Cheap island for storage and fly out?

[nickrj]

In my never ending debacle on dates, winds, hurricanes, visa's, money and all the other lovely issues regarding sailing, I have yet another route question for the hive-mind that is YBW.com...

The embassy in Bermuda is having a problem with me turning up without an onward going US Visa, and are not really keen on allowing me apply on the island.

So, thinking about this - Can anyone recommend an island in the Caribbean which has cheap flights out to north America (ie. Easyjet for America), as well as reasonably priced haul out and storage facilities?

Thanks for the advice as always,

Nick

 

[capnsensible]

Try St Maarten, the dutch side. Loadsa daily flights to US. There are a few yards dotted around Simpsons Bay, the lagoon, and may be cheaper too on French side for storage. That would be where I'd go.

 

[nickrj]

Yes, St Maarten is an option, but there was a post on a similar topic I started awhile back which read:

"We have just come back from St maarten. It is not the free and easy p1ace it used to be. Customs and Immigration boarded us at night, at anchor in 1agoon to check papers and safety equipment $300 fine if they find anything wrong. It is very hard to get jobs here now and it costs to anchor in the Dutch side $41 for us per week, p1us $30 for transiting the bridge. They are even stopping cars and buses, if you are not carrying identification, they take you to po1ice station unti1 someone arrives with your passport. There are no hau1 out spaces 1eft on the is1and, persona11y I'd stay away."

So many different experiences from different people, I don't know who's advice to take regarding current conditions..

 

[Gerry]

Well if you can make it round to the Western end I thoroughly recommend the Rio Dulce in Guatemala. The marina charges are from $100 - 250 a month for a slip or you can anchor for free, well the cost of the cruising permit. There are safe bays. A haulout facility at Ram marina where you can store on the hard. Cheap flights to the USA from Guatemala City or San Pedro Sula, just across the border in Honduras AND you can get a visa at the US Embassy in Guat City...

www.gerryantics.blogspot.com

 

[SimonJ]

Some thoughts.
If you are going to USA by boat then you need a VISA if you are not a US or Canadian. Visas can apparently now be obtained in Barbados (I have heard), Trinidad used to be the only place in the Caribbean but maybe no longer (rumour). Otherwise a Brit would have to go to London. Visa needs also apply to USVI and Puerto Rico. You CAN go to USVIs without a VISA and get stamped in etc if you go first by ferry from BVIs.
There are cheap flights into USA from Ponce (south of Puerto Rico) by JetBlue (similar to easy Jet) but you have first to get into PR. You need a return ticket to get in - maybe from USVI?
Storage: St Martin French side had a little space last week, none on Dutch side. Dutch side now v unpleasant with charges, Nazi style policing etc. Antigua has a few choices and some comply with modern insurance requirements ie strap down on concrete. BVIs had some availability but expensive. Curacao is getting good reviews for price, service etc. Grenada possible but expensive, Trinidad lots of choice getting more expensive and none have tiedowns etc.
PS why do you want to go USA? I would immigrate if I lived there now (& apart from 5 months visiting last year, I did once live there for 30 months). Crime, huge percentage living in poverty, expensive medical care (if any), 1 in 100 of adults are in prison (yes, true!). 30 people a day are killed in gun related incidents! Armed potty police in Florida etc are among the reasons to consider avoiding USA. (And it is election time)

 

[nickrj]

Hi Simon,

Yes, I'm aware of the Visa issue, which is why I am going to Barbados to sort one out. Also, I'm Australian, not British.

Appreciate the local info on the haul out scene... My plan now is to get to Barbados, get the Visa and go north ASAP.

As for why I want to go to the US... Sure, there are some negative things going on over there, but there are similar problems in every big country. The major reasons are that I have family to visit and a job to start, so I can keep sailing. Anyway, I have a ways to go before any of this happens!

n.