Forced to change plans - where to go now?

[garychurch]

If you have boat insurance it no doubt sets the cruising limits geographically by date.

The current Coronavirus situation is very unpredictable but likely estimates say new cases will be significantly reduce by this July or August.

This uncertainty has resulted in many US marinas/moorings as well as most Caribbean and Bahama islands closed. Meaning no one permitted to travel in, including private Yachts.

When all these restrictions, which keep getting extend, will be cancelled is anyone's guess.

Best advice and previously given, return to Texas until a clearer picture emerged in a couple of months. Then head to the Cheasapeake when you can.

I am currently in the DR, really don't think you would like to summer in Luperon.

[RSB333]

Our experience cruising north from the Keys avoided marinas ($$$). We were able to dinghy ashore for groceries and you could use Gerry cans to get fuel if the fuel docks are closed. We spent a marvelous summer in Maine, mostly on anchor in snug harbors, often pretty remote. Don't let this ruin your cruise.
RSB333

[ArmyDaveNY]

The east coast is an excellent idea and there are plenty of places to tie up to with either your boat or your dinghy. You'll likely want to avoid hot spots such as NYC for a while, but there are a lot of other great places to visit.

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

If you can provision why not do the Bahamas for a while, before heading up the East Coast of the US. You could work your way up all the way to Maine as things warm up. Head back down next fall to the Chesapeake. This back down to the Caribe next winter!

Until things settle and become clearer with the new world order I would prefer to be close to or in the US. Lots more options as things develop.

Best of Luck!

Does no one read the news?
The Bahamas are closed!

Al, S/V Finlandia

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by apirate

See above, we had planned to spend the summer hurricane season in Luperon, DR. That’s now no longer an option.

We’re sort of in the same boat as you. We left Texas Nov1 with The intent to spend 3 months in the Bahamas, then a little easting to Puerto Rico followed by hurricane season in Panama.

That’s all off the table now, except the boat is in the Bahamas, family emergency forced us home. Now we can’t return.

Our loose plan is, if we can get back to the boat in the next months, is to head up the US east coast.

[Cadence]

Enjoy the Atlantic ICW. You have months to enjoy the trip prior to hurricane season .

[hamburking]

Keep in mind the the USA is now the epicenter of the pandemic, with NYC the current hot spot.

Assume you are going to get sick. Get someplace safe and stay there. Travel is becoming increasingly restricted, and a full lockdown may occur soon. Although you feel isolated and independent on your boat, you still need fuel and provisions on a regular basis. And you will be viewed as a potential carrier.

Find someplace safe and hunker down. That's what millions and millions of people around the world are doing. The next couple of weeks are likely to be much worse than you expect.

[guyrj33]

You could hop in the stream and head North, maybe even as far North as Nova Scotia and then work your way south along the coast.

[roverhi]

As for places to go on the EC, loved Charleston, the Dismal Swamp canal was surreal cruising in peoples backyards. Never got further north than the Chesapeake but you could spend a summer there easily.

Hurricane season is a crap shoot but staying in Florida without a hurricane hole to hide in is a no no for me. Didn't find Florida all that much interesting to cruise in any case.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by guyrj33

You could hop in the stream and head North, maybe even as far North as Nova Scotia and then work your way south along the coast.

The Canadian border is closed.

[Cheechako]

Stay South until maybe May when it gets quite hot. Work your way North. Maybe to the Chesapeake...

[Northbound44]

Knowing that most countries and Islands closedown their borders and that the US is just at the beginning of the pandemic, why not doing another YouTube cast during your vacation like WATERWORLD 2 !

Seriously, my best advice is stay or comeback home until the things settle down.

[CaptRory]

Luperon is a wonderful hurricane hole. Irma passed right over it and tore up the hill tops and did no damage to the numerous boats in the harbor.

[Paramotorgreg]

[QUOTE=hamburking;3104476

Find someplace safe and hunker down. That's what millions and millions of people around the world are doing. The next couple of weeks are likely to be much worse than you expect.[/QUOTE]

I think you have got it right here. The USA seems to be in some sort of denial at the moment but in a couple of weeks the death rate will be exceeding that of Spain & Italy and then drastic steps will be taken. Get yourself somewhere safe and secure until things settle down, which may not be for quite sometime - your home marina is probably best.

[deblen]

Canada is closed to all non-commercial traffic.
I think you will find most other countries are also closed.
Question: Will your Health Insurer continue to cover your travel to/thru COVID infected areas,including other US states? / Len


Some news from the rest of the world:


https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/coronavirus


http://www.tribune242.com/

https://www.pressherald.com/

https://www.bbc.com/news