Retirement

richardbayle

richardbayle

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 Aug 2006
Messages
446
Location
French Antilles
www.richardbayle.com
OK, it's the big one. Retirement! Taking off for Caribbean and seeing how long we can live there.

Done some research and taking a bare boat charter before we go to; literally, try the waters.

Big question. When I take my Hunter 41DS across the pond and start to live the nautical equivalent of the good life, what amendments should I have made to the electrics on the boat? Clearly I assume it will be US voltage, so question is do I rewire or can I convert easily?

Have a wind vane and two photo electric cells.

No abuse please, I'm knocking on a bit.
 
Most marinas will offer both 110 and 220v the 220 MAY be 50hz. It is quite possible to anchor out most of the time. Quieter and cooler. So think about more solar.

A charter out of Canouan puts you some of the prettiest locations, a one way from St Lucia to Grenada is also a good intro.
 
Would agree with TQA: you can't have too much solar. You'll be glad of the wind gen, too: it will often work 24/7 in the more dependable winds of the Carib (unlike here where all it does is cast a useless shadow over the panels).
Water is also something of an issue, if only because it often means putting into marinas. You might consider modifying your bimini (assuming you have one) to gather rainwater.

I assume you have no fixed generator since you didn't mention one. If thinking of getting a small petrol genny, they're best bought in Europe. The Antilles needn't be ridiculously pricy, but items like gennies, outboards etc, are much dearer than in Europe. They get nicked more often, too, so take sensible precautions.

For long-term stays in the Carib you'd be best advised to convert your gas supply to use propane.

Enjoy.
 
De ja vu -we were in exactly this position some years ago. If we were to do it again:

240v - no prob but might be worth getting a dual voltage battery charger some islands only have 110 - St kitts for example. Then power everything from batteries and an inverter if you need 240.
We had wind and solar but if we did itagain I would go for a generator as well. There are plenty of cloudy calm days. Running the engine to make amps is not good or efficient in the long term. If you must get an uprated alternator.
BUT one thing I would not be without is a watermaker. without one you will be lugging jerry cans around all the time and it won't rain enough to make rain catching viable. We had some Canadian chums who resistedvfor two seasons
before realising the benefits. Watermakers draw lots of amps hence my desire for a genny.
Make sure your batteries are good and at least 400ah - the best you can afford -we ditched our12v leadacid and got 6v golf cart ones from Trojan - much more suited to yacht charging cycles.
 
So which way should you go, start in the south and cruise north, or visa versa?
My biggest worry is what happens in the hurricane season?

I've been watching 'Death in paradise' on the Beeb, makes it all look very very attractive. The Med. winter weather isn't consistently good enough for an outdoor life, don't fancy the Canaries ' chav' islands, as I had the misfortune to spend 3 weeks there once. What a place, Move over Benidorm.

The Caribbean looks better and better..............please advise further!
 
rustybarge said:
The Caribbean looks better and better..............please advise further!
Click to expand...

Sadly I can't, although I'd love to. Nor, I suspect, can most people who've 'done' the Carib, when in fact all they've 'done' (like me) is the Antilles. So it's a bit like asking for the low-down on European sailing of someone who's spent a season or two cruising the Western Isles. There will, of course, be others who have knowledge of wider Caribbean waters.
 
Gosh, the Caribbean is a huge place, we have just returned to the UK from 8 years cruising there.

We started at St Maartens and then went south down the Antilles. When you first arrive it certainly does seem like paradise BUT it's very expensive in that chain. We went down to Tobago and then headed to Trinidad as the first hurricane season approached, only to have hurricane Emily pass rather too close for comfort.

On to Venezuela, which we enjoyed and had no hassle, but that is 6 years ago now. Then the ABC islands, Bonaire being an oustanding destination. On to Columbia along the coast and visiting a number of bays before we arrived in Cartagena, wonderful place and very safe! Panama via the San Blas islands, one of the greatest cruising destinations in my humble opinion. Spent a year cruising Panama and doing some land travel in Costa Rica. On to the Columbian islands of San Andreas and Providencia just off the coast of Nicaragua. Honduras, Guatemala-where we based for a while, fascinating places with some great sailing. Belize, Cuba the Caymans in no particular order...............

