Which port in a storm

[CharlesM]

Hello All

I am planning to take Serendipity out of the Hurricane area spring (Northern hemisphere) 2006. She is currently in St. Martin/Sint Maarten.

I had originally thought to take her to South America - Venezuela, but am now thinking possibly Trinidad. (looking at http://stormcarib.com/climatology/TTPP_all_isl.htm one can see Trinidad has had 4 huricanes and 7 tropical storms in the period of 1851-2004)

Which would you prefer and why?

Does anyone have recomendations for safe storage at either of these places?

Regards
Charles

 

[ChrisE]

If you are thinking of Trinidad and plenty do, Chaguramas (sp) is the place to go. Huge boat yard with loads of facilities and good, cheap labour for things like topside painiting, antifoulng, etc.

Venezuala is currently out of fashion with the cruising folk on account of the percieived security position. I'm not sure whether it really is a problem though and have good things about the marina in Caracas, altohugh not been there myself.

 

[Sea Devil]

Trinidad - Chaguaramas bay - is full of liveaboards - hundreds and hundreds - in the marinas and on anchorage - restaurants, cafes, bars chandlers et al - Majority are Americans - living in air conditioned luxury and will probably never voyage again -cheap air flights to Tobago - best and biggest boat yards in the Caribbean.

Venezuela is a much smaller version of the above - The two places I know - Margarita - a holiday island and I think a tax free place... Good community of liveaboards and the town a short bus ride away - but very much a holiday destination. Puerto de la Cruz is a mini Chaguaramas. Several boat yards, liveaboards in inexpensive marinas . Is part of south America so there are lots of places to visit - Angel Falls - and all the wonderful islands - perhaps a better cruising base - interesting places to sail to - bit more real. I do not think there is any more of a security issue there than Port of Spain.

I think both have attractions and in the end it depends how easy it is to fly in and out - certainly I think both are a lot more interesting than St Martin but then that's just personal taste...

Both Trini and Venezuala are out of the hurrican belt - why they are so popular -

 

[Gerry]

We are currently in Venezuela, Isla Margarita to be exact. Spent the last three months in Tobago and then Trinidad after fleeing from Emily! Wouldn,t want to be in Chaguaramus Bay in really bad weather. Far too many boats, not good holding and strange currents to confuse the uninitiated!!
Lots of rich americans in the marinas but excellent facilities for maintenance. We hauled out at Peakes for two weeks to antifoul etc bill came to $250! You do end up spending a lot of money though as there is always one more bit to mend.
We evaded Emily tied in to the mangroves in Scotland Bay, just before Chag and it was fine, winds up to 35knots but all well.
Venezuela is cheap, cheap, cheap but on a real economic downturn. Security seems to be an issue in some places but so far, touch wood, we have been ok. Whole fillet of steak for £4! Haven't tried getting any work done though and am not sure how many facilities remain as the economic downturn continues.Weather here pretty awful this week with 39k squalls many days and huge lightning storms but very good holding and lots of space. Spent last week in Isla Cubagus where we were often the only boat in huge bay.
Suggest you combine both, work in trini then down here to cruise!Why haul out and store? Keep cruising! Lots of yards in Trini but all have some security issues, two break ins in Peakes while we were there even though the place is full of security guards. Venezuela gets very booked up and there have been some serious incidents in the past few months but then again it is very cheap.