Starting cruising plans from Miami in April?

[Zencra]

Hi there, myself and my wife are hoping to fly out from Australia and purchase our boat in Miami early March and head off early April. Our plans were to buy end of December and be ready to sail by early Feb but have been delayed. Plans were to spend a few months in the Bahamas then sail north to Bermuda and across to the Azores but now those plans will be a little rushed, leaving no time really to get used to our boat, shake down sails and fix any issues. As it is to fit new sails, new rigging, solar arch, bottom paint, inspect rudder, thru hulls etc is going to take some time. anyway my question is if we delay our crossing till the following season, what are our sensible options for destinations, planning on being in Bahamas next November?

thanks in advance
Craig

[billknny]

Getting a "new to you" boat really ready to take off on a transAtlantic trip in less than 30 days is very likely to be more than a "little rushed." Postponing a season is a good idea. Take the time to do things right.

As for a cruising plan leaving Florida in November, it's hard to be specific because the sky is limit. You have all of the the Bahamas and most Caribbean open to you before the Atlantic crossing season opens.

Trying to put a plan, even a very tentative one, together for a stranger is an almost impossible task. Are you a social sailor interested in large groups? Don't miss Georgetown, Hopetown, and Marsh Harbor. If you prefer isolation and quiet, there are 2000 uninhabited islands in the Bahamas alone. We have our favorite places, but they are not likely to completely overlap with what you would like.

You can flip through pages on our blog, we have been doing one version or another of this trip (minus the Atlantic crossing) for a few years: http://fetchinketch.net

I would strongly recommend the book "Passages South" by Bruce Van Sant, especially if you have ANY interest in going further east/south than the Bahamas. It is a very valuable book, and if you read and follow his guidance your life will be much easier than if you just bash to windward without a plan. The author is a bit of a curmudgeon, and the book is not the best organized, and edited, but worth the slog for the information.

[Zencra]

Thanks for your quick reply Bill. Were ok for next season plans from November, I was really looking for suggestions for between April and then, are we best to clear out for hurricane season? I'm still not sure on visa conditions and how much time we will be given but I guess a quick flight out and back in to extend. Should we just head up the ICW to explore part of your huge country, anchoring along the way?

Craig

[Lowcountry]

If you want to avoid hurricanes in 2019, you need to either get down to Grenada, get up above Virginia, or haul your boat out of the water anywhere in between and get off of it. With a new to you boat, I would suggest spending Spring in the Abacos shaking the boat down and acclimating to the cruising lifestyle. Then sometime in early/mid June come out and head north in US waters. With this plan, you'll pretty easily be able to correct any issues that arise with shaking down your boat, and you'll be able to enjoy great line of sight sailing in beautiful Bahamas waters. Best wishes either way. Out of curiosity, what type of boat are you buying?