has anyone ever left florida and done then virgin islands

[bahama bound]

We have done alot to our mac lately and just wrapped up a week cruise that went really well, boat was alittle tight but all in all pretty comfortable! Just read about a family with 2 kids that trailered their older mac from Alaska and were seen on staniel cay ? I would think SOME ONE has done it ?

[cptron]

I would without hesitation if I could get the time off work to do it.

[bahama bound]

I would without hesitation if I could get the time off work to do it.

really ??? Want me to call and get you fired ?

[Chinook]

An extreme sports guy called Madmike posted here 8 or 10 years ago, about trips he took on his highly modified 26X named Xeno's Arrow. He cruised that boat the length of the Mackenzie River, in the Arctic Ocean, down major rivers in the US, and if I recall correctly, he crossed the Caribbean and went partway up the Amazon. He did a lot to his boat which helped make such adventures possible. As I recall, he upgraded and strengthened all windows, strengthened the sailing rig, and came up with retractable pontoons on each side of the hull. I think he mounted a pair of retractable motor mounts to each side of the hull, and attached pontoon floats to the motor mounts. He also got rid of the big outboard and replaced it with a pair of small outboards. I'm sure he also strengthened his rudders. I think he also did something with the water ballast, involving storage of fresh water. Last I heard, he was thinking about sailing his boat to Hawaii, but I believe he got interested in other pursuits and never made the attempt.

The idea of wandering around in the Caribbean has a lot of appeal, but it's a quantum jump beyond what is involved in getting out to the Bahamas. Lots of big open ocean passages, with serious weather and currents to contend with. Short of going Madmike's route with major modifications, I think someone intent on cruising down there would want to invest in a better suited boat.

[cptron]

I would without hesitation if I could get the time off work to do it.

really ??? Want me to call and get you fired ?

Veeerrry tempting indeed.

[dlandersson]

lol

I would without hesitation if I could get the time off work to do it.

really ??? Want me to call and get you fired ?

[NiceAft]

If I remember correctly, one of our board members sailed from Puerto Rico to the V.I.

Ray

[Ixneigh]

Plus why bother ? Plenty of deep water down there.
Ix

[bahama bound]

If I remember correctly, one of our board members sailed from Puerto Rico to the V.I.

Ray

would that be a longer open water crossing 80-100 miles ?

[NiceAft]

Here is a post from Mad Mike showing an example of what he has done.

Ray

http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... ico#p75977

[NiceAft]

Here is the post from the fellow who sailed his Mac to the V.I. From P.R.

Ray

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... co#p219375

[dlandersson]

Looking at the map, you leave Florida for the Bahamas, work your way down the Turks and Caicos, jump south to the Dominican Republic, then PR, then the BVI. There! - my job is done.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Briti ... eeb1ec3b3d

We have done alot to our mac lately and just wrapped up a week cruise that went really well, boat was alittle tight but all in all pretty comfortable! Just read about a family with 2 kids that trailered their older mac from Alaska and were seen on staniel cay ? I would think SOME ONE has done it ?

[bahama bound]

Looking at the map, you leave Florida for the Bahamas, work your way down the Turks and Caicos, jump south to the Dominican Republic, then PR, then the BVI. There! - my job is done.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Briti ... eeb1ec3b3d

We have done alot to our mac lately and just wrapped up a week cruise that went really well, boat was alittle tight but all in all pretty comfortable! Just read about a family with 2 kids that trailered their older mac from Alaska and were seen on staniel cay ? I would think SOME ONE has done it ?

I know I sound naive,what is the longest jump in your opinion ?

[dlandersson]

The hop from Florida to the Bahamas, with the hop from the T & C to the Dominican Rep 2nd. Stay clear of Haiti.

Looking at the map, you leave Florida for the Bahamas, work your way down the Turks and Caicos, jump south to the Dominican Republic, then PR, then the BVI. There! - my job is done.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Briti ... eeb1ec3b3d

We have done alot to our mac lately and just wrapped up a week cruise that went really well, boat was alittle tight but all in all pretty comfortable! Just read about a family with 2 kids that trailered their older mac from Alaska and were seen on staniel cay ? I would think SOME ONE has done it ?

I know I sound naive,what is the longest jump in your opinion ?

[bahama bound]

That's what I thought ,so I have a tremendous amount of respect for Chinooks opinion , so i know he has his reasons for caution .it looks like mostly coastal island hopping !