Hi Bob,
It happened that we've done exactly the route you are planning: Rum
Cay - BVI, in 2006 spring with our Diesel Duck.  We laid a course from Rum Cay
to slightly north of Acklins Island to clear the north-east point, past the
northern coast of Plana Cay, then past the northern  coast of Mayaguana Island
to the Caicos Island.  We did not cross the Caicos bank, like many other boats
do, instead we kept on going north of the island toward the Turks Island
Passage, which we ran down to South Caicos for a stop in Cockburn harbor
(excuse the word, but they used to have a lot of good looking girls there).
In Cockburn harbor is a good anchorage.  The town is typical poor, fishing and
harvesting conch is the main industry.  A plant for processing conch is there
and ships most of the processed conch to France.

Samana on the eastern part of the DR (Dominican Republic) for another stop to
break up the voyage.  On the south side of Samana Bay is a wonderful National
Park with a beautiful safe anchorage.  In the DR you will get your first taste
of south American officialdom, with crooked officials asking for handouts.
Quite amusing sometimes!  We crossed the Mona Passage from there, following
Bruce Van Sant's advice and went to Ponce, PR (Puerto Rico) in one shot.
Leaving Ponce with a stop in Salinas, PR, it was an easy trip to St. Thomas,
USVI.  From there it is only a breeze to the BVI.  The whole trip sounds like
a piece of cake, doesn't it?  Well, it is.  It's only the weather which could
turn it into a hell trip.  Having a good weather forecast for every part of
this leg is essential.  We were looking for light to no wind and calm seas and
waiting for this always paid out.  I am not telling you anything new.  I
know, you know all this and you may have heard of Chris Parker, the weather
guy on 8137.0 KHz at 07:00 EST and on 4045.0 KHz at 09:00 EST.  This is on the
USB off the SSB radio.  He is the most listened to weatherman throughout the
Bahamas and Caribbean.  We would let him know our plan and he would say: "Go
now, or stay put."  Even the feared Mona Passage turned into a cake run.  I
hope this will help you a little.
Regards, Benno Klopfer
P.S. Don't miss
Culebra, Spanish Virgins, belonging to the US.  It is truly a jewel.

If I may be so bold, I would like to ask how old all of you are who do these
trips?. i.e., do my wife and I "still have time!"

Thank you.
-Mike
"One September"
Virginia Beach, VA>

BVI, in 2006 spring with our Diesel Duck. We laid a course from Rum Cay> to
slightly north of Acklins Island to clear the north-east point, past the>
northern coast of Plana Cay, then past the northern coast of Mayaguana Island>
to the Caicos Island. We did not cross the Caicos bank, like many other boats>
do, instead we kept on going north of the island toward the Turks
Island........

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