New Windward Cruiser

[Otia]

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum, and relatively new to the Windwards. I've been sailing since I'm 14 on fresh water and I've been bareboat chartering in the Caribbean's for a couple years until I finally got my own sailboat last March. I keep my S/V in Grenada and sail the Windwards. Just got back, my first mate and I sailed to Martinique where we celebrated NYE and then we sailed back slowly, hoping from one island to the next.
We will probably keep the boat in Grenada for another year or 2 before moving to either Martinique or St. Martin. Grenada is very nice, but getting there is difficult and expensive, the main reason for moving to sxm is the ease of access.
So our idea is to sail the Windwards and Leewards for the next 3 years, on and off, some 4 months per year, before sailing to the South Pacific. We shall see how life goes.
If you're in the Windwards, I invite you to drop me an email!

[Hud3]

Hi, Otia, and welcome to CF. Sounds like you have a great plan! Where's your non-Caribbean base?

[Otia]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Hi, Otia, and welcome to CF. Sounds like you have a great plan! Where's your non-Caribbean base?

Hi Hud,
I'm from Montreal, Canada. I used to sail on Lake Champlain until 2006. Now I sail almost exclusively in the Caribbean's except maybe when I go for training up north on the Golf of St. Lawrence, near Tadoussac or the Gaspé peninsula.

[troppo]

Hi Otia. Your sailing sounds a lot of fun. I just checked where the Windwards are (gotta luv Google). Looks interesting. I'm on the other side of the world so I don't reckon I will be seeing it any time soon.

[Otia]

Originally Posted by troppo

Hi Otia. Your sailing sounds a lot of fun. I just checked where the Windwards are (gotta luv Google). Looks interesting. I'm on the other side of the world so I don't reckon I will be seeing it any time soon.

Hi Troppo, it's nice and easy sailing in the Windwards, mostly easterly winds, but more ENE to NE in the winter. 20-30 kts max in winter and 12-20 kts in summer. I call winter Dec-April, summer May-Aug, and Aug-Nov is the hurricane season, though hurricanes are not such an issue in the south you do have to worry about tropical depressions and storms. You do get higher winds in storms, of course.
Australia hey?! I'm planning to head towards the south pacific in 3 years - seems far away but I need this time to get ready (the boat, the first - and only - mate, and myself). You've been in this area?

[Surrymark]

I'm very fond of Grenada; years ago did an article on boatbuilding in Carriacou. The islands saw their social heyday during the revolution, but the water is still there. Private email me if you'd like a few local names.

[Khagan1227]

Welcome to the Forum Otia!

[troppo]

Originally Posted by Otia

. . . .
Australia hey?! I'm planning to head towards the south pacific in 3 years - seems far away but I need this time to get ready (the boat, the first - and only - mate, and myself). You've been in this area?

Otia, I live in Rockhampton Queensland, Australia. The barrier reef is off the coast, but a fair way out. Climate is sub-tropical, wet summer and cool dry winter. The winter with its beautiful blue skys draws the southern folk up in swarms though they tend to keep heading north to places like Cairns where the reef is in much closer and tropical rainforest abounds.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Its good to have you here.
kind regards,