If your mean to the Windwards or Leewards and not the Bahamas, then what
you do is head for Bermuda. From there you go south. Depending on your
vessel this is about a week or less to Bermuda and about 2 or more weeks
to, for example, the Virgins or St. Martin

You could also go to the Chesapeake first, but it doesn't save you much time
at all.

You can go down the water way to Florida, but then it is all up wind to the
Caribbean, but the Bahamas are very close. Parts of the water way are very
interesting. Other parts are very boring

I am in Newport. If/when you are here, go down to the Armchair Sailor
Bookstore on lower Thames. They will have everything you need.

People usually leave in the middle of October or thereabouts. This is after
the hurricane season and before it gets too cold.

Good Luck captain.

Bill

"Ayesha" wrote in message
k...
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