Alternatives to Caribbean for overwintering.

[Tanqueray]

We have been busy trying to get both the boat and our business ready for the grand 'off' this autumn but it is now looking 50/50 at best due to minor but cumulative delays on both projects.

The intention was the usual UK - Canaries - Caribbean then probably east coast USA for the following Summer.

We really don't want to leave the boat anywhere for more than a couple of weeks (perhaps to fly back to sort out the business if required) and we would rather not just put it off for a year - we want to get away as soon as we reasonably can even if we cannot commit to the entire round atlantic trip just yet.

Any suggestions therefore for a winter cruising ground that we can, if necessary, return from by air, but also can 'reverse track' on the boat (unlike say Canaries to Carib) perhaps going into the med next summer and then picking up the original plan autumn 2012.

Thinking of the Canaries and then perhaps hopping back into the med (we can motor / sail to windward at 7 - 8 knots so could do an against the prevailing wind weeks hop given a suitable window.

Haven't sailed the Canaries since 1979 so it's probably changed a bit since then but is there enough to do there for 4 / 5 months these days?

Any other suggestions o knowledgeable ones?

Steve

 

[muyuu]

I'd say there is a fair bit to do in the Canaries but you can also drop to Dakhla if you feel adventurous and then maybe to the Cape Verdes. This allows for a shorter passage to the Caribbean if it became possible at that point.

You can also go the other way to the Azores as it's the common way back to the UK at a better angle from the Tradewinds. However I'd recommend hopping through Finisterre as I have a friend who did the Azores-Falmouth (I think) passage and had a really rough ride with nowhere to hide.

Canaries - Madeira - Gibraltar then Med is another good option.

Canaries - Madeira will often be upwind, but then the route to Gibraltar is relatively comfortable.

This is the wind situation there as I write this:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?centerx=-13.5&centery=32.8&zoom=7

(wind map activated in the menu to the left)

 

[Tanqueray]

Thanks for that Muyuu, I cannot believe how many times I have used that Marinetraffic site and never noticed the wind overlay Doh!

 

[KellysEye]

If you do want to do an Atlantic circuit...

Options outside the Caribbean include Venezuela, Bonaire, Curacao, Columbia, Panama, Rio Dulce Guatamala. You can sail in the first four during hurricane season but keep an eye open for nasties, there are good huricane holes on the west coast of Venezuela, Curacao and Columbia.

We spent two hurricane seanons in Curacao in Spanish Waters in Curacao, it's a hurricane hole even though it doesn't usually get hurricanes; you can anchor free with only the cost of a coastgurd permit; there are restaurants nearby and free buses to the supermarket. Diesel is available by dinghy or yacht at the yacht club.

The is much piracy in Venezuela and ther are many no-go areas as well as stay at least 50 miles off the coast of the Paria Peninsular. If you need more info on that give me a shout.

From there head up to the US east coast, do not go back to the island chain it's 500NM upwind and upcurrent - a total nightmare, trust me, been there done that.

 

[TQA]

How about the rias on the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal.

Lots of gunkholing and stuff to do ashore.

I always regretted having to rush through this area but had to get to the Canaries.

 

[Channel Sailor]

Does anyone know why Cuba is never mentioned as a spot to stay over? Are there customs/visa problems.

 

[RichardS]

Does anyone know why Cuba is never mentioned as a spot to stay over? Are there customs/visa problems.

I believe that entry is getting easier under Raul Castro but you still run a risk if you leave the boat unattended during hurricane season.

Richard

 

[Conachair]

Canaries can keep you busy for a while, did for me anyway. Possibly the best climate there is. Great walking and cheap flights back to UK Then if you are done with UK and it's too late for Carib, Brazil is easy. And a bargain. . Hang out there til end of hurrican season then easy ride up to Carib.

 

[phantomlady]

Agree with Conachair.
We just spent last winter in the Canaries. Not a brilliant cruising ground in our opinion but plenty to do and cheap and plentiful flights back to UK. Oh, and a great climate
Had a pretty rough ride home though! (Canaries - Porto Santo - North Spain - Penzance)

 

[Tanqueray]

Thanks all - it pretty much confirms what we were thinking i.e that, whilst it is perhaps not an ideal cruising ground for that length of time, at least it's an option if we are not ready in time - we'll see how it goes!

