Planning a Cruise

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Well, Im back from 'Blue Water Rehab' for the week and am now beginning to plan our fall cruise. We are thinking of leaving around the first of October and being gone for anywhere between 3 and 5 months. We will be leaving the Galveston, Tx area and are not sure yet if we want to go east to Florida and then the Bahamas or just head south to Cost Rica, Honduras and Belize. Maybe if Castro kicks off, Washington will allow us to travel to Cuba. Anyway, my planning stage right now is mainly focused on outfitting my boat with cruising spinnaker, radar and many other little goodies. Sure would be nice to find one or more of you on this forum to 'buddy boat' with, either all or part of the way. The psychological effect of others nearby makes sleeping easier. Its the safety in numbers thing although we will still go cruising anyway, with or without others.Anyone wanting to join us, let me know and we could plan together. I have never been to the Bahamas nor Central America, so I am open to any and all suggestions.My lack of reliable communication may cause delays for a week or so while Im working, but I will get back to all of you. Tony B

 

[Kent Martin]

I am planning a similar trip.

Tony,I am planning a similar trip for next February or March. Unfortunately I can't head over with you this October, but I would be really interested in your planning process, specifically with how you choose your route. I am in the initial stages now, figuring out the route, timing, etc. I have't been able to find any cruising guides for the eastern coast of Mexico at all, and am waiting on the Gulf Pilot charts from Baker Lyman. Have you made this trip before? How bad is navigating the oil patch if you head east? Kent

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Kent

I never been to Mexico before by boat. I will have to get charts and talk to some mexican-americans I know. I been so busy lately, I havent had any time to do any real planning yet.Heading east, the oil patch can be really cluttered. Generally you can plan on passing through a new field about every 4 hours or so until you finally pass the mouth of the Ms. The safe way to do the east bound trip is to use the "Safety Fairway" which is used by large ships. The safety fairway will not have any platforms or obstructions. Depending on where you are going, it could be way out of your way. If you have Radar, you will not have a problem going through the oil patch. I suggest that whenever you pass through an oil field, you run your engine just in case you should need the extra power boost to avoid an unlighted platform. The oilfield boats are very good about not waking you in a channel. Most of them never saw a sailboat out there and may pass close by just to check you out, but nothing to worry about. BTW, Im in Waterford Harbor Marina, where are you at?

 

[Kent Martin]

Tony

We are neighbors - I'm in Watergate. I am on Pier 13, slip 45, 30' Cape Dory.I am thinking more and more about heading south, out to the Yucatan. The oil patch just seems to be not much fun. I would also rather not stay in the shipping lanes too much; I would prefer to avoid any traffic that can mow me down without noticing.It is interesting - for some reason, there are not any cruising guides I can find for the east coast of Mexico. I don't know why that would be, there are races I have heard of from Galveston to Veracruz and to Cancun. It seems odd that the publishing world seems to stop at Brownsville. I have looked down the coast on Google Earth, and there looks like some neat barrier islands and inlets to see, though not much in the way of cities until you hit Tampico. Right now, I am inclined to cross directly to Cancun, then across to the keys, then do the Bahamas for a bit before heading up the east coast to wait out the hurricane season in NY.I have found an interesting site from one of the forums - perhaps this one, I can't remember - on the Gulf current patterns:

 

[Dave from Mi.]

Roatan, Bay of Islands

Hi Tony;We just returned from a Princess cruise out of Galveston, to Costa Maya, Roatan, Hondourus, and Belieze (I know, lousy spelling) We chartered a day sail in Roatan, Bay of Islands, on a Pierson 37.5 and fell in love with the area. The West end of Roatan was a sailors dream, English is spoken everywhere, lots of nice small restruants, and great water. Best snorkeling we have ever done in the Caribbean in 11 cruises all over. Plus the local beer was great! Take a look at the area, looks like a great destination.Fair windsDavePS The day we sailed, we had 15-17kt trades and 2-3 ft swells and 84 degrees. I did not want to leave!

 

[Franklin]

Trip

If your heading south or east, I think it's best to follow just outside the safety fairway. There are a few rigs out there but not much and you are safely away from other traffic. After you've reached the continental shelf, then you can turn east if your heading east or continue south. The good thing about taking this route when going east is that you get into deep water so the waves are smoother and you can follow the shipping channel east keeping a safe distance but close enough that you should be able to reach others on VHF if needed.I've been told that one doesn't want to sail along the southern coast of the Gulf because it's much like the northern coast east of Texas.

 

[Tom H]

Southbound

I am a long way from being ready to start route planning but have spent a lot of time around folks that have. Most people who have been south to the Yucatan will tell you to make west from Florida instead of the southerly route from Texas. The rig count drops drastically when the water depth requires semisub or drillship class rigs, Jackups are limited to water depth, and the rig count continues to drop every year even with the cost of oil increasing. I have friends in Rio Dulce and they say "livin's Good" and the Boca del Toro region in Panama is worth looking into as it is a great location for services while exploring that part of Central America. Franklin, did you get your job contract? How do you like life in the amusement park? I may look at a slip over there for April.

 

[Franklin]

Contract

Yep...today is my second day. It is definately "different" here at this contract.I hate the amusement park

 

[Tom H]

Boardwalk

Franklin, thanks for the feedback. I have been frustrated by the low tides and I've been told that it's not a problem over there but the train whistle is loud where I am so it must get old over there. Good luck with the job.

 

[Franklin]

just kidding

I don't hate it. Actually love it. Just don't want everybody wanting to come over because then they will raise the rates. We only have a few empty slips. As soon as they start getting a waiting list then they will raise the rates. As for the tides...yeah...no problem at the boardwalk. I think Seabrook is the other one that never has a problem with low water.