Key West to Cuba to Puerto Rico to Culebra

[mjbtx]

Key West to Cuba to Puerto Rico to Culebra......is it possibly
in a 33ZX?

Key West is 129 miles (207 km) southwest (229.9 degrees) of Miami, Florida,[1] (about 160 driving miles) and 106 miles (170 km) north northeast (21.2 degrees) of Havana, Cuba.[2] Cuba, at its closest point is 98 statute (85 nautical) miles due south.[3]

It looks like Cuba is approx 100 statute miles south of Key West. Anybody
ever done this trip? Is it best also to file an itinerary with the Coast Guard?
Would you also carry a handgun?

[mjbtx]

There is also the Dry Tortugas.......
Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past
http://www.nps.gov/drto/

[gcarter]

I think it's illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba.....if I were going to do that, I don't think I would tell the Coast Guard.

[fegettes]

Haven't 8 of the 10 CG Cutters been taken out of commision indefinitely?

[justleft]

Yep, it is illegal for a US person to visit Cuba.

We got turned around in a storm and headed for Cuba at about 70mph.
It took our navigator about 45 minutes to get the GPS back running.
Never did see the Cuban navy but a big orange coast guard helicopter
flew next to us for about 20 minutes on the way back. They called us
on the VHS and wanted to know what we were doing. They also took
pictures and video.

I have talked to a guy that sailed there by accident. The cuban navy
intercepted him and escorted them to a port. After he convinced them
that he was just a lost boater and they found nothing when searching his
boat they treated him real nice. However he had to pay a hefty fine to get
his boat back. Then was escorted to the 30 mile limit and pointed north.

[mjbtx]

Great......guess I toss the going around / refueling in Cuba idea.
My dad has a place in Culebra.....couple miles east of PR. I freakin'
hate flying so I thought getting their by my own boat would be cool.
Thought about Bahamas and down through Abacos islands, etc.....
but I think 175 gal gas tank will not suffice between refills.....

[donzist]

IM from Puerto Rico..most of the people i know come thorugh the bahamas, though on larger sportfishermen. considering fuel costs, it might be easier, cheaper? just to ship it down from miami of ft lauderdale. My 35zfc was shipped from ft. lauterdale, but i guess that means you have to fly:( Culebra is just awesome, and Flamenco beach was recently named one of the world's top ten beaches..

[Lenny]

The Tortugas was cool. Bin der, dun dat... :D

Must do thing once I think...

[BOATMON]

mjbtx,

The run from FL to PR is very easy, if you have the time to watch and wait for weather. I did it in a 47 ft boat with only a 200nm range with installed tanks and I opted to not put drums or bladders on deck. We ran from slidell, LA to San Juan. I know of other who have done it in 25ft open boats. Run to the out islands and then Turks and Caicos. The run from Provo to Puerta Plata is only 163nm. Then to Puerta Santa Barbara then Mayaquez if you need fuel or right into San Juan. We pre arragned for fuel and provisions with an agent in Dom Rep.

Of course if you go as far as Culebra why stop. After the US and BVI ST. Martin is only 110 NM from roadtown.

I still have all my notes and log from the trip so if you are serious drop me a line and I would be glad to help. I lived on PR for six years and spent a lot of time at my friends home on Culebra.

It is possible to go to Cuba but it takes about a year to get proper clearance and you must be able to justify the visit.


Brad Schoenwald
954.560.9080

[mjbtx]

How many NM does a 33' ZX get w/175 gallons of fuel running
approx 3000-3200 RPM?

[BOATMON]

MJ,

I dont know..You would have to determine your fuel burn. What motors are in the boat and have you already determined this to be your most efficient RPM?


If you are running 496HO's or even 500 or 525 EFI I would "guess" your max range to be about 160-165 NM which be close to 10% less of your max fuel load.