planning on sailing down to cuba, anyone out there done it lately??? is it better to take off from key west??? how treacherous is the gulf at this time of year??? what's the easiest marina to navigate to???? thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
S
Scott Davis
Cuba
You know its illegal to go to Cuba from the US> you must first visit another country like the Bahamas. Check with the State Dept first to make sure. Also know the CG will most likely board you on your return trip. I use to work down there. Scott Davis USCG, GMC
You know its illegal to go to Cuba from the US> you must first visit another country like the Bahamas. Check with the State Dept first to make sure. Also know the CG will most likely board you on your return trip. I use to work down there. Scott Davis USCG, GMC
J
John J. Brady
Why not stay?
People die by the thousands leaving there, and you want to go. I say sail over, get out and give your boat to some people who are obviously smart enoughf to leave.
People die by the thousands leaving there, and you want to go. I say sail over, get out and give your boat to some people who are obviously smart enoughf to leave.
E
Ed Schenck
Study Ithaka's log.
They are there now and update their log every Friday. Sounds like a great place to cruise. Definitely no crowded harbors! From experience(US Navy) I know the island to be beautiful. See: http://www.sailingworld.com/ithaka/
They are there now and update their log every Friday. Sounds like a great place to cruise. Definitely no crowded harbors! From experience(US Navy) I know the island to be beautiful. See: http://www.sailingworld.com/ithaka/
J
Jim Ewing
Wish I could go.
Contrary to Scott's post it is not illegal to travel to Cuba, you just can't spend any money there. You do have to get permission from the US Gov't but I don't know if it's State or Coast Guard. You also won't necessarily be boarded on your return. In most cases you should be able to clear through on the phone. The big thing is don't bring anything back or you will be busted, including loss of your boat. There are several annual races/flotillas that go to Cuba from Florida and they don't run into any problems on the legal front. As to the Florida Current / Gulf Stream. Don't cross with big winds out of the NE - SE you'll get the old wind over current effect. You could (if you wanted to go there first) consider leaving from the Dry Tortugas. Then you'd get a bit of a lift to Havana. From what I've read Marina Hemingway is your only choice for clearing in but I may be wrong about that. As to the other negative comments you'll get just remember that the US has normal relations with the most repressive and nasty Governments in the world. You can travel freely to them and spend your hard-earned dollars without restriction. But not Cuba because Americans of Cuban descent represent a sizable voting block and no politician of either party feels like alienating them. Have a GREAT trip! Jim "Prospect"
Contrary to Scott's post it is not illegal to travel to Cuba, you just can't spend any money there. You do have to get permission from the US Gov't but I don't know if it's State or Coast Guard. You also won't necessarily be boarded on your return. In most cases you should be able to clear through on the phone. The big thing is don't bring anything back or you will be busted, including loss of your boat. There are several annual races/flotillas that go to Cuba from Florida and they don't run into any problems on the legal front. As to the Florida Current / Gulf Stream. Don't cross with big winds out of the NE - SE you'll get the old wind over current effect. You could (if you wanted to go there first) consider leaving from the Dry Tortugas. Then you'd get a bit of a lift to Havana. From what I've read Marina Hemingway is your only choice for clearing in but I may be wrong about that. As to the other negative comments you'll get just remember that the US has normal relations with the most repressive and nasty Governments in the world. You can travel freely to them and spend your hard-earned dollars without restriction. But not Cuba because Americans of Cuban descent represent a sizable voting block and no politician of either party feels like alienating them. Have a GREAT trip! Jim "Prospect"
B
bill walton
Cuba not Illegal
First, check the following URL. It's for an annual flotilla/race from Tampa to Cuba. We're sort of planning on joining as it passes west of KW. www.havanacup.com secondly, from my soapbox ... why is it we can deal with North Korea, a very nasty country, even to the point of feeding many of their people, grant normal trading status to Red China, a country that would like to see us disappear but not allow me to sail to Cuba, a country that is in no way a threat. The answer as someone already pointed out is a bunch of Cuban-American fanatics and a bunch of cowardly politicians. tirade over bw
First, check the following URL. It's for an annual flotilla/race from Tampa to Cuba. We're sort of planning on joining as it passes west of KW. www.havanacup.com secondly, from my soapbox ... why is it we can deal with North Korea, a very nasty country, even to the point of feeding many of their people, grant normal trading status to Red China, a country that would like to see us disappear but not allow me to sail to Cuba, a country that is in no way a threat. The answer as someone already pointed out is a bunch of Cuban-American fanatics and a bunch of cowardly politicians. tirade over bw
S
steven f.
