First of all delay departure until November when the risk of hurricanes
drops. Then you have two choices. Motor sail out to between 68 and 65 West
and turn south. That takes about 10 to 12 days out of Charleston. Probably
the same out of Miami as the wind is not as favorable that far south. That
route is very dangerous before late November because the majority of
tropical storms and hurricanes veer north through that area.

The other is the Thorny Path through the islands. Van Sant's book is the
bible for that route. That breaks it up into a lot of day sails and a few
over nights but you have to play the weather to get easting so it can take a
month or more. Possibly a little faster that time of year as the fronts
start coming off the continent more often. You can bash into it and make it
in two weeks but you will likely be ready to sell the boat as soon as you
get there. If you can't take that much time all at once you can leave the
boat in George Town for a while. There is a pretty active group of cruisers
who have lost their taste for open water sailing there that watch each
others boats.

Again though, August through early November is a very bad time. There are
no good hurricane holes until you get to the north coast of the Dominican
Republic.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"BeeRich" wrote in message
...
Hiya folks.

Anybody done this trip? Any recommendations, cautions, stories? I'm
wanting to take a sailboat with a crewmate from Florida to BVI via
Abacos, along the islands.

Any input appreciated.

Cheers