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The islands off Venezuela and points west.

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by Capt Bill11, Jun 23, 2010.

  1. Capt Bill11, Jun 23, 2010
    #1
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    I'm planning our trip to and through the Panama canal and on to CR.

    I had wanted to go down island (currently in PR) and jump from Grenada to the islands off Venezuela and island hop my way to the ABCs.
    But when asking around the more I hear the more I have misgivings about going that route for security reasons. on board would be myself and 5 male crew members. And we would be towing a 22' inflatable.

    Anybody have any local knowledge of that area as it pertains to vessel security these days? Or anything else for that matter.

    Would I be better off leaving say, St. Lucia or St. Vincent and heading right to Bonaire staying off and above the islands of Venezuela as much as possible?

    Also looking at stopping in Cartagena. So information about that area would be appreciated.
  2. Yorksafloat, Jun 28, 2010
    #2
    Yorksafloat

    Yorksafloat New Member

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    Location:
    Ensenada, Baja, Mexico
    Islands off Venezuela

    Capt Bill,
    My wife and I just finished that trip both ways. We went from the Canal to Puerto Rico via the ABC's, the Venezuelan Islands and then up the Windwards to the Leewards. Then we went directly from PR to the Canal to head across the Pacific.
    My experiences are:
    1. Cartegena is a WONDERFUL place to stay. Very safe with a vibrant cruising community. The only negative is that the harbor is a barnacle factory and you will need to plan on having your bottom cleaned. Fortunately that's inexpensive and a local guy does it while you're at anchor (our 55' steel trawler cost about $75).
    2. I would have no reservations about stopping at either the Aves or the Rocques. Like anywhere else in the Caribbean, be smart. It sounds like you have a much larger boat so you might be more "attractive" to a thief but the reports of danger are (IMHO) greatly exaggerated. Again, just be smart. If someplace looks sketchy or makes you nervous, move along to a more populated anchorage. Lock things up and minimize the chances of a crime of opportunity. Have a decent and prudent "security plan" for your boat. DO NOT SHOOT THE LOCALS (or at least make sure you are prepared to sit in a local jail if you do!). Remember that just because a small boat with scruffy young men comes racing up to you....it might be fishermen wanting a bottled water.
    3. You can certainly do the entire run off shore but you will miss some great sights and adventures.

    You can read about our experiences at www.yorksafloat.com
    Enjoy!
    Jim
  3. Capt Bill11, Jun 28, 2010
    #3
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Thanks Jim.

    Can you clear into Venezuela at Aves or los Roques? Also I've heard you have to clear in and out any time you move. True?

    Oh, while I'm thinking of it, do you have any charts or guides you want to sell of that area of the world?
  4. Fishtigua, Jun 28, 2010
    #4
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    You cannot clear out of Los Rocques or Aves. The nearest place is on the mainland at La Guaira or my old homeport of Caraballeda.Clearing in can be done in Isla Margarita, Cumana (a bit industrial) or Puerto la Cruz.

    The Yorks are right about cruising this area, its all pretty safe if you take care or should I say no worse than any other Caribbean Island.

    I was based there from '96 to '01 and loved the country, the people and of course the fishing.

    Check out this web site

    http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Venezuela


    Cheers

    Fish
  5. Capt Bill11, Jun 29, 2010
    #5
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Thanks.

    One of my issues is I'll be towing a 22' inflatable which of course I can't bring on deck at night. I can lock it with a long cable to the big boat. And/or have a security watch rotation at night. Which is a bit of a PITA.
    I intend to have the transom swim platform area well lit up at night by LED floods.

    Did you have any issues with the quality of the fuel there?
  6. Fishtigua, Jun 29, 2010
    #6
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    In all the time I was there all the fuel was cheap and clean except once.

    Warning, the one time I filled the tanks at a posh marina and not the local fishermans quay from a tanker truck, I picked the biggest load of old rubbish you could imagine.

    We got 3/4qts of the way to Los Testigos when the starboard DD92v8 shut down. Checking the Racor, it was full of water and sludge. We carried on with one engine and changing the Racor and empting the bowl every 5 minutes. Horrible.

    We had to charter a helicopter to get the Boss home and wait for a fishing boat to bring out some clean fuel 3 days later. Be aware.

    As to towing, no problems. Many cruising yachts tow a sportfisherman such as a small Cabo, Blackfin or similar.

    Cheers

    Fish