jim and bill are correct
Both Jim and Bill are correct, it is NOT against the law to travel to Cuba, just to spend money there. Now for my soap box. China is a "most favored nation" but it uses child labor in illegal fireworks factory's they call school. Cuba makes sure most of its children get the opportunity for an education if they want one. Now for the actual trip. I went there on a (I'm ashamed of this part) 28'power boat two years ago and found the country and people to be fantastic. The officials and the people both want you in their country and treat you with a smile every day, more than I can say for my hometown of Miami. The Gulf Stream in the spring is usually fairly calm but there are exceptions. We went over with 2-4'seas and returned with 8-10 with some 12' waves, restfull and relaxing it was NOT!! When clearing out of Cuba they (the Cubans) spend a good deal of effort to protect you from your own government. They make sure you and your vessel are in compliance with US laws reguarding Cuba, at least they did with us. Make sure you have nothing to prove you spent ANY $$$ in Cuba and dont even think about bringing back a Cuban, you will go to jail in either Havana or Miami, depends on who catches you. Clearing in to the US was a snap as long as you filled out the proper forms with the USCG. I think you need a form allowing you to clear the security area, contact your local USCG office and they should give you the details, I just cant remember it all. All said it was a great experience and the Cubans were the easier to deal with than the Americans. On a sailboat you should have no trouble being self sufficient, that is the key to not spending money. Also, the Havana Cup Regetta is in May every year. Contact the organizers, not sure who they actually are but I hear they put on a nice event. I say GO NOW, you'll love it!!! The Cubans are some of the nicest people you will every meet, especially if you've ever been to Miami.
Both Jim and Bill are correct, it is NOT against the law to travel to Cuba, just to spend money there. Now for my soap box. China is a "most favored nation" but it uses child labor in illegal fireworks factory's they call school. Cuba makes sure most of its children get the opportunity for an education if they want one. Now for the actual trip. I went there on a (I'm ashamed of this part) 28'power boat two years ago and found the country and people to be fantastic. The officials and the people both want you in their country and treat you with a smile every day, more than I can say for my hometown of Miami. The Gulf Stream in the spring is usually fairly calm but there are exceptions. We went over with 2-4'seas and returned with 8-10 with some 12' waves, restfull and relaxing it was NOT!! When clearing out of Cuba they (the Cubans) spend a good deal of effort to protect you from your own government. They make sure you and your vessel are in compliance with US laws reguarding Cuba, at least they did with us. Make sure you have nothing to prove you spent ANY $$$ in Cuba and dont even think about bringing back a Cuban, you will go to jail in either Havana or Miami, depends on who catches you. Clearing in to the US was a snap as long as you filled out the proper forms with the USCG. I think you need a form allowing you to clear the security area, contact your local USCG office and they should give you the details, I just cant remember it all. All said it was a great experience and the Cubans were the easier to deal with than the Americans. On a sailboat you should have no trouble being self sufficient, that is the key to not spending money. Also, the Havana Cup Regetta is in May every year. Contact the organizers, not sure who they actually are but I hear they put on a nice event. I say GO NOW, you'll love it!!! The Cubans are some of the nicest people you will every meet, especially if you've ever been to Miami.
T
Tim Schaaf
and besides......
many of the roads are better than in Mexico, there is little crime, and you can walk in the poorest parts of cities at night. Last time I was in DC, none of the above were true within five blocks of the White House......
many of the roads are better than in Mexico, there is little crime, and you can walk in the poorest parts of cities at night. Last time I was in DC, none of the above were true within five blocks of the White House......
R
Rudy P.
to John Brady
I pity people like you, you have no idea why they are coming do you???. They come for the same reason Nicaraguans, Colombians, Mexicans, etc etc come, TO MAKE MONEY. I have been in the US for 41 years because people like you supported the dictators of then, the mafia controlled dictators of then, the old red light districts of then and lets not forget the less than min. wages that were paid to all those stupid cubans who worked for people who did not want to pay living wages to AMERICANS in the US. Don't come selling crazy ideas to me about Cuba I am all filled up. The same old cubans in MIAMI that want to topple Fidel are the ones that RAN like chicken shits when I WAS A LITTLE KID IN A BEATIFUL ISLAND and a new DICTATOR came in just like ALL the other dictators that ever ruled that island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only difference is that FIDEL told all the people like you "YOU WILL NOT CONTROL THIS ISLAND ANY MORE".Don't worry so much about what you don't know and do something about the hunger of little kids in your own backyard and the homeless on you own backyard. Why don't you worry about African kids dying of hunger ? or Colombian kids dying to make drugs for all the rightious in the US? All I can humbly say to you sir is SHAME, SHAME , SHAME!!!. have a great day.