There is so much more than just the Antilles once you get across the Atlantic, e tended to try and head for the more out of the way places and the ones that the US boaters thought dangerous. Have fun, I envy you going off for the first time!
 
windlipper said:
Rusty barge, As a "Chav" who spends lots of time in the Canary Islands can I say that I and "everyone" in the islands is so glad you only spent 3 weeks there and are not planning to return.
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My apologies; it wasn't a reflection on you personally, i'm sure youre a very refined person. I wouldn't classify the Canaries as an interesting cultural experience, but would definitely say it was educational from a sociolical viewpoint. My main concern was the amount of English pubs offering an eclectic mix of English fusion cuisine. I'm not sure that tourists would ever experience even a tiny amount of Spainish culture.

The Canaries and The costa del Sol are in my opinion cultural deserts. Where are the museums, art galleries and Spanish ethnic cultural traditions?

IMHO Benidorm, The Costas and The Canaries are expat ghettos, with little Spainish influence. Blackpool in the sun.
 
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rustybarge said:
My apologies; it wasn't a reflection on you personally, i'm sure youre a very refined person. I wouldn't classify the Canaries as an interesting cultural experience, but would definitely say it was educational from a sociolical viewpoint. My main concern was the amount of English pubs offering an eclectic mix of English fusion cuisine. I'm not sure that tourists would ever experience even a tiny amount of Spainish culture.

The Canaries and The costa del Sol are in my opinion cultural deserts. Where are the museums, art galleries and Spanish ethnic cultural traditions?

IMHO Benidorm, The Costas and The Canaries are expat ghettos, with little Spanish influence. Blackpool in the sun.
Click to expand...

Have you been to Lanzarote?
I think we arrived with some of the same prejudices as you.
After 3 months on the island we had certainly changed our minds. Visits to the extra-ordinary architecture of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/César_Manrique the world renowned artist Cesar Manrique home in the volcanic tunnels on the north of the island.
A fascinating tour of the volcanic lava fields, it looked as though it would be crass with the piped commentary and 2001 film theme music but it was informative and fun.
The valley of a 1000 palms, the delicious wine produced on the island.Some of the restaurants up in the hills were extremely good.Oh and not to forget the superb classical concert that we went to in the auditorium in one of the huge caves on the island,amazing acoustics!

The locals were friendly and the marina at Puerto Calero probably one of the most efficient we have ever stayed in.

Perhaps another visit is in order?
 
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Gerry said:
Gosh, the Caribbean is a huge place, we have just returned to the UK from 8 years cruising there.

We started at St Maartens and then went south down the Antilles. When you first arrive it certainly does seem like paradise BUT it's very expensive in that chain. We went down to Tobago and then headed to Trinidad as the first hurricane season approached, only to have hurricane Emily pass rather too close for comfort.

On to Venezuela, which we enjoyed and had no hassle, but that is 6 years ago now. Then the ABC islands, Bonaire being an oustanding destination. On to Columbia along the coast and visiting a number of bays before we arrived in Cartagena, wonderful place and very safe! Panama via the San Blas islands, one of the greatest cruising destinations in my humble opinion. Spent a year cruising Panama and doing some land travel in Costa Rica. On to the Columbian islands of San Andreas and Providencia just off the coast of Nicaragua. Honduras, Guatemala-where we based for a while, fascinating places with some great sailing. Belize, Cuba the Caymans in no particular order...............

There is so much more than just the Antilles once you get across the Atlantic, e tended to try and head for the more out of the way places and the ones that the US boaters thought dangerous. Have fun, I envy you going off for the first time!
Click to expand...

And although not strictly Caribbean the Turks and Caicos, The Bahamas and even Florida are part of this great cruising area.

However I do like the Antilles, such variety in cultures but such consistancy in good sailing conditions.
 
I wasn't seeking an apology (I do appreciate it even if it does sound patronising and sarcastic!) I am comfortable and secure enough not to be personally offended by such outdated, stereotypical and prejudiced remarks which were intended be read by a very wide audience. I reponded because I felt that your comments were inconsiderate and insulting to many and worthy only of bar room banter.
rustybarge said:
My apologies; it wasn't a reflection on you personally, i'm sure and worthyoure a very refined person. I wouldn't classify the Canaries as an interesting cultural experience, but would definitely say it was educational from a sociolical viewpoint. My main concern was the amount of English pubs offering an eclectic mix of English fusion cuisine. I'm not sure that tourists would ever experience even a tiny amount of Spainish culture.

The Canaries and The costa del Sol are in my opinion cultural deserts. Where are the museums, art galleries and Spanish ethnic cultural traditions?

IMHO Benidorm, The Costas and The Canaries are expat ghettos, with little Spainish influence. Blackpool in the sun.
Click to expand...
 
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