Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Regional Cruising > The Med, Atlantic & Caribbean > Regional Discussions
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-11-2011, 02:10 AM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Default

Hi All,

So as fate may have it, myself and 2 friends will have 2 months off of work starting at the beginning of May (around the 5th). We decided that we would like go on a sailing trip on my friend's 39' Ericson that he's been living on in the Keys. I wanted to see if anyone had any advice or recommendations on trips that would be suitable & safe (relatively) for this time period.

I've read quite a bit about the thorny path, which seems extremely appealing based on the destinations. However, I've read that it can be quite a rough trip due to the prevailing trade winds that we'd be going against.

On the flip side, I haven't been able to find too much information on trips from the Keys down to Isla Mujeres and the Central American coast during this time period. Does anyone have any experience making this trip during May and June?

Ultimately, my friends and I are looking for any recommendations on quality routes, and their respective anchoring locations, that can be taken during this time period. I myself don't have too much sailing experience but my two friends do, though not much open water experience.

Any advice/comments on these two routes and/or alternatives is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

PMac
__________________

__________________
PMac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2011, 03:48 AM   #2
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

Has your friend explored around the area he's been living in the Keys? Where exactly is he there? There are numerous very local destinations right there in the Keys. Although, I suppose you might find that a little boring to stay local.
__________________

__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2011, 11:12 AM   #3
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

With only two months, unless you want to sail most of the time, and explore not very much, I would say head for the Bahamas. Central America is going to take you a couple weeks to get there, and could take a lot longer to return. Unless you make each way a non-stop passage, and you would want good offshore experience to do those slogs. The Bahamas can be reached on an overnight crossing, and then you can just island hop for as long as you like, with an easy return. Beautiful water in the Bahamas, too.

The Thorny (or Van Sant's Thornless) Path is a long slog. We left Georgetown in the Bahamas and it took us a week to get to Puerta Plata in the Dominican Republic (though it was in December when the trades are very strong). Working hard you could get to the Virgin Islands easily in two weeks, and the return trip would likely take only 7 to 10 days. But you've got a lot of watchkeeping (the Mona Passage is a very busy place for commercial ships, and the US Coast Guard will visit your boat most likely).

The Dominican Republic itself can be an interesting destination, but for clear water and good diving, I'd vote for the Bahamas.

Fair winds,

Jeanne
__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Advice And Suggestions Needed. djfunny Cruising Crew Wanted 2 12-12-2010 05:13 AM
Gps Anchor - Advice Needed vmps Power & Electronics 13 12-27-2008 06:14 PM
Ny To Spanish Virgins And Back In 4 Months ? Tom Farley General Cruising Forum 5 12-24-2008 10:22 AM
Advice Needed On Shipping Gear To Greece Or Turkey twotreeisland General Cruising Forum 3 03-18-2008 02:05 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×