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Old 03-01-2014, 13:28   #1
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Sailing to USVI...

Any thoughts or concerns anyone can think of about sailing a 41.3 Morgan Out Island to the USVI from Miami next December?
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Old 04-01-2014, 11:08   #2
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Offshore or ' The Thorny Path ' ?
There is a strengthening of the Trade Winds about that time .They call these winds "the Christmas Trades ', and will be right on your nose at twenty knots . That said , hundreds of boats will be there right with you . I do not remember the name of the book , some one on here will , this book will tell ya how to do it .
From Miami you can kinda " daysail " down to the Caicos and then jump to the Dom. Rep. and beyond . I go the south shore of Puerto Rico and daysail mostly to the V.I.
Or from Miami , work your self east thru the Bahamas , put the wind on the right shoulder and sail east and north until you think that you can lay STT and then tack .
Sail south and east until your butter melts .
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Old 05-01-2014, 05:27   #3
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

A gentlemans guide to passages south by Bruce VanSant is what your after
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Old 05-01-2014, 05:48   #4
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

You absolutely need this book!

Also, you could head a little north and then jump across offshore?
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Old 05-01-2014, 06:03   #5
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

JUSTJOHN, I have not done the trip yet, but have been planning it for my 43' cutter. It is my understanding that the offshore route takes a week to 10 days, while the trip down through the islands takes considerably longer, like months unless you motor sail most of the way! As always, don't push the weather! gts1544
PS - I can't remember the name of it, but there is a big rally of boats that make the trip down each year together about that time.
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Old 05-01-2014, 06:05   #6
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Our blog at www.orpailleur.blogspot.com takes you from Miami in December all the way to USVI and beyond, following the gentlemans guide.
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Old 05-01-2014, 15:25   #7
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Quote:
Originally Posted by gts1544 View Post
PS - I can't remember the name of it, but there is a big rally of boats that make the trip down each year together about that time.
The carib 1500 and the Salty Dawg rally are two that head out in November.

This is a "must read" article. I have completely changed my plans based on it:
Don Street's Sailing Routes to the Caribbean | Cruising World

We too are heading down in November 2014, with three boys. Links for more stuff in blog below.
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Old 05-01-2014, 23:17   #8
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Is the trip meant to be a cruise or transit?
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Old 06-01-2014, 06:49   #9
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Thanks for the sound council my friends , I own, have read, and recommend "thorny path" as well. I was more looking for input on the Morgan Out Island as I have not sailed this model.
My course will be determined based on crew if I take any.
Thanks again for the input my friends and fair wind to us all
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Old 21-01-2014, 11:53   #10
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

I did the trip backwards (from St. Thomas to Charleston) in a Morgan 39 just before Christmas.

Morgans are slow and tend to roll, but are very spacious boats with a good, dry cockpit.
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Old 26-01-2014, 14:07   #11
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Thanks for the info my friend. Tell me about the roll please?
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Old 26-01-2014, 14:30   #12
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrycooper56 View Post
Is the trip meant to be a cruise or transit?
Excellent question. I did that trip last year, out Beaufort inlet... Down to walker Cay in the Abacos... On to Georgetown, then clear out at Mayagunna.

Straight shot down from there to ST. Thomas.... All you need is a frontal passage to ride the NE winds...
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Old 26-01-2014, 14:31   #13
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

Quote:
Originally Posted by justjohn View Post
Any thoughts or concerns anyone can think of about sailing a 41.3 Morgan Out Island to the USVI from Miami next December?
I did this trip to USVI from FLL with a Morgan Out Islander last year, We could not make it to the Virgins, and settle to Luperon. Just sure you bring lot of diesel. Morgan sucks in windward. But the fsihing was good and conch is plentiful.

Plan your stops wisely, Diesel costs a lot more when you are completely out.
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Old 29-01-2014, 10:21   #14
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Re: Sailing to USVI...

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Thanks for the info my friend. Tell me about the roll please?

About the roll, the Morgans are wide boats with a fairly shallow draft. Just makes it bob around a bit in the water. It's also fairly slow and sometimes incapable of surfing waves. I'm not terribly familiar with the 41 though.

I've heard the term bathtub used a lot in describing Morgans.

Overall I'd say the boat was very comfortable in terms of spaciousness though. We took the boat all the way from the Canary Islands to Antigua and then from there to St. Thomas, then on to SC on a delivery. So it's a capable boat for sure.
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