On 20 Jul 2006 04:03:57 -0700, "BeeRich" wrote:

Hi folks.

Just out of curiosity, how long would it take me to go from Toronto to
the Caribbean?

Toronto - Oswego, NY

2 or 3 days

Oswego, NY - NY Canal System to NYC

6 days

NYC - Florida Keys

about 3 to 4 weeks unless you go offshore around the clock.

Florida Keys - Some lazy bay in the Caribbean somewhere

Not enough information. Figure 100 miles per day sailing around the
clock, 40 to 50 miles per day otherwise.

I'm just looking for ballpark estimates for a 40' sailboat. Dedicated
movement (no 3 week stays in Chesapeake, etc.) every day, and mooring
probably every night.

Anybody done this? I'm looking at becoming a Snowbird (duck or goose,
that doesn't leave water) and going South for the winters, then coming
back up in the spring.

You'll have plenty of company along the way. I've done most of that
trip at various times, and lots of other people do. Here are some
books you will need:

Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook: Norfolk, Virginia, to Miami, Florida
by John J. Kettlewell and Leslie Kettlewell

Waterway Guides: Northern, Central and Southern (3 books)

Anchorages Along the Intracoastal Waterway, Tenth Edition by Skipper
Bob

Marinas Along the Intracoastal Waterway, Ninth Edition by Skipper Bob

The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South by Bruce Van Sant

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide :
From South Florida to the Turks and Caicos by Stephen J. Pavlidis

The Exuma Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Exuma Cays : Approaches,
Routes, Anchorages, Dive Sights, Flora, Fauna, History, and Lore of
the Exuma Cays by Stephen J. Pavlidis

World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell

All of the above are available on amazon.com and highly recommended.


Are there ramifications on a fiberglass hull moving from fresh - salt
- fresh - salt, etc.?

Not really. Use a high quality bottom paint for the tropics with lots
of copper and a biocide.