When to leave ?

[wheresmyboat]

Hello Cruisers,
As many of you already know there are many boats (MANY!!!) stuck in various ports throughout the Caribbean waiting/wanting to get back to the U.S. I am currently in the USVI and prepping to head back to the U.S. within the next few weeks. I (along with numerous other boats) will be joining the Salty Dawg Sailing Association Homeward Bound Flotilla. They are organizing a weekly Flotilla from 12 April to 10 May so that boats may “buddy” back home. They will provide organizational support such as weather routing, boat positioning, shoreside services, etc. Many, many thanks to them for organizing such a historical event.

Here’s my question for those of you “old salts” that have made the transit between the USVI’s and Eastern U.S.: which time period would be most advantageous to make this transit. As mentioned, the flotillas are scheduled every Sunday from 12 April to 10 May, and according to Jimmy Cornell’s World Cruising Routes the best time is late April to June. Trying to pinpoint an optimal time within this time period may not be doable, but if there are sailors out there that have that specific knowledge/recommendations, it would be helpful.

Thanks.

[psk125]

Outguessing Jimmy Cornell would be quite a feat.

[boatman61]

April and May should be just fine..

[Tupaia]

The problem with flotillas and rallies is a departure date. By far the most dangerous piece of navigation equipment is a calendar. Learn to understand and interpret the conditions and make your own decision when to leave.

[Moontide]

Lot depends on where you want to hit the mainland.

[AllenRbrts]

I would invest in a Chris Parker weather subscription, so you get daily updates on the Florida and East coast weather. Chris’ long range outlook currently projects a series of fronts coming off the east coast. “Although the FRONT that comes off the SE US Sun12 night-Mon13 will likely move across all the SE US there is likely a fast return of SW wind in its wake as we seem to be getting FRONTs every 3 or 4 days.”

Late April early May is probably a better time based solely on the weather.

[boat driver]

Any choice you make, call ahead and be sure you can arrive in a port/marina.
The unfortunate is you arrive in Florida and get quarantined at anchor when that was not your destination.
Argue as you desire, many small and remote area marinas may not permit you to get close, tie up, or even come ashore in a dingy. So provision to your destination non-stop and be sure they will accept you.

[Davie J.]

Until July the weather is pretty constant. It will generally come out of the SE and blow 10 to 15 knots: Broad or beam reach all the way to the US. Of course, there will be occasional squalls, but nothing to be concerned about unless you don't want to get wet. June is officially the start of hurricane season, but it's rare for one to form before July.

[DDabs]

I'd shoot for a full moon period... other than that I'd think the winds would be pretty consistent.

[Gaia]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

The problem with flotillas and rallies is a departure date. By far the most dangerous piece of navigation equipment is a calendar. Learn to understand and interpret the conditions and make your own decision when to leave.

A nice way to put it re the calendar and I could not agree more. Do your own thing and stay safe. Avoid the herd.

Jim sv GAIA

[boat driver]

For those in Asia, this is the Singapore present policy and those wondering how the US may respond-This might give some clarity.

https://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/ho...9-c6f5214bb2c9

[dougweibel]

The situation in the Bahamas appears to have become fairly unpleasant with boats being turned away and those already there being turned away from food, fuel and water ashore in many places. It is pretty understandable really as the medical facilities on the Family Islands are very limited and if Covid gets a toehold there those people are in big trouble.

Don't plan on being able to stop in the Bahamas.

[onestepcsy37]

friends of ours are in georgetown bahamas and were told yesterday that they can only come ashore to shop two days a week during certain times based on the first initial of your last name - i guess to limit the number of people coming ashore. other than that they say they are staying. he does have a watermaker.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by dougweibel

The situation in the Bahamas appears to have become fairly unpleasant with boats being turned away and those already there being turned away from food, fuel and water ashore in many places. It is pretty understandable really as the medical facilities on the Family Islands are very limited and if Covid gets a toehold there those people are in big trouble.

Don't plan on being able to stop in the Bahamas.

1) And don't plan to even be able to transit through the Bahamas, presently, the PM has banned any and all transits through the Bahamas. One needs to plan to stay outside their waters. The Turks and Caicos have closed their seaports and airports and have banned international travellers, so no stopping there.
Provision for an extended stay on your boat, fill your stores to the brim and expect to remain in transit without anchoring for rest or weather sheltering.

2) Avoid the dangers and mindset of Group think and Group Calandering. Be your own Captain, and thus your own Best Buddy. Don't be a lemming.

3) Stateside many if not most marinas are turning away transients. Plan ahead, don't expect services to be available. Public beaches and docks are typically closed for the duration of the emergency orders.

4) Abide by local jurisdiction shelter in place / stay at home emergency orders as to quarantine upon arrival, [14 days upon arrival into each state, no travel & isolation is the norm] and as to bans on non-essential travel which typically includes cruising. There be Statewide orders and in many instances, county and local that may be selectively more restrictive.

Godspeed.

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

The problem with flotillas and rallies is a departure date. By far the most dangerous piece of navigation equipment is a calendar. Learn to understand and interpret the conditions and make your own decision when to leave.

Not the Salty Dawgs. We've gone down to the Caribbean with them twice, and the rule is leave when you're ready, not on a schedule.

Maje