

Start with Van Sant's Gentleman's Guide To Passages South for routing and weather info for crossing. You will need Explorer Charts for the Bahamas. Steve Pavlidas has great guides for Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Bruce claims you don't need DR charts with his Guide but a general overall chart is handy.

[Hud3]

And...once you get to the Lesser Antilles, the most popular guides are Nancy Scott's for the Virgin Islands, and Chris Doyle's for the Leewards and Windwards. Steve Pavlidis has written one for the Virgins, also. I haven't tried it, but it's probably a good one, based on his Bahamas guides.