South Florida to Jamaica

[puertoseguro]

we are planning to sail down to Cartagena from florida to jamaica (port antonio) through the windward passage. It is the end of May already and we want to be in Cartagena by the end of june at the latets. which route would be the best, not going through the bahamas?? we think we can go down south through the bahama bank and then cross the old bahama channel and follow the cuban coast to the windward passage?
any recommendations? what is the best way to beat the gulf stream? also good recommendations of marinas in port antonio?? thanks!

[Inkwell]

Check out Jimmy Cornell's book on world cruising routes at your local marine bookstore. His guides are unusally comprehensive sailing info on the best routes.

[osirissail]

Although that may look like a direct way to get to Cartagena - Florida -> Jamaica -> Cartagena - - please look at the Atlantic Pilot Charts and you find it is a rather nasty way to get there. There are two "reasonable" weather-wise routes; Bahamas to T&C to D.R. - Samana then south to the ABC's and west along the coast to Cartagena ( a rather long route but out of the nasty circle of water between Jamaica and Columbia. Another route is from Jamaica to Panama via Providencia, St Andres and Panama then east to Cartagena. This is shorter and also avoids the nasty area between Jamaica and Columbia - but May is not a good month and as the season gets on the early Tropical Storms start up first in the western Caribbean in June.
There is only one marina in Port Antonio and they have a website and advertise in all the sailing/cruising publications. The rest of Jamaica is not particularly safe for visiting boats so be wary and careful.
However, if you have a "green-water" boat and experience with gales and monster seas, then the route from Jamaica to Cartagena is do-able.

[CaptBarry]

The second route osirissail recommends makes the most since I think.

The marina in Port Antonio is called Errol Flynn (876) 715-6044.

In St. Andreas you could try Nena's Marina. Small, but super friendly.