St Maarten to New York/Newport RI

[Captain Jeffry]

Was hoping to get a little advise re sailing from St Maarten to NY or RI, mid to end May.
I have delivered two boats up the ICW from Miami to Annapolis after boat show">Miami boat show. Went out to the Atlantic at Cape Canaveral and back in at Charleston, SC. Big northern push from Gulf Stream.
Not looking to do the ICW on this trip.
We are a solid 7-8 kt boat.

Some info on the following:

1) Where check in to the USA (easiest, most accessible. etc..)
2) What are some good bail out spots along the way?
3) Any tricks to the route itself?
4) Easy fuel stops along the way.
5) Is Bermuda an option?
Am I missing anything?

Will gladly share entire west coast US/Mexico/Hawaii/Puget Sound/Panama North and Panama East and South Pacific info.. (my backyard for 40 years)

Thanks!

Jeffry

[estarzinger]

1. Newport is good
2. Beaufort, Bermuda, Chesapeake
3. The Gulf Stream . . . Find it and jump in if the weather is good, avoid it if the weather is bad, watch out for eddies
4. None . . . You are offshore
5. Sure but it adds distance and takes you away from the possible Gulf Stream ride.

[boatman61]

Personally I'd run straight for Bermuda (900 odd miles).. then NY just another 650 miles.. stock for the whole trip as St Martins cheaper than Bermuda
Good sailing.. keep an eye out for early tropical storms that late/early in the season..

[TEE]

Remember if you need bail out ports not all in the US have CBP available. So, to have a viable bail out port, need to plan for a customs stop first. Seems to me boatman61 is suggesting just about what I would do, that is, pass close enough to Bermuda if necesary to stop, but not plan on stopping there, then on direct to clear customs in US.

If you decide to pursue a more Westerly route, you can clear customs in Florida, then do the Gulf Stream ride after getting updated weather. Following the US mainland gives you Cape Canaveral, Beaufort, Charleston, Beaufort NC, Norfolk/Portmouth as alternative weather ports.

One aspect of the direct route ala boatman61 is by passing Bermuda you can avoid having to deal with the Cape Fear to Hatteras passage by remaining East of it, and if you do get caught in weather you are at least out to sea.

[donradcliffe]

I did the BVI-Bermuda-Newport run a few years back. Its easier than the Baja Bash and a lot quicker than going to Florida and working up the coast. Later is better,as we arrived in Newport by Memorial Day, and hit solid frontal passages on both legs.

[Captain Jeffry]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Personally I'd run straight for Bermuda (900 odd miles).. then NY just another 650 miles.. stock for the whole trip as St Martins cheaper than Bermuda
Good sailing.. keep an eye out for early tropical storms that late/early in the season..

This sounds like a good scenerio. Thanks!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Jeffry

This sounds like a good scenario. Thanks!

Reason I mentioned the tropical storms was you'll be running up their likely tracks... once N of Bermuda you hit the cold stream from the N and everything changes to regular N'lies... Bermuda gives you a lay-up for a window if you need to slow down a couple of days..
I'd start checking www.passageweather.com from now till you sail and get the rhythms of the fronts and time your windows of opportunity..

[Captain Jeffry]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I'd start checking www.passageweather.com from now till you sail and get the rhythms of the fronts and time your windows of opportunity..

Sweet! One of my fav sites. Also have expedition gribs aboard. Many thanks!

[Sandero]

Done it several times both ways... Caribe to St Georges, St Georges to NE...

Wait for weather window for departure.

[Captain Jeffry]

Originally Posted by defjef

Done it several times both ways... Caribe to St Georges, St Georges to NE...

Wait for weather window for departure.

Muchas Gracias!

[MarkJ]

I'd do it as a straight shot.
Bail out is not really applicable as you would be well offshore of cape Hatteras. I wouldn't drop in on Bermuda....

Mark

[Kettlewell]

I've done it from PR to Bermuda, Bermuda to Newport. You will be early enough to have to worry about cold fronts coming off the coast and over the Gulf Stream more than tropical weather. We arrived in Bermuda on May 17 just before a huge northerly gale that rolled a 70 footer, and we didn't leave until June 17, arriving in Newport just hours before a strong front with 40 knots or so from the north. Loved Bermuda, and enjoyed cruising around the various islands and harbors.