Advice sought for Atlantic / Caribbean cruise

[Deleted member 478]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

You should have no problems what-so-ever at that time of year. In my humble opinion, you should stay well north of the ITCZ, at least 200 - 300 NM and only head direct for Guyana once you are well west. If you don't, you will have an extended stay in the doldrums, which can be exiting because of the squalls that appear out of no where and from any direction.

There is another option: Head for Brazil, it's magic. Perhaps Salvador, then back north with stops all along the way.

By the way, on the NE coast of South America, you want to sail to the north of the continental shelf, say about 20 - 50 NM north - you will then be able to take advantage of the Guyana current and will avoid the wooden and unlit fishing boats that litter the waters on the shelf.

 

[Roberto]

We would like to cruise up the Essequibo River for a few months

Hello, would you mind sharing the sources of information you have for that area ? I'll pass through next year and have not found a lot -actually nothing in practical terms- in terms of pilotage, etc (apart from Sailing DIrections)...

thanks


and if you need anything about Brazil... :smile:

 

[graemefromdownunder]

Essequibo River, Guyana

I first found out about the river from my wife and I subsequently saw a book at one of the Boat Fairs. The BEST sources I have found are:

http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2008-10-28-3
http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2007-11-19-1

I found Bernie Katchor's book extremely encouraging and if you go onto his website he provides loads of navigation information.

Let me know if you find out any further information.

 

[Roberto]

Let me know if you find out any further information.

thanks a lot for the references

I put your address in my favourites, I'll let you know if I find anything :smile:

 

[michael_w]

Get an American visa before you go. They are time consuming to get once you've left home.

The cruising up the eastern seaboard of North America is excellent. This year, we've made it to Newfoundland. The people and the scenery are brilliant, if not the highly changeable weather!

 

[blenkinsop]

We agree, get the US visa before you go and go to Maine if you cant make further north. Great place and lovely people - much better than hanging about Trinidad and waiting out the season. If you get chance go to 79th St Boat basin in NYC. Fantastic - middle of Manhattan for US$180 a week, including showers and use of a washing machine - what more can you ask!

 

[nmccubbin]

Buy "The Missing Centimetre" by Leon Shulz

It is a great read and covers the crcuit (except the US coast)

It is on amazon

You can be EITHER in the South (Trinidad, Panama etc) or up in the US N of Cap Hatteras for Hurricane season.

We have been up and down the US coast a couple of times, and found Maine MUCH better then the Chesapeake Bay. I will never enter it again, unless weather forces it.