TWL: Caribbean Boating?
Here in SE Alaska we're completely spoiled by empty anchorages, awesome
scenery, protected water and great fishing. Alas, the magic runs out by
the end of September and a place with white sand and palm trees is what
the doctor orders.
My wife and I are starting to do some serious retirement planning and,
on paper, spending the winters on a boat in the Caribbean sounds like a
swell plan. The problem is that we know next to nothing about the area.
I'm hoping some of you can help.
So some questions:
Winter crowds - is it possible to find some isolation or is the place
over run? We generally anchor out where possible.
Cost - how do fuel/food/etc costs compare to where you're from?
Variety - is there enough of it if you cruise around? Or is every
island pretty much like the next? How many winters would this be good
for?
Cruise guides - any guides you recommend?
Charters - if I were to charter boats to gain some local knowledge,
which location would you recommend I check out first?
Logistics - if you were to keep a boat in that area for winter cruising,
returning to Alaska in summers, how would you do it? Where would you
store the boat during the summers? Florida?
What kind of boat would be suitable to allow me to cruise to anywhere in
the Caribbean (asssuming some prudence with weather) in reasonable
comfort to keep the Admiral satisfied. Not interested in any stunts
like running a 30' Willard to Bermuda. Part of me thinks that a
sailboat makes sense for this usage - thoughts?
Appreciate any wisdom you can share.
Bob Deering
Juneau Alaska
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Deering" Deering@ak.net
My wife and I are starting to do some serious retirement planning and,
on paper, spending the winters on a boat in the Caribbean sounds like a
swell plan. The problem is that we know next to nothing about the area.
Hi Bob,
Go to this website:
In the middle of the page you'll see two boxes. The box on the right
contains a drop down menu showing the various lists that I.R.B.S. archives -
Select Trawler World List
The box on the left is for your search term(s). Type in the word Nostrum and hit enter:
That will yield about 200 hits, many of which are Bob Foss's posts about his family's
cruise aboard their 37' Newburyport named "Nostrum Again". Many of the posts are concerned
with the ICW, Florida, and other areas that may not interest you so you'll want to refine
your search. Once you get into his posts about the Bahamas I think you'll find that he
covers many of your concerns. He also gets into the history and culture of the places they
visited (They were home schooling during the cruise). All in all, I found his posts to be
some of the most enjoyable reading to be found on the list.
Nostalgically yours,
Alex
Bob, lots of questions!
I have some insight into some of them but not all. I've lived and sailed in
the Caribbean for 20+ years, Nancy for 15+. We still have lots to see and
places to visit.
When the water is cold as it is now 78 degrees....brrrrr! We wear wet suits
while snorkeling/diving.
<Winter crowds> - During major holiday weeks the charter industry has lots
of bareboater out up and down the Caribbean. That leaves about 20 weeks of
good anchoring. Even when over Xmas/New Year I can find a "lonely anchorage"
:-)
<Cost> - Fuel can be $3/gal or $.85 or $.20 depending upon where you are and
how much you need. Venezuela and Columbia are the cheapest but you might
have other issues in those countries right now. The Hess refinery in St
Croix is $.85 for 1000+ gal.
Food can be cheaper in the Dominican Republic, similar in Puerto Rico and
more expensive east and south till Trinidad. Dockage varies from cheap to
ridiculous. $4/ft/nite to $.25/ft/nite/ Water can be free or $.15-.20/gal.
<Variety> - we've had 20+ winter and summers and still are looking forward
to going around another time or two in Swan Song. Three basic languages and
15 different local tongues. Volcanic islands, rift islands and coral
islands. Active volcanoes and some of the prettiest quiet coral reefs and
beaches you'll find.
<Cruise guides> - Street's, Van Zandt and Doyle's
<Charters> - the BVI offer the best selection of power yachts to get a feel
for it.
<Logistics> - Find a good yard and store it here for hurricane season. Going
to Florida is easy, coming back in the fall is always a bit of a drag into
the tradewinds and seas.
<What kind of boat would be suitable to allow me to cruise to anywhere.> The
sea and wind in the winter can be such that you need to pick your weather
window. It seldom blow to hard, 20+ for more than 2 or 3 days tho. Any
decent trawler with a proud bow will keep the seas at bay. Engines that will
serve well here are Perkins, Cats, Detroit's and Yanmars...they can be
serviced anywhere. No Volvos! Inside steering AND Flybridge are a good
choice
<Part of me thinks that a sailboat makes sense for this usage.> That must be
the Swashbuckler/Pirate/Vagabond part. Bob, lets be practical here;-) It's
hot for you..85-90 day & never less than 70 at night. Bugs in some nice
quiet anchorages mean bites or closed hatches. Air-conditioning is the
savior :-) Wrestling with those sails takes it out of you. Stick with the
comfort of a good heavy displacement power cruiser and you'll be
happier...IMO. We had a 37' sailboat that we lived and cruised for years.
Swan Song has made our life so much better as Nancy can have all her "stuff"
aboard. If she's happy then I'm a lot happier :-)
The Caribbean is a fairly large place, 1200 miles from Windward to Costa
Rica and 500 miles north to south.
Deep, 22,000 ft, and shallow water, no tides in the eastern Caribbean to
10-12 ft in the western. Lots of different cultures and people to learn from
and visit. Easy access to good medical facilities, Puerto Rico, and easy
access to the US via airlines for those grandchildren visits.
We love it...oh was this apparent...but your mileage might vary!!
Dave and Nancy
Swan Song
58' Roughwater
Tortola, BVI
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Dear Bob,
I can only speak for the Bahamas, as it is so nice there in the
winter, that we've never gotten farther south and east.
<<Winter crowds - is it possible to find some isolation or is the
place over run? We generally anchor out where possible.>>
Crowded in some places (Georgetown, Exumas, Marsh Harbor, Abaco),
but plenty of uncrowded places if you don't mind getting off the
beaten path. Long Island , the Jumentos, and Eleuthera come to
mind.
<<Cost- how do fuel/food/etc costs compare to where you're
from?>>
Fuel was about $2.25 when diesel in FL was available for $1.10.
Most foods are nearly double FL prices. Liquor is cheaper than
FL.
<<Variety - is there enough of it if you cruise around? Or is
every island pretty much like the next? How many winters would
this be good for?>>
Lots of variety, from the casinos and nightlife of Nassau to the
small village ambiance of Rock Sound, Eleuthera. And there are
cruisers (mostly sailboats) from all over the world to spice
things up. I've been there for parts of 5 winters, and can still
find plenty to do that's new to me.
Snorkeling/swimming/diving/fishing is excellent, with crystal
clear water almost everywhere.
<<Logistics - if you were to keep a boat in that area for winter
cruising, returning to Alaska in summers, how would you do it?
Where would you store the boat during the summers? Florida?>>
You can store a boat out of the water in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco,
or in Marsh Harbor, Abaco, or Georgetown, Exumas. It's cheaper
to store in FL, especially Indiantown Marina or Bell Glade
Storage. And storing in FL makes it easy to provision cheaply
before going over.
There's a good overview book on cruising the Bahamas by Skipper
Bob, "Bahamas Bound", $14, but it's not a guidebook. He
self-publishes, and has a website at Skipperbob.home.att.net, or
do a google search on "skipper bob" Disclosure...I stock some
Skipper Bob books for sale on Winnie the Pooh.
Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh
Stuart, FL
Verizon Cell 772-631-7408 unlimited free minutes after 9PM and on
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