Click for YF Listing Service Click for Mulder Click for JetForums Click for YF Listing Service Click for Abeking

route nassau to st thomas

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by insatiable, Apr 4, 2013.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. insatiable

    insatiable New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    austin, texas
    can anyone suggest route and fuel stops from nassau to st thomas? I'm a 57 foot cruiser with 250-300 mile range . thanks in advance
  2. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2009
    Messages:
    240
    Location:
    lake jackson, tx
    What type of 57' boat has a 250-300 mile range? I,m just curious.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Most all Sportfish.
  4. insatiable

    insatiable New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    austin, texas
    57 princess flybridge sport cruiser, im being conservative on range, can idle a lot further if need to
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    What is the speed of your 57' cruiser?

    The traditional stops would be Nassau to Long Island, Bahamas (Flying fish marina). Flying Fish always has fuel, Rum Cay rarely has fuel. Long Island to Providenciales (green turtle marina). Providencials to Puerta Plata, DR (Ocean World). Puerta Plata,DR to Samana, DR which isnt that far 100-125nm or you could go straight to San Juan, PR if you want to skip Samana. Or do Samana to San Juan,PR (club Nautico marina or Sanjuan Marina (a dive). Although you probably want to take short trips here and get in before early afternoon as the wind and waves tend to always pickup in the afternoon. San Juan to St. Thomas.
  6. insatiable

    insatiable New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    austin, texas
    thanks for the input, i usually cruise 20-25 knots
  7. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    At cruise, I don't think you're range is nearly 250-300. Deduct 20% of your capacity (for safety and unusable) and then figure capacity divided by fuel burn x speed.
  8. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,458
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    Once you leave the T&Cs you will be headed into the wind and unless it's nice weather you will most likely have to slow down.

    Flying Fish Marina does not always have fuel. I would call a head at any of your fuel stops just to make sure they will have fuel when you get there. I have also pre-payed for fuel to make sure it's there when I arrive.

    Keep an eye on the weather going into Provo and green Turtle marina. If the swell starts coming in from the North and breaking on and around the cut in the reef you can get stuck at the marina waiting it out. Or you can't get in. Sometimes it is better to go in at the South side of Provo for fuel.

    Also at Ocean World if it's coming out of the North the marina can rapidly become unusable.

    I would look at crossing the Mona Passage at night or early morning for the best ride.

    If you have the range I would skip San Juan altogether and fuel up on the East end of PR at The Yacht Club at Palmas Del Mar Then head to St. Thomas.

    Where in St. Thomas are you going to keep the boat at?
  9. insatiable

    insatiable New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    austin, texas
    thanks capt bill, im planning on leaving her at compass point marina for year or two.
  10. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2005
    Messages:
    490
    Location:
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Another option after long island is:
    Provo- Go into the south side and refuel at South Side marina, then the next day take a short hop to South Caicos across the bank and top off at Sea View Marina (great snorkeling in this area). I do not suggest going to Turtle Cove as it is a bit out of the way and you can get trapped by weather.
    Depart South Caicos at midnight or so and slow cruise to Samana.
    Spend the rest of the day and do the same thing to San Juan. The winds really pick up in the afternoon, so it is best to travel at night with an arrival in late morning.
    Then on to St. Thomas. I did this route in a 39' more than a few years ago and it worked out fine, we were pretty lucky with the weather as well.
  11. Navatech

    Navatech New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2013
    Messages:
    89
    Location:
    Hollywood, FL
    Similar but in reverse

    Hi, I'm planning on doing a similar route though in reverse: Fajardo, PR to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. My boat is a 1985 46'6" Bertram Convertible (720 gallon of built in tankage + 300 gallon bladder as special reserve).

    Am I correct in assuming that the pointers given in this thread apply just as well (though in reverse)?!...

    Basically I was thinking something along the lines of:

    • Fajardo, PR to US Virgin Islands as a sort of "shake down" cruise.
    • US Virgin Islands to San Juan, PR.
    • San Juan, PR to Samana, DR.
    • Samana, DR to Puerto Plata, DR.
    • Puerto Plata, DR to Turks and Caicos.
    • Turks and Caicos to Long Island, Bahamas.
    • Long Island, Bahamas to Nassau, Bahamas.
    • Nassau, Bahamas to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

    Is there any reason not to do it in July/August (you may assume that I'm in the habit of checking the weather forecast prior to leaving port)?

    Any specific pointers?!...
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    At that time of the year you will need to do more than just checking the forecast. You need to be aware of what may be brewing east of the islands. July and early august, storms can form close to the islands, whereas by mid August storms start forming closer to the Cape Verde islands

    Make sure you have adequate ground tackle should you need to hole in somewhere, two properly sized anchors and rode) and means to access NHC data while underway, can be as easy as a rental sat phone and someone shoreside texting you the NHC advisory and discussion

    By early / mid August the risks increase dramatically but every season is different
  13. Navatech

    Navatech New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2013
    Messages:
    89
    Location:
    Hollywood, FL
    How much of a warning can I expect? Every single leg of the voyage should be less then a full day (24 hours) so I'm assuming I should be able to reach a safe haven even if something starts brewing. I don't mind waiting out the weather as long as it's in a safe harbor.

    I have two properly sized anchors (one "Delta Fast-Set" and one Danforth), chain leaders and ample rode for each. I wouldn't mind picking up a third hook if I can find a used one. In addition, I have two drogues (just in case).
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    it depends, at least a couple of days. even if something develops nearby, it rarely blows up into a monster overnight... the key is too keep track of what's going on to the east. early in the season (june) stuff can also forms to the south and move north, but rarely very strong.

    harbors and marinas are not always safe, especially with tropical systems where wind may shift 180 deg when the center passes. at this time of the year, knowing where the true hurricane holes are located is a prudent move. not too many of them though, and can be crowded!

    by properly sized, i meant one to two sizes above what's shown in the selection tables... on 57 footer, that would mean an 88lbs Delta, fortress FX85. if your danforth is a high tensil 60, i'd consider this marginal. and problem with danforths is that they dont' reset well on a wind or current shift, which is common in many bahamian anchorages

    if you pick up a 3rd anchor, consider a 110lbs Bruce... cheap but holds very well.
  15. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,458
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    It's easier going back to Lauderdale. You are going with the prevailing winds much of the way.

    As to weather, just rent a SAT phone and call these folks: Commanders' Weather

    You should be able to get plenty of warning time to find a good place to hole up. But unless it's a very busy hurricane season you should be able to get a good weather window.

    Plus you should be able to catch some nice fish along the way. :)
  16. Navatech

    Navatech New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2013
    Messages:
    89
    Location:
    Hollywood, FL
    Thanks for that tip.

    I've experienced hurricanes (as well as typhoons - same difference) but that was on a Panamax box carrier... Even then it was scary... I would NOT want to be on a small boat during one of these...

    I plan on getting some gear (the boat has outriggers) but I have no idea what to get or how to use it :) I hope to pick it up on the way :)
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    That should be fine. The weather should be very predictable that time of year. Just keep an eye if any hurricanes are brewing.
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Generally this tends to be a rougher way to go because you're heading more directly into waves and current from the Mona Passage on your way to Samana.
  19. Navatech

    Navatech New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2013
    Messages:
    89
    Location:
    Hollywood, FL
    Weather information

    My boat has a Sirius (audio) receiver. Would a Sirius Weather subscription be an acceptable alternative to getting a satellite phone?
  20. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,458
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    In my opinion, no. Between coverage and interpretation issues I'd stick with talking to the weather forecasting pros.