Roatan Routes

[felixsail]

anyone have experience sailing from daytona beach to the island of Roatan? I have been asked to help deliver a 40' sloop by the quickest route, no sightseeing. The owner seemes to think it can be done in 7 days, but he is no sailor and I think that is too conservative, but I have never sailed to central america. Any input would be appreciated.

[Tom Farley]

Try Calling or emailing Ted at BAY ISLANDS BEACH RESORT in Roatan.....He own the resort and does deliveries of dive boats from Florida...he might be some help.,....Tell him Tom from Massachusetts suggested him...And BIBR is a great dive resort with great people

TOM

[MMNETSEA]

If Cuba wasn't in the way - only just feasible.

What SOG can this 40ft Sloop average ?

What will the prevailing winds produce in the way of knots?

Current ?

Storm Season ?

[sailronin]

HI,

Seven days probably won't make it unless that thing motors at 14 knots. You are going to be motoring against the Gulf Stream and current the whole way, probably against the wind vast majority of the way. Miserable trip at best, better get paid well.

Make sure your fuel tank is clean and carry lots of extra fuel filters, on a tight schedule there won't be much or any sailing that direction.

I would do the trip in legs, Daytona to Key West, Key West to Isla Mujeres, Isla Mujeres to Roatan.

Good luck

Dave

[osirissailing]

A better route is from Daytona to the Bahamas to Jumentos and then through the Windward Passage to Jamaica -> Caymans -> Swann Island -> Bay Islands (Roatan). This is all down current and favorable winds. Each leg can be done in, at most an overnighter. And it avoids the hassles of Mexico clearances and Belize and the north coast of Cuba. But seasons are critically important as certain months are just downright nasty in the western Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico.

[felixsail]

Thanks very much for all your excellent, well-reasoned responses! Just the kind of info I was looking for. You all give me much more to research and good tips! Very appreciated! Sinc, Felix