Northerly passage from Curacao

[ann]

Thinking about going north from Curacao in February or early March. Expect to arrive south coast in either the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. It’s sailing often need to be flexible! Anyone have any tips for this trip?
Would like to visit the Dominican Republic but may need to move on within about 10 days and could do with experiences going from south coast to south coast. Would there be an influence from the Mona Passage, especially in a northerly, for instance?

 

[tcm]

Thinking about going north from Curacao in February or early March. Expect to arrive south coast in either the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. It’s sailing often need to be flexible! Anyone have any tips for this trip?
Would like to visit the Dominican Republic but may need to move on within about 10 days and could do with experiences going from south coast to south coast. Would there be an influence from the Mona Passage, especially in a northerly, for instance?

Ho there - cruisers forum is def gonna have more people done this gig, by far. There would def be an influence of the Mona Passage of course, between Rico and DR. I would be keen to make easting if any north, then head north when wind has no north. 500nm or thereabouts, surely make landfall on south coast. But if north winds perhaps make landfall on east carib islands first....

 

[KellysEye]

We have done that trip twice to Puerto Rico, it's upwind upcurrent so not a pleasant sail. Make sure no swell is running once we had an unforecast swell and crossed 68 degrees west three times before we could finally make headway. If you arrive at night there is no wind and flat calm on the south coast so you will need to motor, a blessed relief. We also did the trip from Bonaire to the island chain twice. You might consider leaving from Bonaire to make the trip shorter.

 

[ann]

Thanks for your advice it's much appreciated.

 

[rickym]

Would second Kellys Eye's comments. I have done Curacao and Bonaire to PR in 2013 and in 2014

Try to go with a bit of south in the wind. The further north you get the less the west flowing current as you cross the Caribbean. If you end up in PR the officials are the pits in Ponce (south coast) We have been there twice not a pleasant experience. Remember it is the USA and they require a visa for non US or Canadian citizens. Draconian rules about fresh produce, meat and dairy on board (you can't have any) and you cannot throw any garbage away anywhere as it is all considered 'foreign' Yea right! Other than that PR is a nice place and the people are lovely.

 

[KellysEye]

Agree with rickym about the draconian rulles about food etc, and the people really nice. One boat arrived without a visa and it was the good cop bad cop routine shouting at the skioper in public view, presumably done on purpose, they were fined and then got a visa. A B1/B2 visa is best because it allows unlimited entry in any US territory for 10 years.