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Hi. I have friends living in St. Croix who want my wife an I to sail down and live there. We will be staying with them till we get set up and on our own. We have a 31' Columbia sailboat that we would like to sail down from Morro Bay, Ca. We've never sailed past San Diego and have no idea what is in store past that. Mexico, Panama canal, Virgin Islands???? Any one out their have any info or who to talk to? Thanks Kent.
Try the relocation board, lots of boating experience there. Sound like a great adventure!
Molly
I'm not a real sailor who has traveled the world. But this is not a trip for the faint of heart. And it will be expensive as you will need to go through the canal. It will be long and 30 feet is not really a big boat. But it can be done. I would go in early spring.
But I agree, it is probably the trip of your life. So go do it!!!
billd
If you are not experienced sailors and very used to living and sailing on your 31' vessel that trip is really not the one to start with. Getting to the Canal from Calif. is a long offshore passage or one with stops along the way - research those stops well ahead of time - and include alternate choices - - - the Panama Canal itself is getting less easy for small boats to transit - and way more expensive. The deposit required, the cost of the Pilot, 4 linehandlers,4 150' docklines, all start to add up quickly and the insurance for your boat may even prohibit that transit because of the possibility of severe damage.
The trip from Colon to STX is dead into the wind - against the current and would likely require you to either go South along the South American coast or North as high as Jamaica.
One reasonable alternative since the vessel is only 31' is truck it to Fla. and sail through the Bahamas and down - much easier on the boat and You. There are also Boat transport ships as well who are expensive but considering the time and cost involved in sailing here possibly worth it.
I have taken a sailboat through the Panama Canal to STT - it was long and rough, compared to my other passages from the East Coast down to the VI.
It certainly can be done - it would be a long and rewarding adventure if you have the time and money - you will learn a lot about yourselves and will know the boat extremely well - have learned navigational skills that will benefit you forever - lost every ounce of uneeded body fat and found and honed muscles you never knew you even had. Definitely do a lot more research before you decide.
exit zero said it much better than i could
billd
Hi, I have done this trip and it is too complicated for a brief reply. If you really want to do this contact me at [email protected] and we can exchange phone numbers. I don't want to discourage you but this is a major trip which requires experience and good judgement. In any case good luck. Chuck
