How would you get to Southern Caribbean

[SPL and L]

Hi-

I am new to this forum. My husband and I are a few years out from any type of sea worthy adventure. When we decide to make our move, would you leave from San Diego and go through the Panama Canal to the ABC islands or leave from Florida? We would have 3 months leaving mid December - end of March.

Pros and Cons would be welcomed.

Thank you so much!

[Paul L]

Three months is pretty short.
The run from Panama to the ABCs is a brutally tough slog straight into the traders.

Check the Salty Dawg Rally from Norfolk to the eastern Carib.

[SPL and L]

Great thank you Paul

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, SPL and L.

[DefinitelyMe]

Yes, Panama to Caribbean is tough. A lot of boats end up closely following the coastline of S America, motoring in light patches. Florida to ABC's is much easier. Wait until there's a bit of North in the trades and then make a straight shot.

[Stewie12]

Leave from Florida and buy the Thornless Path to Windward. Also buy the sailors guide to the windward Islands. For me the Caribbean Don Streets guides and charts are the most informative.

[belizesailor]

Where is your final destination? Just the ABC's?

What kind of boat?

Experience level?

Scratch Panama to ABCs off your list. As a learning excercise, learn how to read Pilot Charts...they will show you why this is a brutal route in your time window....though not so brutal as trying to continue into the E Carib on that route.

You could as suggested wait for weather windows and motor sail there from Panama/Colombia if you had more time, but the time window you give puts you right in peak trade winds season...not a good time. The sea between Colombia and Panama is especially brutal during this time. So I suggest scratching that route.

By contrast, you could claw your way upwind a bit from Florida into the NE Carib and then have a long easy Trade Winds sleigh ride all the way to the ABC's?

[garychurch]

Trades (wind and waves) from the east. Panama to ABCs east. Tough slog. Also as mention see pilot charts of the Caribbean.

[Tingum]

I think your first issue is to buy a boat

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Tingum

I think your first issue is to buy a boat

and the second would be STD analysis. Isn't it ~3,000 nm further from SC than FL?

[Cheechako]

I'd leave from Florida 100%. Done both. Especially if this is your first experience with long term cruising.
At any rate 3 months is not nearly enough time... not even close. Another reason to go from Florida. From Florida your first destination is 50 miles away; the Bahamas. Spend 3 months there and you'll be very happy.

[Caravela1986]

Buy the boat of your choice in Curacao, Grenada, or Trinidad.

Then sail to ABC's easily..........no major effort. Prices are reasonable all three islands. Do your search there for whatever you want. Outfitting can be done any of those islands. Check out recommendations from other cruisers for a SAMS Surveyor. Call SAMS first to make sure your elected Surveyor is truly certified.

Some Surveyors claim SAMS certification but few are truly certified. It makes a difference in purchasing a yacht with or without major issues. You will find out when it is too late. BUYER BEWARE.

[Siberian Sea]

I’m in the eastern Caribbean now (Martinique) and the prevailing winds are from the East. It would be better to sail from Florida then Panama because your going to fight the winds and currents the whole way. If you were farther north like Virginia for example you would sail due east until you reach the 65 degrees mark (about Bermuda) then turn south because when you reach the 35 degree lat line your going to have the easterly trade winds and you’re already going to have made your easterly progress already. In other words, your coming from the West puts you going the wrong direction.

[Stewie12]

Florida. Read The Thornless Path on how to get to the Caribbean

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Siberian Sea

I’m in the eastern Caribbean now (Martinique) and the prevailing winds are from the East. It would be better to sail from Florida then Panama because your going to fight the winds and currents the whole way. If you were farther north like Virginia for example you would sail due east until you reach the 65 degrees mark (about Bermuda) then turn south because when you reach the 35 degree lat line your going to have the easterly trade winds and you’re already going to have made your easterly progress already. In other words, your coming from the West puts you going the wrong direction.

Maybe a West bound circumnav instead. [emoji6]