 

[alant]

We have been busy trying to get both the boat and our business ready for the grand 'off' this autumn but it is now looking 50/50 at best due to minor but cumulative delays on both projects.

The intention was the usual UK - Canaries - Caribbean then probably east coast USA for the following Summer.

We really don't want to leave the boat anywhere for more than a couple of weeks (perhaps to fly back to sort out the business if required) and we would rather not just put it off for a year - we want to get away as soon as we reasonably can even if we cannot commit to the entire round atlantic trip just yet.

Any suggestions therefore for a winter cruising ground that we can, if necessary, return from by air, but also can 'reverse track' on the boat (unlike say Canaries to Carib) perhaps going into the med next summer and then picking up the original plan autumn 2012.

Thinking of the Canaries and then perhaps hopping back into the med (we can motor / sail to windward at 7 - 8 knots so could do an against the prevailing wind weeks hop given a suitable window.

Haven't sailed the Canaries since 1979 so it's probably changed a bit since then but is there enough to do there for 4 / 5 months these days?

Any other suggestions o knowledgeable ones?

Steve

Cape Verdes?

 

[Tanqueray]

Cape Verdes?

Yep, a strong possibility but we don't want to make it too difficult a slog to get back into the Med or wherever for the summer - we'll just have to give it a go I suppose.

 

[muyuu]

Essaouira is decent too and close to Marrakesh by car. Never sailed to Morocco though. I've also heard good things about Agadir.

 

[Tanqueray]

Essaouira is decent too and close to Marrakesh by car. Never sailed to Morocco though. I've also heard good things about Agadir.

Agreed, we've done a fair amount of overloading in Morocco and we love the place - I'm doing some research on it at the moment. Agadir has changed a lot in the last 20 years, all traffic jams, speed traps and McDonalds now!

 

[capnsensible]

Had 2 great years in the Canaries. Also Agadir (think leaving boat safely plus flights to UK) less than 2 days away. Gib 6 or 7 days unless you pit stop. Essoria as mentioned, Safi my favourite, Rabat now has a modern marina, Mohammedia if deperate!

Last did it in Febuary, lovely sail.

 

[KellysEye]

>Does anyone know why Cuba is never mentioned as a spot to stay over? Are there customs/visa problems.

We haven't been there but know a number of cruising boats who have. In some ways customs/immigration is the opposite of a problem. Clearing in is straightforward in an international marina but slow. What you will find is that often you will be followed by a customs boat and made to anchor directly in front of a customs post if you intend to go ashore. The reason is they don't want the boat stolen by folks wanting to flee Cuba. They have been known to give yachts Lobsters free. The bottomline is that custom's interest makes it a very safe place leave the boat but don't be/stay there in Hurricane season.

 

[TQA]

Little problem to visit Cuba but the officialdom require you to give an itinerary and to stick to it.

As you move along your itinerary you have to clear out of each port and clear in in to the next.

The vital 'despacho' will be issued and on arrival carefully compared with your chosen itinerary. This drove me nuts as I like to wander around getting local advice and stopping where I fancy. Anchoring in quiet places off the beaten track is my goal. If you do this be pepared for a whole army of officaildom to arrive being rowed out by a sweating fisherman and all to clump aboard and insist on a full inspection and endless paperwork to correct the irregularities resulting from you not being where you said you would be.

I did find the officials to be polite and correct in their behaviour with no evident corruption other than expecting a soda.

It was the only place that I visited in 7 years of cruising where the boat was searched, and searched more than once with every drawer,locker and bin being opened and inspected. Not a problem, but it can take 2 hours to clear in and endless forms. I quickly learned to have a wallet folder with plastic sleeves to hold the paperwork. Sometimes only the 'despacho' was processed but sometimes they amended and or altered EVERYTHING!

This was in the 90s but recent visitors say there is little change YET!