Generally small boats bound for the Panama Canal go from Key West to the passage on the West Side of Cuba between the Yucatan and Pt. San Antonio. This is a shorter distance to Panama than going around the East end of Cuba. There are a number of issues on the logistics of these passages. Items to consider are the "northers" which are prevelent in the Gulf of Mexico, and make Cuba a dangerous lee shore. These can extend down as far as Honduras. There is excellent cruising along the Coast of Mexico, Belize, Honduras and the Rio Dulce--before heading out to San Andres and Provencia. You will be going into the Gulf Stream along the North Side of Cuba and thru the Passage. If you go out to the Caymans you will be going into the trades; something you may not want to do in a 60 foot boat. The other way, is longer, you can work your way down the Bahamas, to Great Iguana or Turks and Caicos, and then thru the Windward Passage, and around the South of Cuba--the Windward passage may be rough, as can the passage to the Bahamas that time of the year. Unless there is some extremely compelling reason to go to the Caymans, I would skip that (fly down--it's a lot cheaper and easier)--and go the West of Cuba, and enjoy some of the best cruising in the Caribbean. I noted your trials with a portable radio and I pad for weather--do yourself a favor, and get a weather fax, or satellite system which will receive weather FAX. The antenna system on the portable, plus the receiver section are not adequate. A Furuno FAX will automatically search for the best signal and get those FAX sent automatically as your program in the time. Bob Austin