Plans messed up, advice needed!

[garychurch]

I am currently in Cap Cana Marina in the Dominican Republic. All Marinas in the DR are closed. With the Bahamas closed as well you have no practical way to get from the Caribbean to the US for the time being until some of these restrictions are lifted.

Some timelines have been announced but will no doubt be extended. It is likely we will not be able to transit the Bahamas until the May - June time frame. Hopefully the virus contagion will be rapidly diminishing by then. Ideally August look like the safest time to travel in the near term as we all wait for comprehensive testing and eventually a vaccine.

In response to our insurance requirements, we needed to get a new policy that requires us to be north of Savannah by July 1 as opposed to the old policy which required us north of Cape Hatteras by June 1. The dilemma we will face is this hurricane requirement date versus a potential restriction to transit the Bahamas.

At some point I think we would have no choice but to transit the Bahamas for none other than safety reason than to clear the Caribbean for hurricane season between mid-May and early June even if the Bahamas no transit restrictions are still in place. Fortunately, we can make the trip non-stop (maybe needing some overnight rest) with Q flag flying and take our chances with the Bahamian Government.

Good luck to all of those stuck, whether in the US, Bahamas or someplace in the Caribbean.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I would ask myself if I really need to recover the items in Florida at this time. Only you can judge that. Perhaps it would be easier to replace the few bits you actually need for a summer on the boat.

Do you think it’s easier way to return to US Mainland heading straight to Northern lands like NC, MD, Maine?
It’s going to be not only summer we will need to spend there if stay till the end of the hurricane season. We thought of taking some warm clothes for whole family from the storage, some other things, maybe some self defense stuff that would be good to have on board in this situation 🧟*♂️

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I'm currently in the keys with a 68' mast. I entered Biscayne Bay from the Biscayne channel to the north, and exited Angel Fish creek.

Both times I ended up going near low tide. Biscayne Bay channel at Night, (not recommended, it was about a 9 on the pucker factor). Angel Fish weaves among the mangroves, I wouldn't even try at night.

I rented a car recently. Enterprise has stepped up efforts to support customers, waiving one way fee in most cases, and doing a complete car wipe down between customers.

I wiped the steering wheel, and handles, and changed clothes immediately after anyways.

With the tides right now, and also low hanging power lines, there aren't any bridges I would try.


Reports of what fuel stations are open, and what parks, and marinas will allow you to go ashore changes daily.

Thank you very much! It’s a good news that rent a car is still possible!
If go to South Florida we thought that we will be entering around Cane Biscayne. Do you know if the anchorages at No name Harbour is still open?

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by garychurch

I am currently in Cap Cana Marina in the Dominican Republic. All Marinas in the DR are closed. With the Bahamas closed as well you have no practical way to get from the Caribbean to the US for the time being until some of these restrictions are lifted.

Some timelines have been announced but will no doubt be extended. It is likely we will not be able to transit the Bahamas until the May - June time frame. Hopefully the virus contagion will be rapidly diminishing by then. Ideally August look like the safest time to travel in the near term as we all wait for comprehensive testing and eventually a vaccine.

In response to our insurance requirements, we needed to get a new policy that requires us to be north of Savannah by July 1 as opposed to the old policy which required us north of Cape Hatteras by June 1. The dilemma we will face is this hurricane requirement date versus a potential restriction to transit the Bahamas.

At some point I think we would have no choice but to transit the Bahamas for none other than safety reason than to clear the Caribbean for hurricane season between mid-May and early June even if the Bahamas no transit restrictions are still in place. Fortunately, we can make the trip non-stop (maybe needing some overnight rest) with Q flag flying and take our chances with the Bahamian Government.

Good luck to all of those stuck, whether in the US, Bahamas or someplace in the Caribbean.

Hi! We’re not far from you
The beginning of August is a little bit late for us as we will not have insurance coverage these period.

Yes, Bahamas is closed and it’s unclear if it’s allowed to go through the territory of Bahamas... many our friends are planning on returning to USA sailing offshore the Atlantic directly to MD or Maine in May. Don’t you consider this possibility?

[doublewide]

Thank you for starting this thread. I can't wait to see what others plan to do.
I am single-handing in USVI right now. PM me if you want to talk.
My plans are not yet set, but I think I will get two crew, wait until late April or early May, wait for good weather, and sail non-stop from Charlotte Amalie to the USA via the Old Bahama Channel.
I plan tentatively to lay the boat up ashore in North Carolina until 2021.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Smart555

Good day, fellow cruisers!
We’re a family of 6, 2 adults and 4 kids, for now have been full time cruising around Caribbean for 2 years.
At the moment we’re staying in USVI. We had been planning on sailing to Bahamas and spending some time there. Then return to Florida and sell our catamaran there, to live some time on land. If we don’t have to sell it before the hurricane season starts go up North along the east coast and go on cruising a little more.

As it’s true for many of you, COVID-19 have messed up all our plans.
Bahamas is closed. We’re not sure if it’s possible to sell the boat now. According to our insurance police we have to be at 35-36 latitude North. We still need to pick up some of our belongings from South Florida.

There are too many questions to figure out.
First, when it’s better time to leave USVI, now or wait till May when the weather or situation with virus might got better (or worse) For now situation in USVI looks better than those in Florida. At the moment, we don’t have problems with fuel, groceries, laundry, for example. And it’s more quiet and less crowded than in Florida.

