Florida to USVI

[woc]

Laggon 450 scheduled to sail to USVI early February looking for comparable boat to buddy up. Departure date somewhat flexible with no scheduled stops along the way. Suggested departure point, Key West.
Any and all routing or other recommendations from people who have made this trip at this time of the year are welcome

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by woc

no scheduled stops along the way

Are you serious? Recommend you read up on the Thorny Path, then get Van Zant's book, The Thornless Path.

Seriously, do not assume you will do this non stop. That is simply not sane in the winter.

2 Hulls Dave

[woc]

Thanks for the heads up Dave and I will read up on the thorny path. I would like to hear from anyone who has done the thorny / thornless routes this time of the year and their experiences

[chad.lawie]

Don't let 2hulls rain on your parade! you CAN do it!

It will be like this and some people really enjoy that.

[2Hulls]

I apologize for the gruff first response.

What I should have asked is, "Are you sure you want to do this? Have you studied the routes and applied the typical, known weather conditions in February?"

I have never done this route any time of year. I don't care to beat myself up. My recommendation to folks considering it with more time to plan is to go the the Chesapeake for the summer, then head from there non-stop to the Virgins after Nov. 1. Get there before the Christmas Winds. Then hunker down.

Good luck!

2 Hulls Dave

[woc]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

I apologize for the gruff first response.

What I should have asked is, "Are you sure you want to do this? Have you studied the routes and applied the typical, known weather conditions in February?"

I have never done this route any time of year. I don't care to beat myself up. My recommendation to folks considering it with more time to plan is to go the the Chesapeake for the summer, then head from there non-stop to the Virgins after Nov. 1. Get there before the Christmas Winds. Then hunker down.

Good luck!

2 Hulls Dave

No offense taken Dave,
You may be interested to follow Jimmy Cornells "Blue Planet Odyssey". The fleet organized by him left Key West Jan. 10 and are presently rounding Cuba heading for Jamaica on their way to Las Plas Islands, Panama.
My point is that there are no guarantees for weather and any trip well planned can be successful regardless of the time of the year.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, woc.

[capngeo]

Been there done that..... NEVER AGAIN; better to load it on Dockwise

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by woc

No offense taken Dave,
You may be interested to follow Jimmy Cornells "Blue Planet Odyssey". The fleet organized by him left Key West Jan. 10 and are presently rounding Cuba heading for Jamaica on their way to Las Plas Islands, Panama.

I have discussed routes personally, face to face with Jimmy on several occasions.

Leaving Key West they're going around the west end of Cuba and they'll have a rough time upwind to Jamaica, but if the wind is typical for this time of year - ENE to E - they can maybe make it in one long port tack. I expect they can bail out ashore in Cuba or Grand Cayman if the wind goes too far E or ESE and wait. I personally would not want to make that beat to Jamaica in January. I expect this has been chosen due to some other more time restrictive consideration further along their route. But once they claw their way to Jamaica, it's home free and all off the wind to Panama. Note they are not going around the world west to east.

Your route, on the other hand, is all upwind and much further to the USVI, on a boat not necessarily distinguished for its weatherly prowess.

My point is that there are no guarantees for weather and any trip well planned can be successful regardless of the time of the year.

OK, good luck. So proceed, and let us know how you do. But I do strongly recommend you pick out some places to stop and hole up for awhile. This is part of "well planned."

Alternatively, read van Zant's book, wait till March - at least, and take the Thornless Path, giving yourself plenty of time.

2 Hulls Dave

[woc]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

I have discussed routes personally, face to face with Jimmy on several occasions.

Leaving Key West they're going around the west end of Cuba and they'll have a rough time upwind to Jamaica, but if the wind is typical for this time of year - ENE to E - they can maybe make it in one long port tack. I expect they can bail out ashore in Cuba or Grand Cayman if the wind goes too far E or ESE and wait. I personally would not want to make that beat to Jamaica in January. I expect this has been chosen due to some other more time restrictive consideration further along their route. But once they claw their way to Jamaica, it's home free and all off the wind to Panama. Note they are not going around the world west to east.

Your route, on the other hand, is all upwind and much further to the USVI, on a boat not necessarily distinguished for its weatherly prowess.



OK, good luck. So proceed, and let us know how you do. But I do strongly recommend you pick out some places to stop and hole up for awhile. This is part of "well planned."

Alternatively, read van Zant's book, wait till March - at least, and take the Thornless Path, giving yourself plenty of time.

2 Hulls Dave

Time is all I have Dave...and rest assured that " the plan" includes waypoints for shelter along the way. No scheduled stops does not necessarily mean nonstop,

[woc]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, woc.

Thanks Gord, looking forward to some good exchange of experiences from around the world.

[wcapital]

I'm leaving Georgetown, Exuma on a St. Francis 44 around Jan 29 --Feb 2, for VI. Will wait to see timing of fronts (if any) and forecast before determining route. If favorable, maybe direct; more likely some version of Van Sant's thornless; or possibly Virgintino's suggested route thru Windward Passage and along S shore of Hispaniola & PR (see: A Thinking Man's Guide to Voyages South).

We may be a bit ahead of but feel free to get/keep in touch and compare notes.

Kevin - sailmustardseed@outlook.com

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