New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advise

[sebastien972]

Hi, I am originally from Martinique (French Island in the Caribbean) and I now live in Tampa Bay where I found a boat for a great price.

My goal is to to drive it back home this coming September and since I never drove a boat more than a couple miles from the coast, I am looking for advise in planning the trip.

The boat is a "scarab sport" by Wellcraft 30' long with two 225cc Mercurys and less than 80h. It also equipped with a Garmin 545s and has a small cabin in the bow.

The trip would be 2736 nautical miles long and I would hop from island to island stopping for refueling and sleep.

As I am the adventurous type of guy and that I have some free time in my hands, I am willing to take the risk. However I am not reckless and I would like to be fully prepared before my journey, and I turn myself to you for some advice.

Do I need a special license to navigate legally from island to island?

What equipments would I need? (raft, first-aid kit, food...)

Even though I don't plan to step foot down on land, would I need any paperwork I would have to provide to local authorities? (I have a French passeport).

Do you know of any book I could read before my trip?


If you think of anything please let me know. Thank you,

Sebastian

 

[jserb]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

first off......
Your going to get a lot of people on here telling you, you are crazy. This site is mostly filled with small boaters whom do not go long distances, or have ever thought about venturing out in the ocean. Now, dont be confused when i say that, i have learned SO MUCH from my friends on here, just because they dont go long distances in the ocean dosent mean they dont know what they are talking about, this site has saved me over and over again. However, even for my little trip going 60 miles i had people saying i was crazy or was a "unprepared weekend warrior". I tell you this because, yes it is the ocean, and yes you are taking a very serious/ dangerous trip. However, if your ok with that, and thats what you want to do, im not going to try and ruin the trip, i support you 100%. I know nothing of the trip your speaking of, but your doing the right thing by coming here and reaching out to people from that area. It is a trip that most certainly can be done; however if not prepared, you have to know that there is a risk you might not come back...I will follow this post, I would love to see you do it.... safely, good luck!
-Come on boys, lets not point out the obvious "oh its the ocean, people can die out there", or "your not going to make it because i had a friend who knew a guy who bla bla bla..", lets educate him, start giving him information on the trip, what he can expect, when he needs to be safe, and then allow him to make his decision!

 

[sasto]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

First stop for me would be Ft Meyers. Take the waterway across the Big Lake to Stuart. Next leg would be a 4 hour ride to Port Lucaya, Bahamas. Check in: $150. for crusing permit. Next leg would be Marsh Harbor,BS. Go to Nippers on great Guana Cay on Sunday. I like the Out Islands, San Sal and Rum. Fuel, food ,fun. Turtle Cove Marina in the Turks and Caicos is a must. New Marina at Puerto Plata, DR, then on to Casa de Campo Marins and Resort, DR. Short trip to San Juan, PR for an eduaction then to St. Thomas for some big marlin Bossman paid me to do is trip 9 times. Have fun. Keep the dirty side down.

 

[capt sam]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

the trip is doable WITH an experienced captain but you better do all your fuel burn calcs first before anything else. A guy I know ran a 31' Sea Vee to Mexico from here which is a bigger trip. Go thru the motors thoroughly, get and register an epirb and all the other safety crap you can haul.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Stay away from Cuba or your trip may be unexpectedly extended by several months. It happened to a guy I know.

 

[sasto]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Cuba??? One of the most beautiful and hospitable islands in the Carib.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Cuba??? One of the most beautiful and hospitable islands in the Carib.

Beautiful? Yes. Hospitable? So much so they won't let you leave.

 

[sasto]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Beautiful? Yes. Hospitable? So much so they won't let you leave.[/QUOTE



I thought thats what you were saying, and you are so correct. Had a wonderful time at Hemmingway Marina. I could live there.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Any chance you can change your timetable...September is peak of hurricane season down there.

 

[Blevins]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Ok well i am supportive of your venture because i think its life bliss to take some chances. With a few quips. NO ONE should be with you as you seem to be inexperienced. And you may or may not end up on an episode of "I shouldnt be alive!" So you need to be well equipped with day and night flares. A good working VHF to contact help. A solid inspection on the boat and its motors and fuel system and battery quality/ levels. I mean you seriously need to inspect this boat with some serious scrutiny. The smallest issue can lead to major disaster on a 3000 mile trip. You should know you docking fees and KNOW where you are docking! Keep proper identification on you at all times. Also you should share with other people your intended intinerary so that you can be tracked if something were to go wrong. Please stay safe and as you are an Island native be aware of their cultures and respectable actions. Bon- Voyage!!

 

[hubbard53]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

i love these threads. Someday...someday I'll be cruising around the bahamas, moorign the harbors, drinking some fine St. Lucian Bounty Rum, Chairman's Reserve, of course...

Yeah, I think experience is necessary as well as prudence. Just like I wouldnt drive a '88 Monte Carlo with bald tires across country in the winter, I wouldnt take a poorly maintained boat across the ocean. I think you know that. I think that anyone pondering such a trip knows this as well.

I think a raft, EPIRB, quality VHF, GPS and a backup, first aid kit, tool kit, a bit of spare fuel & oil, food, water, and rum would all be part of my 'adventure kit'.

good luck and let us all know your progress - would be a blog i'd read.

 

[USMCMatt]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

I'm surprised nobody has also mentioned there are several groups that take off together every week just about and travel in somewhat of a loose "pack" over there for safety and can assist if something does go wrong. Do some google searches for crossing groups and such and you'll find them.

 

[backyardhockey2]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

A book? The Bible comes to mind. Good luck.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: New to boats, planning a one way trip from Florida to the caribbean. Please advis

Might not be a bad idea to pack a firearm especially if your boat is worth a lot of $$. Just remember to declare it when you enter forign waters.