Freedom is getting closer May 2009!!!! Actually we probably won't head south until after hurricane season in the fall. So I am wondering about destinations. If I was in Mobile Alabama and wanting to go south to Isla Mujeres or Belize what would be the best route?? Being simple mined should I just head straight across the gulf??? Should I be clever and try to go with the flow ie try to take advantage of currents. Take the scenic route and go to key west or the dry tortugas and then north of Cuba??? Just follow the coast west and south to Brownsville and points south??? Heading direct seems like a good option 4-500 miles just slog on a direct course until I get there. Going around to the east would be more scenic and provide would be more coastal but a lot longer trip.
Crossing the Gulf of Mexico
- Thread starter MoonSailer
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The Mexican Coast
There are some really interesting stops on the Mexican coast, and lots of little hidey holes if you need them. If time is not a factor, I can highly recommend going that way. The only place I would avoid would be Tampico. Just personal opinion, but to me, that is the nastiest, filthiest, most corrupt place in this hemisphere, even more so than some of the border towns. Do not miss Vera Cruz if you go that way. I love that place, as much as I hate Tampico. There is a neat little spot about 150 miles S. of Brownsville, name of La Pesca. Last time I was there you could get a few provisions and diesel. Villa Hermosa is also a pretty neat place. There is a cruising guide for that area, written by a Capt.Rains I think. Been a while since I've been down that way, but will be happy to give you any info. I can recall.
There are some really interesting stops on the Mexican coast, and lots of little hidey holes if you need them. If time is not a factor, I can highly recommend going that way. The only place I would avoid would be Tampico. Just personal opinion, but to me, that is the nastiest, filthiest, most corrupt place in this hemisphere, even more so than some of the border towns. Do not miss Vera Cruz if you go that way. I love that place, as much as I hate Tampico. There is a neat little spot about 150 miles S. of Brownsville, name of La Pesca. Last time I was there you could get a few provisions and diesel. Villa Hermosa is also a pretty neat place. There is a cruising guide for that area, written by a Capt.Rains I think. Been a while since I've been down that way, but will be happy to give you any info. I can recall.
John Sailing is BOTH the journey and the destination!!!!!
Sailing endless circles around a lake or bay is great fun. But sailing to somewhere that you want to be is also great fun. With sailing you have it all. The enjoyment of sailing and the enjoyment of reaching a great destination.
Sailing endless circles around a lake or bay is great fun. But sailing to somewhere that you want to be is also great fun. With sailing you have it all. The enjoyment of sailing and the enjoyment of reaching a great destination.
Gulfstream
Don't know much but when we left the Keys for Isla Mujeres we cut straight across to Cuba and followed to coast about 3 miles off to avoid most of the current and it was still a long slow slog. But it sure was pretty. None the less I think I'd choose the Texas route from Alabama.
Don't know much but when we left the Keys for Isla Mujeres we cut straight across to Cuba and followed to coast about 3 miles off to avoid most of the current and it was still a long slow slog. But it sure was pretty. None the less I think I'd choose the Texas route from Alabama.
There is a "race"...
out of Mobile to Isla Mujeras either every year or every other year. Would be cool to do it with others who had done it before, plus have some help along the way if you needed it through radio net. I believe they sail straight across, skirting West end of Cuba. Another group does it out of Tampa. Regatta del Sol I believe. You moving that Pearson back down to the Gulf?
out of Mobile to Isla Mujeras either every year or every other year. Would be cool to do it with others who had done it before, plus have some help along the way if you needed it through radio net. I believe they sail straight across, skirting West end of Cuba. Another group does it out of Tampa. Regatta del Sol I believe. You moving that Pearson back down to the Gulf?
Mexico might be questionable
One of the boats in our marina took a trip to Panama and had trouble in Mexican water with "pirates". Scary few hours as he and his wife were the only ones on the boat. Others in the marina have said to avoid sailing in Mexican waters alone due to pirates or hijackers. Drug business is really out of control down there. Brother-in-law went on a fishing trip to La Pesca 2 years ago and the guy running the outfit had to hire armed guards to protect his clients as well as pay off the local police.
The Regatta al Sol is in May from Pensacola,Fl to Isla Mujeres. The Regatta Del Sol al Sol is in April from St Petersburg, Fl to Isla Mujeres. Both have websites Additionally there is a regatta from Galveston to Vera Cruz, Regatta De Amigos, in June that might be fun to participate in and then spend sometime in Vera Cruz before heading to Isla Mujeres. That would get you past the trouble areas in a large group of boats.
Good Luck and I wish I was going with you. I heard Belize is beautiful.
Tom
S/V At Last
One of the boats in our marina took a trip to Panama and had trouble in Mexican water with "pirates". Scary few hours as he and his wife were the only ones on the boat. Others in the marina have said to avoid sailing in Mexican waters alone due to pirates or hijackers. Drug business is really out of control down there. Brother-in-law went on a fishing trip to La Pesca 2 years ago and the guy running the outfit had to hire armed guards to protect his clients as well as pay off the local police.
The Regatta al Sol is in May from Pensacola,Fl to Isla Mujeres. The Regatta Del Sol al Sol is in April from St Petersburg, Fl to Isla Mujeres. Both have websites Additionally there is a regatta from Galveston to Vera Cruz, Regatta De Amigos, in June that might be fun to participate in and then spend sometime in Vera Cruz before heading to Isla Mujeres. That would get you past the trouble areas in a large group of boats.
Good Luck and I wish I was going with you. I heard Belize is beautiful.
Tom
S/V At Last
I hate to hear that about La Pesca
That is really a nice little town, or was. I have spent a lot of time there, beach camping and fishing. Used to take my boys when they were small, and we never had the first hint of a problem. I guess the drugs have taken over there too.
That is really a nice little town, or was. I have spent a lot of time there, beach camping and fishing. Used to take my boys when they were small, and we never had the first hint of a problem. I guess the drugs have taken over there too.
Honeyman We will probably move it to the coast spring 2009
Man we sure do miss St Andrews Bay. Don't get me wrong Wheeler Lake is a nice lake for sailing and no problems with oysters growing on my prop or prop shaft. But we do miss Panama City Sailing. If I could afford it I would buy a house in PC. Plans are still being made and the exact timing of moving the boat to the coast has not been decided. I want to replace the mast step and standing rigging before we go cruising. All looks pretty good but it is probably the original rigging so about 28 years old!!!!
Man we sure do miss St Andrews Bay. Don't get me wrong Wheeler Lake is a nice lake for sailing and no problems with oysters growing on my prop or prop shaft. But we do miss Panama City Sailing. If I could afford it I would buy a house in PC. Plans are still being made and the exact timing of moving the boat to the coast has not been decided. I want to replace the mast step and standing rigging before we go cruising. All looks pretty good but it is probably the original rigging so about 28 years old!!!!
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