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11-07-2011, 07:22
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
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Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
We're about to buy a boat and put it on the hard for a year before heading out cruising the Caribbean. Curacao looks safe from hurricanes but I'm not familiar with the weather, wind and currents in the area.
Anyone have comments on sailing from the ABCs to Grenada.
Jackie
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11-07-2011, 07:59
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#2
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,523
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Jackie .
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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11-07-2011, 08:12
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A real life Zombie from FL
Boat: Gulfstar 53 - Osiris
Posts: 5,416
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Well, it is done by some but you will be going upwind and up current the whole way. Unless you have the fuel and an engine that will run for 4 days (+/-) as you motor sail upwind, it is not a pleasant journey. Not to mention you will probably want to stay at least 50nm away from the Venezuelan coastline which will limit tacking back and forth to claw your way upwind.
- - An alternative way is to sail north or northeast depending upon the season to one of the northern islands either in the Leewards or at the north end of the Windwards and then sail south down the islands to Grenada. That way the wind is not dead on your bow and you can sail versus motorsail.
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11-07-2011, 08:17
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
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11-07-2011, 08:30
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm done sailing around the world
Posts: 116
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
what's the reason you want to go to Grenada? ...
why not leave the boat on Curacao, either in a marina or on the hard at Curacao Marine? ...
what Osirissail said: not a very nice sail with the wind on your nose, but doable with the right weather window ...
__________________
Anya ... ~~~~ _/) ~~
https://gigglesopreis.com
"to get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"
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11-07-2011, 09:03
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
I guess, we're looking for a safe place to keep the boat for a year, then we plan to cruise the Caribbean, up to the Mainland USA for the summer and then back down to the Caribbean once more before heading through the canal. Maybe on the hard in Grenada is a better choice?
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11-07-2011, 09:38
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by osirissail
Well, it is done by some but you will be going upwind and up current the whole way. Unless you have the fuel and an engine that will run for 4 days (+/-) as you motor sail upwind, it is not a pleasant journey. Not to mention you will probably want to stay at least 50nm away from the Venezuelan coastline which will limit tacking back and forth to claw your way upwind.
- - An alternative way is to sail north or northeast depending upon the season to one of the northern islands either in the Leewards or at the north end of the Windwards and then sail south down the islands to Grenada. That way the wind is not dead on your bow and you can sail versus motorsail.
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Why would one want to stay so far away from the Venezuelan coast?
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11-07-2011, 11:23
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm done sailing around the world
Posts: 116
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Quote:
Why would one want to stay so far away from the Venezuelan coast?
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for obvious, dangerous reasons ...
Los Roques, Las Aves and Blanquilla (all Venezuelan islands) are OK ...
__________________
Anya ... ~~~~ _/) ~~
https://gigglesopreis.com
"to get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"
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11-07-2011, 11:27
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#9
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Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachgirl1952
Blanquilla (all Venezuelan islands) are OK ...
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Blanquilla I have been given advice that its not secure.
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11-07-2011, 11:30
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#10
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Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricM
Anyone have comments on sailing from the ABCs to Grenada.
Jackie
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Grenada is nice. People are great, happy, honest, hard working. It makes it a very nice firendly change.
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11-07-2011, 11:54
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm done sailing around the world
Posts: 116
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
if your insurance allows you to be in Grenada, that would be a nice choice (dryer than Trinidad?) ...
but be sure they tie your boat down with straps anyway ...
shrink-wrapping may be another advice ...
especially when you leave the boat for a year ...
__________________
Anya ... ~~~~ _/) ~~
https://gigglesopreis.com
"to get something you never had, you have to do something you never did"
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11-07-2011, 18:40
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Ok, we'll pursue Grenada. Thanks
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11-07-2011, 20:09
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#13
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always in motion is the future
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 19,039
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
It's easy... sailing from Curacao, make a big tack north to the Dominican Republic. Once there, buy plenty Ron Brugal Extra Viejo and plenty cases of Presidente beer. Now you're ready to follow the south coast and sneak past the Mona passage to Puerto Rico. Once there it all becomes much easier. Work your way to Virgin Gorda before turning south.
Hey Anja! hoe is het met de bloem?
ciao!
Nick.
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19-07-2011, 01:53
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Galveston Island, Texas, USA
Boat: Amel SM 53 - BeBe
Posts: 953
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
From Curacao sail east to Bonaire, about 25 miles if memory serves, directly into the wind. Wait for best weather in autumn before winter stronger winds set in (usually mid-to-late November) then sail to Virgin Islands. It can be done. We sailed this route 19-21 Nov 2006. Hard on the wind but very definitely doable before winter winds set in. We landed at Christmas Cove and later cleared in on St. John. Rest up; stock up on food items you won't find farther south. Then leisurely sail back down to Grenada.
This is far more comfortable that beating or motoring directly into the wind and fairly strong current from Curacao straight to Grenada.
Judy
S/V BeBe
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19-07-2011, 07:57
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: A real life Zombie from FL
Boat: Gulfstar 53 - Osiris
Posts: 5,416
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Re: Sailing from ABCs to Grenada
Where you can "sail" to depends greatly upon the season of the year. Generally in the Caribbean in the Winter months the winds are predominantly from the east and northeast. This usually results in only being able to "sail" to the islands from the D.R. to the Virgins.
- - However in the Summer months they shift to being from the east and southeast. This shift in winds enables you to "sail" to the more eastern islands ranging from the Virgins to Guadeloupe. A cruiser friend set out during this season hoping for Martinique and ended up on Guadeloupe after 4 days of beating hard on the wind.
- - In either case, unless you are willing to motor-sail upwind, up-current you will have to accept that you will end up significantly north of Grenada and then have to sail back southwards to get to Grenada.
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