Rio Dulce Best Marina for first timer?

[model 10]

I'm going back, this is BS with the boat in FL with all the storms, the Trumpism, it's all too much.
They can really cram them into the marinas down there.. With no real WX, the wake from speed boats during Easter is the worst thing that happens.

[model 10]

[QUOTE=belizesailor;
You can cruise Belize till quite late in the season and then run for the Rio at the first forecast tropical threat.[/QUOTE]

What does that mean, "Late in the season"? Seems like the big problem with checking out of BZ is where? I would not spend much time anchored at Punta Gorda with a storm on the way.

[NautiNurse63]

Which marina had both breeze and great town access?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Guy

What does that mean, "Late in the season"? Seems like the big problem with checking out of BZ is where? I would not spend much time anchored at Punta Gorda with a storm on the way.

"Late" being well into the summer months and beyond (I used to live in Belize so was there year round). Weather is typically quite nice, but can be squally at night.

The biggest risk in late hurricane season is those storms that form right off Honduras (like Mitch). Watch the weather closely and run early.

When a 'cane is coming, Guatemalan officials can be quite understanding (Belizeans...maybe not so much). I once made multiple runs moving charter boats to the Rio without clearing in or out. The Guatemalan officials did know I was doing this though and we sorted out the paperwork later.

I have specifically skipped clearing out at PG before because it was untenable...weather was already deteriorating.

Most of the time though, you will have enough lead time to clear out properly. Watch weather fax synoptic charts...a tropical wave crossing a closed low off Honduras is a formula for instant tropical weather. Get gone before they converge.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by NautiNurse63

Which marina had both breeze and great town access?

Despite being a ways inland, there is a sea breeze almost every afternoon on the Rio...so many get an afternoon breeze. Great town access...Brunos is right there, but that has its downsides too. Tijax is a short dink ride. Tortugal is a longer ride, but not bad...they also make multiple launcha runs into town each day to shuttle staff...and you can walk from Tortugal, but its a longish walk.

RAM, MAR, and Nana Juana are just across the river from town.

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by NautiNurse63

Which marina had both breeze and great town access?

One side of Catamaran and part of Tijax can be sheltered from the prevailing afternoon breezes

[model 10]

Boat wake is a problem also. Almost every marina has the problem but some are bad. A better breeze might mean more speedy boats going by too. Being close to town is very noisy and very busy
Nighttime security is an issue also. Some of the marinas have armed guards at night others don't. Some marinas are only accessed by water so are a little more secure.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Guy

Boat wake is a problem also. Almost every marina has the problem but some are bad. ...

"Rio Tsunamis"...some seem deliberate.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

"Rio Tsunamis"...some seem deliberate.

We left our boat at Monkey Bay one season. It was so bad it wore through fenders and actually damaged our boat. They had it fixed for us but still it can happen.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Guy

We left our boat at Monkey Bay one season. It was so bad it wore through fenders and actually damaged our boat. They had it fixed for us but still it can happen.

Monkey Bay is pretty exposed to big wakes...a factor to consider.

For the OP's benefit: many wealthy Guatemalans have homes on the Rio...and they like big SeaRays...and they like to cruise around at just below planning speed, thus creating maximum wake.

Choosing a marina/slip that has some protection from such big wakes is a consideration...though it may come at the expense of good ventilation.