Trip from Key West to Cuba, past Haiti to Puerto Rico

[mjbtx]

Do you think a trip like that would be good? I'd actually like to end up in
Culebra which is 18 miles east of Puerto Rico. By then, I hope to have
a boat 38' or bigger.

[RickyR]

What kind of boat are you thinking of doing this in?
Your best route should be to the Upper/Middle Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, then to PR.
Fuel is the biggest issue here. I hope you're talking a diesel powered boat??
Most of the sport fish group that does the FL to St. Thomas circuit goes that route. It can get nasty down near the Mona Passage, and around Puerto Rico.
If you're looking to go to Cuba, just go, and come back to Key West, then go on from there. You are "supposed" to have permission to go to Cuba, but lots of people don't worry about it...
Gas in Cuba is pretty expensive, and is usually available, but diesel is very available. Make sure you carry enough for both ways, that way you aren't stuck down there waiting for Pedro to bring a few barrels of fuel to you.. The Hemmingway Marina is the most popular stop, and is very helpful. They even have a pizza shop there, and a few good bars.
Plan for weather, and carry as much fuel as you can.

I have done several trips from Key West to Cancun. Most of the times we would wait in KW, for decent weather, then make the trip. Other time we "had" to go, and it wasn't much fun. We carried 3 extra drums of fuel (diesel), just to be safe. We always arrived with extra, but it made me feel good.
No pit stops out there..
PLAN AHEAD !!!!! and Plan for the worst.
Ricky...

[mjbtx]

Thanks for the reply. I currently have a 33' ZX but I am looking
to get into a 38ZX, 39 ZSC or 45 ZX. I have never taken a trip
"far" into the ocean. This year I plan to do a trip to the Bahamas
and/or Key West and will probably hook-up with Florida
Powerboat Club. In 2006, I would like to do a trip to Culebra.....
18 miles east of Puerto Rico. We'll see.......I have to make
sure the wife/kids confident and I might see about organizing
other folks to go. My folks have a place on Culebra. Sounds
like a pretty cool place. I haven't been there yet however
the Travel channel.com rated it a top beach/caribbean spot.
Are there any good online distance calculators? I found one
the other day but it is bookmarked on my "work" computer.
I'd love to find a Donzi for the right price w/diesel power but
their really rare. You'll find the 38' Fountain Sport Cruiser and
I saw a 45' Sonic w/diesels and surface drives the other day.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/7/77936397.htm
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/4/27303544.htm

[RickyR]

I know it won't be much of an adventure, but here is a damn nice way to do this. http://www.yacht-transport.com/

Once you are in Culebra, you can island hop from there. Mind hurricane season down there, Culebra has lots of Mangroves for tying up a boat for hurricanes. Not a place I would choose to be, during a bad storm though.
Ricky..