Carribean Sailing?

[UB]

I'm new to all this, I'm just understanding the "LINGO." I wolud like to Buy a sail boat to sail to the Island, what type would I need?Has anyone made that trip, how is it, weather, time it takes to get there etcc?What should I prepare for, Misconception new boat owners face?Can I sail to say US Virgin Islands with the C30?thanks

 

[Larry W.]

Sail to the island

UB; If you don't know how to actually sail, I wouldn't embark on a trip across the Stream on a 30 foot boat. Spend a summer with a Lido 14, learn what all those strings do, the forces involved, etc. The ocean, like the forest and the desert, doesn't hate you, it just doesn't give a rat's ass about you. You have to operate on its terms and conditions, and without experience, you're a SAR waiting to happen.

 

[Tom A]

use caution

UB, I've crossed the stream several times, it's not brain surgery but it can still kill you. Watch the weather, DON'T GO WITH A NORTH WIND. If you get good conditions it should take you about 9 to 12 hours to cross depending on where you leave from and go to. Last time we went on our C-30 from Key Largo to Bimini it took us 9 1/2 hrs. There is no perfect boat but the time we've spent on our C-30 has been a joy. Before crossing get some experience. Better yet find someone that's done it and can show you the ropes. Also our boat draws 5'8" with the fin keel. Although you have to read the charts well it did not present a problem for us. We sailed from Bimini over the top and down into the Abacos, no problem.