Any volunteers to take our family from Miami to the USVI?

[mayday51]

Good afternoon,
We will be moving to the USVI in mid-June. We are researching how best to transport ourselves (2 adults, 2 kids, 3 cats) from Miami to what will hopefully be our newly-purchased catamaran, awaiting us in between Cruz Bay and Red Hook. We are not looking forward to a flight, and I was wondering, how much would it cost to travel via boat? This would be a quick trip--we would want to depart on the 17th of June, and arrive on the 21st. Is that completely unrealistic? Forgive my ignorance, I haven't yet researched how long it would take. Any input/suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by mayday51

Good afternoon,
We will be moving to the USVI in mid-June. We are researching how best to transport ourselves (2 adults, 2 kids, 3 cats) from Miami to what will hopefully be our newly-purchased catamaran, awaiting us in between Cruz Bay and Red Hook. We are not looking forward to a flight, and I was wondering, how much would it cost to travel via boat? This would be a quick trip--we would want to depart on the 17th of June, and arrive on the 21st. Is that completely unrealistic? Forgive my ignorance, I haven't yet researched how long it would take. Any input/suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

You want to get from Miami to the VI in 3-4 days? I guess you haven't looked at a map? It's about 1000 miles and dead upwind the whole way. Yes it is totally unrealistic even impossible in any regular cruising sailboat, even a big cat.

If you want to make the trip by boat check one of the cruise lines like Royal Caribbean.

[Mystic38]

book your flights.

That is a totally unrealistic trip.. 4 days on a hard schedule for 1100nm or so directly upwind just is not going to happen at all.

[skipmac]

If you departed noon on the 17 for arrival noon on the 21 you have 96 hours to make it. Means you would have to average about 12 knots, dead against the wind and current which can be a knot or more in places.

If you're seriously asking I apologize but this question certainly looks like a troll to me.

[mayday51]

Thanks for the info. I had looked into a cruise ship, but they don't take pets. Wasn't realistically thinking it could be sailed in 4 days...was more wondering about power boats.

[CSY Man]

2 hours on American Airlines...

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by mayday51

Thanks for the info. I had looked into a cruise ship, but they don't take pets. Wasn't realistically thinking it could be sailed in 4 days...was more wondering about power boats.

I did that trip on a Westport 112 motor yacht. It took us 6 days.....and the cats could not have gone. I think you'll need the airline tickets.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by mayday51

Thanks for the info. I had looked into a cruise ship, but they don't take pets. Wasn't realistically thinking it could be sailed in 4 days...was more wondering about power boats.

Assuming the weather stays calm you might do it in a fast power boat but I think it would be quite expensive. Just fuel costs at a very rough guess could be $10,000 or more.

[Hud3]

A friend of mine was thinking about taking his new 54' power boat from Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas. After looking into the cost of the trip (fuel and marinas) and the wear and tear on the boat from bashing into the wind, waves and currents, he decided to spend $15,000 to ship it there on a freighter.

I'd say your chances of finding someone willing to transport your family and pets are less than nil.

[doublewide]

Nothing goes to weather like an aurplane.

[akprb]

Sportfish do it but it's a kidney pounding marathon. Better be a tournament on the other end :-)

[Tingum]

From the question you asked I would like to suggest you hire a patient experienced Captain to help you get accustomed to your new boat.

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by Tingum

From the question you asked I would like to suggest you hire a patient experienced Captain to help you get accustomed to your new boat.

[Stu Jackson]

I got some seriously freaky and nasty pms from some bozo on here when I suggested he do a SDT analysis of his question about a trip, so I hesitate to suggest it to the OP. I hadn't thought about suggesting looking at a map. Good one.

Seriously, to the OP, you don't need to know much about sailing or even motoring a boat. Ask yourself: how long would it take to get a car that could only do 5 miles an hour from Maine to Florida?

Good luck with your new boat when you get there.

[mayday51]

Ok, ok! I have much to learn. I get it. Thanks to those who gave me polite advice. I will buy my airline tickets forthwith. Kind regards.