Puerto Rico

[Harbor_Pilot]

We will be sailing from Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo, (East of San Juan) Puerto Rico, in late August. We know we will be in the heart of the potential storms of the regional tropical storm season, will watch the forecasts, and will adjust accordingly.

Any tips, advice of, experinace with, or comments of the area?

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by Harbor_Pilot

We will be sailing from Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo, (East of San Juan) Puerto Rico, in late August. We know we will be in the heart of the potential storms of the regional tropical storm season, will watch the forecasts, and will adjust accordingly.

Any tips, advice of, experinace with, or comments of the area?

As the destination is not disclosed - it might be an idea to stay in the Marina!

[Harbor_Pilot]

MMNETSEA

The origin and destination is the same. The purpose is an ASA live aboard, blue water sailing course.

Hopefully and weather permitting, the only time we see the marina, is when we cast off, and tie up upon completion. Exception being anchorage, docking, mooring, vessel handling in close quarters, and the like, and potential celebration of a potential certificate, at whatever watering hole the marina offers.

There is a lot of potential beckoning to be released. We are excited at the opportunity, and preparing ourselves.

I'm looking for the insider information, currents, tides, channels, reefs, sunken obstacles, missing chart data, plus, "be careful of", "watch out for", "do not miss eating at", "do not stay at", "do not go to", "something unknown to an outsider is considered bad manners", local information on land, air, and most of all sea.

I am looking for constructive local information and feed back. Useful and helpful information.

Hi,

Just wanted to le you know there is a great hurricane hole on the south coast of Vieques. Can't recall the bay's name, but it's a couple bays to the east of the main little town on the sw corner of the island. It used to be within the navy property.

As you go into this bay there a small sub-bay to your right with a small beach on the south side of the entrance. I think it was 12-15 feet deep at this entrance. You can then go inside and tuck up to the mangroves in eight feet. The southern side of this small sub-bay is a finger island and its pretty dense....so it should help break any swell/surge unless you have a killer storm on your hands.

Beware the last-minute local yachts that come in here and do a half-assed set-up. I pulled in here for Hurricane Debbie (a non-event overall) and one guy tied his crappy sailboat off in the entrance to the small sub-bay just using two lines and little trees! Then he ran those lines over is rusty sharp toe-rails without chafe protection and finished it off on a termite ridden post. Anoter beat up yacht went side-to in the mangroves and casually threw two small danforths off the bow and stern and sped away.

I think more of the local power boats go to the first bay to the east of the town.

Google Earth gives you a good shot of this hole and you can just make out the small sub-bay.

There also a neat island with ex-experimental now mental monkies on it off the east coast of PR.

Palamino Island (again, vague on the name) is covered with rabbits and rabbit poo, but an interesting stop-over. They did have a few mooring there, but, again, beware the nutter jet-skiers who like to do 360s right off your side.

Best - J

[Gallivanters]

I'm certainly no expert, so...

Purchase a copy of A CRUISING GUIDE to PUERTO RICO INCLUDING THE SPANISH VIRGIN ISLANDS by Stephen J. Pavlidis published by Seaworthy Publications, Inc. Port Washington, Wisconson.

Try to dedicate a few days to stay in Old San Juan - a True Gem in the Caribbean and setting for countless pirate movies. The streets are paved in purple cobble stones, the forts are well preserved, the locals are gracious and theair is perfumed. Make a point of having a meal at the tapas bar located in the garden courtyard of the old convent.

And if you find yourselves anchored in Esperanza onthe south side of Vieques, be sure to stop by the Trade Winds for a meal. There you'll meet Sylvie, a personal friend, French Chef and dedicated nudist (when not working). Be sure to leave all your cloths in the dinghy if she invites you aboard.

Bon Voyage!

Kirk