I pity people like you, you have no idea why they are coming do you???. They come for the same reason Nicaraguans, Colombians, Mexicans, etc etc come, TO MAKE MONEY. I have been in the US for 41 years because people like you supported the dictators of then, the mafia controlled dictators of then, the old red light districts of then and lets not forget the less than min. wages that were paid to all those stupid cubans who worked for people who did not want to pay living wages to AMERICANS in the US. Don't come selling crazy ideas to me about Cuba I am all filled up. The same old cubans in MIAMI that want to topple Fidel are the ones that RAN like chicken shits when I WAS A LITTLE KID IN A BEATIFUL ISLAND and a new DICTATOR came in just like ALL the other dictators that ever ruled that island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only difference is that FIDEL told all the people like you "YOU WILL NOT CONTROL THIS ISLAND ANY MORE".Don't worry so much about what you don't know and do something about the hunger of little kids in your own backyard and the homeless on you own backyard. Why don't you worry about African kids dying of hunger ? or Colombian kids dying to make drugs for all the rightious in the US? All I can humbly say to you sir is SHAME, SHAME , SHAME!!!. have a great day.
K
Kenneth Pfaff
To Rudy P
Rudy, I read you post at least 3 times and I couldn't tell if you were angry at people for going to Cuba, angry at people for not going to Cuba, angry at the USA for the imbargo, or angry and Fidel for his rule of Cuba. All I could really tell was that you are ANGRY at someone.
Rudy, I read you post at least 3 times and I couldn't tell if you were angry at people for going to Cuba, angry at people for not going to Cuba, angry at the USA for the imbargo, or angry and Fidel for his rule of Cuba. All I could really tell was that you are ANGRY at someone.
R
Rudy P.
To Kenneth P
read John Brady's note to me maybe you will understand. I am not into politics and I am really upset at myself for letting J. Brady get to me. sorry for the gut spilling , all I wanted was info on the way to there. have a nice day
read John Brady's note to me maybe you will understand. I am not into politics and I am really upset at myself for letting J. Brady get to me. sorry for the gut spilling , all I wanted was info on the way to there. have a nice day
sailing , to cuba,
I too read that post several times and and unsure who he is pissed at, that he is pissed there is no doubt,I am glad some one else was confused, And lastly I enjoyed the remarks about people wanting to leave cuba,and found the post refreshingly humorous, alas we all see the world in different shades and that is what makes life so interesting, fair winds, regards Mike B , ,
I too read that post several times and and unsure who he is pissed at, that he is pissed there is no doubt,I am glad some one else was confused, And lastly I enjoyed the remarks about people wanting to leave cuba,and found the post refreshingly humorous, alas we all see the world in different shades and that is what makes life so interesting, fair winds, regards Mike B , ,
E
Eric Lorgus
Going to Cuba
Rudy, The October 2000 issue of Cruising World has an article on sailing to Cuba. It's not illegal to visit, just illegal to spend money there unless you get a permit, which you might be able to get if you're a student, journalist, researcher, etc. However, if you can arrange to be sponsored by a non-USA national, they can spend money on your behalf for dockage, entry fees, etc. Visit www.treas.gov/ofac for the official U.S. party line on this. To leave U.S. waters, you must obtain a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard. Call them at 305-415-6860 to receive a faxed application form. You must submit the completed application at least 72 hrs. before your planned departure. If you plan on only visiting Havana, then Marina Hemingway is the closest entry port to Havana. Leaving from the Dry Tortugas to reach Hemingway will put you at right angles to the Gulf Stream. If you leave from Key West or points east, you'll be fighting the stream. If you plan on coastal cruising, I'd recommend you make landfall at Marina Acua in Varadero, and work your way east from there. The best charts for Cuba are published by Geo Cuba, the Cuban charting agency. The notes are in Spanish, but they're the most up-to-date (I bought mine through Bluewater Books & Charts in Ft. Lauderdale, and they had handwritten, dated notations as of two months before I bought the chart). You should also invest in a good cruising guide. Nigel Calder's is a popular one. Most Cubans are very friendly, and will do small favors for you without expecting payment. In fact, I think trying to pay them might get them in trouble. But what you can do is have a token to offer as thanks. Soap and fish hooks are in short supply in Cuba. Cuba continues to be a sore subject in the U.S., as one of the posts here demonstrated. Its government is no worse than China, but as long as Castro is alive, current U.S. policy isn't likely to change. Be careful who you talk to about visiting Cuba, especially in the Miami area. When returning to the U.S., clear in through Key West -- avoid entering at Miami. Good Luck Eric Lorgus s/v Impulse 83H54