What route do you think better?
Try to sail to South Florida or head to Georgia or maybe South or North Carolina then try to return to Miami to pick up our things from storage before sailing North for hurricane season.

What route from Florida and place is better to spending hurricane season with good, hopefully safe and free anchorages?

We’ve got 40 feet catamaran, 24 beam and 67"mast.

We’re appreciate your advices, opinion and experience. It may help us to make more adequate decisions.

Thank you in advance! Stay safe!
SV ManaKai.

JMHO, Top your tanks off, I am assuming a water maker, buy anything you can in a can and stay put.

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by Smart555

Do you know if the anchorages at No name Harbour is still open?

Bill Baggs State Park is closed. https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa...ida-state-park

We moved from Elliott Key to the Miami Marine Stadium 3/30/20. We are anchored there among perhaps 30 boats. We did not go into No Name Harbor so I know nothing about it right now, but there were five or six sail boats anchored outside in the Florida Channel.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by doublewide

Thank you for starting this thread. I can't wait to see what others plan to do.
I am single-handing in USVI right now. PM me if you want to talk.
My plans are not yet set, but I think I will get two crew, wait until late April or early May, wait for good weather, and sail non-stop from Charlotte Amalie to the USA via the Old Bahama Channel.
I plan tentatively to lay the boat up ashore in North Carolina until 2021.

We already know several boats who is up to return from USVI to US Mainland in the end of April - beginning of May. It seems that it’s easier way to go to NC offshore if doing non-stop passage.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by Cadence

JMHO, Top your tanks off, I am assuming a water maker, buy anything you can in a can and stay put.

We have already started preparations Got tanks are full with diesel and gasoline plus additional 50 gal fuel in cans. Stocked fridge and compartments with provisions enough for couple months. And we have water maker on board. Thanks for advice!

[carlosproa]

Marinas in Miami are closed, but in theory you could anchor at Marine Stadium and fetch an Uber to go into Miami and buy Diesel for your boat. Is a pain in the arse but doable. Don’t buy it key Biscayne as it would be expensive. For groceries you can go to Winn Dixie in Key Biscayne or Publix in downtown or the grove

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

Bill Baggs State Park is closed. https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa...ida-state-park

We moved from Elliott Key to the Miami Marine Stadium 3/30/20. We are anchored there among perhaps 30 boats. We did not go into No Name Harbor so I know nothing about it right now, but there were five or six sail boats anchored outside in the Florida Channel.

Lots of thanks for information. To stay outside No Name Harbour is also works good. But it’s important to have possibility to go ashore. We still have a car in Florida. So it will be great to find a good anchorage with dinghy dock and park near by.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by carlosproa

Marinas in Miami are closed, but in theory you could anchor at Marine Stadium and fetch an Uber to go into Miami and buy Diesel for your boat. Is a pain in the arse but doable. Don’t buy it key Biscayne as it would be expensive. For groceries you can go to Winn Dixie in Key Biscayne or Publix in downtown or the grove

Uber still working in Miami?
Do they have long terM parking lot near Miami stadium? As we still have a car in Hallandale and we could pick it up.
For the moment we have enough fuel but of course how long will it last depends on how much motoring would be done.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Smart555

Do you think it’s easier way to return to US Mainland heading straight to Northern lands like NC, MD, Maine?
It’s going to be not only summer we will need to spend there if stay till the end of the hurricane season. We thought of taking some warm clothes for whole family from the storage, some other things, maybe some self defense stuff that would be good to have on board in this situation 🧟*♂️

It was just a thought. The dollars may be small compared to the aggravation.


There will be a few minor shortages, but the self defense thing is silly IMO. It won't be like that. I think people are a little weird, but not dangerous. If I were going to rob somebody, a big house will be better stocked with stuff than a boat, and the get away is easier than open water. I'd relax. Try to look poor. Hang laundry.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by thinwater

It was just a thought. The dollars may be small compared to the aggravation.


There will be a few minor shortages, but the self defense thing is silly IMO. It won't be like that. I think people are a little weird, but not dangerous. If I were going to rob somebody, a big house will be better stocked with stuff than a boat, and the get away is easier than open water. I'd relax. Try to look poor. Hang laundry.

About self defense it’s a difficult question.
People are different.
Speaking of Caribbean when people were killed just for dinghy motor.

When we lived in Florida, after only the next couple days after hurricane Irma when most businesses stayed close and people were out of there homes evacuated we themselves saw groups of people wandering around the area looking for what to steal.
We’re not paranoid. Hope you’re right. But we’d better be prepared for worse.
Though it’s a theme for another discussion

[wsmurdoch]

Back to real things before another thread goes off the deep end...

Here in the Miami Marine Stadium, the locals are beaching their dinghies at 25-44.650 080-10.275. I have not been ashore here. (We are being especially good at social distancing, We'd hate to be ill on an offshore passage.) I have seen others leave the dinghy area by bicycle and by Vespa scooter. Cars are parked nearby.

See post 6. We like Miami Beach as trash, food, water, and fuel are all within 0 to 100 yds of a dinghy dock. Now, it is illegal to tie up in Miami Beach except for 20 min at the Marine Patrol (Police Dock), but we have, like the locals, been taking our chances. Then, our mast is 46', yours 67', and you would have to pass under the Dodge Island and MacAuthur Causeway bridges.

Bill

Irish Eyes to the Bahamas
https://cms.winlink.org:444/maps/Pos...%20for%20AK4PO