As the winter turns to spring, all the folks who have been cruising in the Caribbean this winter are pondering their plans and many are plotting courses north to the East Coast of the U.S. for a summer season of cruising in the Chesapeake, New England and the Canadian Maritimes. There are a few ways to make the trip north and each has its plusses and minuses. For those in a hurry, the direct route from Antigua, St. Martin, the BVI and USVI often shapes a course to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in late April or early May so the crews can enjoy Mid-Atlantic cruising before heading north and east. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association runs an inexpensive rally along this route and offers weather forecasting, a daily check in and camaraderie. Some boats heading north will choose to stop in Bermuda to break up the trip, particularly if they are heading to ports north of New York.
For those on a leisurely schedule, the route north through the Bahamas eliminates the long offshore passages and offers great cruising in the Turks and Caicos, Exumas and even the Abacos. You will have only a few passages of over three days and most of the trip can be day-sailed. The spring is often the best time to cruise the Bahamas and anchorages will be less crowded than in the high winter season. From the Bahamas, the passage north to Beaufort and the ICW is only three days and the run to New England will take about seven or eight days. I have made the passage both ways and have enjoyed them both. What is your preference and what insights do you have about the trip north from the Caribbean to the East Coast? Email me at george@bwsailing.com.