Rudy, The October 2000 issue of Cruising World has an article on sailing to Cuba. It's not illegal to visit, just illegal to spend money there unless you get a permit, which you might be able to get if you're a student, journalist, researcher, etc. However, if you can arrange to be sponsored by a non-USA national, they can spend money on your behalf for dockage, entry fees, etc. Visit www.treas.gov/ofac for the official U.S. party line on this. To leave U.S. waters, you must obtain a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard. Call them at 305-415-6860 to receive a faxed application form. You must submit the completed application at least 72 hrs. before your planned departure. If you plan on only visiting Havana, then Marina Hemingway is the closest entry port to Havana. Leaving from the Dry Tortugas to reach Hemingway will put you at right angles to the Gulf Stream. If you leave from Key West or points east, you'll be fighting the stream. If you plan on coastal cruising, I'd recommend you make landfall at Marina Acua in Varadero, and work your way east from there. The best charts for Cuba are published by Geo Cuba, the Cuban charting agency. The notes are in Spanish, but they're the most up-to-date (I bought mine through Bluewater Books & Charts in Ft. Lauderdale, and they had handwritten, dated notations as of two months before I bought the chart). You should also invest in a good cruising guide. Nigel Calder's is a popular one. Most Cubans are very friendly, and will do small favors for you without expecting payment. In fact, I think trying to pay them might get them in trouble. But what you can do is have a token to offer as thanks. Soap and fish hooks are in short supply in Cuba. Cuba continues to be a sore subject in the U.S., as one of the posts here demonstrated. Its government is no worse than China, but as long as Castro is alive, current U.S. policy isn't likely to change. Be careful who you talk to about visiting Cuba, especially in the Miami area. When returning to the U.S., clear in through Key West -- avoid entering at Miami. Good Luck Eric Lorgus s/v Impulse 83H54
R
Rudy P.
To Eric Lorgus
thanks , that is all I was after. The information is great and to tell you the truth I don't even know when I'll take the trip. But take the trip I will. again thanks
thanks , that is all I was after. The information is great and to tell you the truth I don't even know when I'll take the trip. But take the trip I will. again thanks
G
gene
S
Steve Cook
B
Bill
To Rudy
Rudy there is also an article in Spring2000 Canadian Yachting check on www.canyacht.com...enjoy the read and the trip.
Rudy there is also an article in Spring2000 Canadian Yachting check on www.canyacht.com...enjoy the read and the trip.
R
Rudy P.
To Bill
thanks, I just got into sailing 3 years ago and I'm like a little kid with an ice cream cone: can't get enough!!!
thanks, I just got into sailing 3 years ago and I'm like a little kid with an ice cream cone: can't get enough!!!
G
GUIDO GARLASCHI
Go for it...!
Rudy.. Just do it, it will not take more than 48 hrs. to get there. Done it in my Hunter34. People are nice, the country has the most beutiful corals, beaches and the mountains in the background. At that time I sailed from KW. to Habana then Cayo Julia,cabo San Antonio entering the Yucatan Strait to Gran Caiman. You will enjoy the journey. Guido.
Rudy.. Just do it, it will not take more than 48 hrs. to get there. Done it in my Hunter34. People are nice, the country has the most beutiful corals, beaches and the mountains in the background. At that time I sailed from KW. to Habana then Cayo Julia,cabo San Antonio entering the Yucatan Strait to Gran Caiman. You will enjoy the journey. Guido.
G
GUIDO GARLASCHI
Go for it...!
Rudy.. Just do it, it will not take more than 48 hrs. to get there. Done it in my Hunter34. People are nice, the country has the most beutiful corals, beaches and the mountains in the background. At that time I sailed from KW. to Habana then Cayo Julia,cabo San Antonio entering the Yucatan Strait to Grand Cayman. You will enjoy the journey. Guido.
Rudy.. Just do it, it will not take more than 48 hrs. to get there. Done it in my Hunter34. People are nice, the country has the most beutiful corals, beaches and the mountains in the background. At that time I sailed from KW. to Habana then Cayo Julia,cabo San Antonio entering the Yucatan Strait to Grand Cayman. You will enjoy the journey. Guido.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.