Trinidad to Tobago

[Timd_chapman]

Has anyone ever sailed from Trinidad to Tobago, (the other way round is easy). If so how was it, did you hug the N coast of Trinidad?

[donradcliffe]

Its a bash to weather, and you are better off hugging the coast until you can fall off and make Tobago on one tack. You probably also need to clear out and in with the authorities, which is a PITA.

[Shrubb]

I plan to sail this route in next November. I sailed in July from Tobago to Chaguaramas and it was not this usually described downwind easy sailing : no wind half of the day, I had to run the engines 5 hours until I had a weak but usable wind for the remaining route.
I read in several guides and blogs that it is advisable to first motor run along the north coast of Trinidad, then stop in one of the few protected moorings, then sail directly to Store Bay or Scarborough as indicated above.
Is this really more efficient in terms of time and gazole consuming than motor running directly from west Trinidad to Tobago ?
In addition, is this route easily accepted by the customs (much hassle in T&T), who can ask for a direct route and clearing in as soon as possible in Tobago ? I read on a blog that it was possible after negotiation with them, this makes it uncertain.
Thank you for sharing experiences.