Now is the time. You have about 3 weeks to get packed up and out of
there. After November the weather windows get shorter and shorter and
the forcasts less reliable. Head in the general direction of Bermuda
but don't be tempted to stop there unless you have plenty of money and
resolve to continue on immediately. Bermuda is seductive, expensive and
a storm magnet in the winter.

If departing after the first of December go south to Bufort before
heading out. Take the ICW behind the cape. If you can't fit in the
ditch head out ESE from Norfolk. Stay at least 200 miles off of
Hatteras. Get as much easting as you can above about 25N. We do it out
of Charleston on deliveries every couple of years but getting east is a
lot easier when you start out from Bufort or further north.

When you get to 65W hang a right and proceed direct to the Eastern
Caribbean.


Ayesha wrote:

A bit of advice, please, for a UK yachtsman.
If I have a boat in Newport RI and want to head south to the Caribbean
-I imagine this is well worn route - what is the best time of year to do
it? Is it better/ more interesting to use the inland route, or make a
sea passage? How long would you allow to cruise it, rather than race
it?
Anything that would help me plan this passage would be useful,

many thanks

--
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

A few years a go, we sailed from Fort Lauderdale Florida to the east end of
Puerto Rica (which is where the Virgin's start). We first sailed to Nassau
and then headed out from there. It was a long slog to windward and not too
pleasant even in a 50 footer. Total trip was about 9 days

Once that far south, many cruisers go leisurely via the Abacos and Exumas
and then have a shorter and somewhat more sheltered but still upwind stretch
to Puerto Rica and on to the Virgins. It is apparently best to bypass Haiti
and the Dominican Republic - there may be some smaller islands to stop at -
others may know.

Some friends are presently doing the trip - they planned to go via Norfolk
or Beaufort, then to Bermuda and then to BVI,s - 38 footer. Fine for
experienced sailors, but most cruisers from our area do not venture that far
out to sea!

As others have said - timing is such that you should now be on your way!

"Ayesha" wrote A bit of advice, please, for a UK yachtsman.
If I have a boat in Newport RI and want to head south to the Caribbean
-I imagine this is well worn route - what is the best time of year to do
it? Is it better/ more interesting to use the inland route, or make a
sea passage? How long would you allow to cruise it, rather than race
it?
Anything that would help me plan this passage would be useful,

many thanks

If you want to avoid all that slogging to windward, you should read
Bruce Van Sant's book "Passages South" and follow his recommendations.
Takes all the hard stuff out of it. Don't be in a hurry to get there
though. His method requires waiting for the right weather window for
those windward passages.
Kelton
s/v Isle Escape

Nameless wrote:
A few years a go, we sailed from Fort Lauderdale Florida to the east end of
Puerto Rica (which is where the Virgin's start). We first sailed to Nassau
and then headed out from there. It was a long slog to windward and not too
pleasant even in a 50 footer. Total trip was about 9 days

Once that far south, many cruisers go leisurely via the Abacos and Exumas
and then have a shorter and somewhat more sheltered but still upwind stretch
to Puerto Rica and on to the Virgins. It is apparently best to bypass Haiti
and the Dominican Republic - there may be some smaller islands to stop at -
others may know.

Some friends are presently doing the trip - they planned to go via Norfolk
or Beaufort, then to Bermuda and then to BVI,s - 38 footer. Fine for
experienced sailors, but most cruisers from our area do not venture that far
out to sea!

As others have said - timing is such that you should now be on your way!

"Ayesha" wrote A bit of advice, please, for a UK yachtsman.

If I have a boat in Newport RI and want to head south to the Caribbean
-I imagine this is well worn route - what is the best time of year to do
it? Is it better/ more interesting to use the inland route, or make a
sea passage? How long would you allow to cruise it, rather than race
it?
Anything that would help me plan this passage would be useful,

many thanks

Kelton Joyner wrote:

If you want to avoid all that slogging to windward, you should read
Bruce Van Sant's book "Passages South" and follow his recommendations.
Takes all the hard stuff out of it. Don't be in a hurry to get there
though. His method requires waiting for the right weather window for
those windward passages.
Kelton
s/v Isle Escape




thanks everbody for your help. I now get the general idea and can start
to make some plans. thanks again

The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

"Listen to the live broadcast of 'Nautical Talk Radio' with Captain Lou every
Sunday afternoon from 4 - 5 (Eastern Standard Time) on the web at
www.959watd.com or if you are in Boston or Cape Cod set your radio dial to
95.9FM.

On 04 Nov 2003 12:02:52 GMT, (Capt Lou) wrote:

The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

What?! You mean....(cough, choke).....get OUT OF SIGHT OF
LAND?!!....(c;

Cap'n Lou I'm gonna tell the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce on
you....(c;

Stop in CHARLESTON and BRING US MONEY!
We'll even carry the wife to the city market in the marina bus so she
can distribute it!
Thanks!



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

On 04 Nov 2003 12:02:52 GMT, (Capt Lou) wrote:

The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

What?! You mean....(cough, choke).....get OUT OF SIGHT OF
LAND?!!....(c;

Cap'n Lou I'm gonna tell the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce on
you....(c;

Stop in CHARLESTON and BRING US MONEY!
We'll even carry the wife to the city market in the marina bus so she
can distribute it!
Thanks!



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

The odd thing about Bermuda is that Halifax, Nova Scotia is as close as
anypoint on the US eastern seaboard.
If it was earlier in the season, I'd say...come up here, enjoy the scenery
and then head due south.
Very simple except that you will probably be close hauled the first part of
the trip and the Gulf Stream current might slow you a bit.

Capt Lou wrote in message
...
The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to
Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

"Listen to the live broadcast of 'Nautical Talk Radio' with Captain Lou
every
Sunday afternoon from 4 - 5 (Eastern Standard Time) on the web at
www.959watd.com or if you are in Boston or Cape Cod set your radio dial to
95.9FM.

The odd thing about Bermuda is that Halifax, Nova Scotia is as close as
anypoint on the US eastern seaboard.
If it was earlier in the season, I'd say...come up here, enjoy the scenery
and then head due south.
Very simple except that you will probably be close hauled the first part of
the trip and the Gulf Stream current might slow you a bit.

Capt Lou wrote in message
...
The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to
Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

"Listen to the live broadcast of 'Nautical Talk Radio' with Captain Lou
every
Sunday afternoon from 4 - 5 (Eastern Standard Time) on the web at
www.959watd.com or if you are in Boston or Cape Cod set your radio dial to
95.9FM.

The closest point on the U.S. east coast to Bermuda is Nantucket,
Massachusetts. You will be going twice the distance if you head to Beaufort,
South Carolina first!

"Listen to the live broadcast of 'Nautical Talk Radio' with Captain Lou every
Sunday afternoon from 4 - 5 (Eastern Standard Time) on the web at
www.959watd.com or if you are in Boston or Cape Cod set your radio dial to
95.9FM.