Kew West to Yucatan

[amytom]

A friend of mine wants me to help deliver his boat to his new home on the Yucatan pininsula near Merida. It is an early 70's 26' Westerly with the twin keels.
I'm not sure about 4 days 3 nights on this small a boat when the closest land (Cuba) is off-limits.
The trip will take place next spring with just the two of us crewing (along with autopilot).

Any words of wisdon or warning?


Tom

[DeepFrz]

I would recommend you go west until you are clear of the current before cutting across the Gulf. I would not recommend going straight across from Key West. I have crossed the Yucatan Straits and they can be a dangerous place with strong current. I think 4 days and 3 nights is very unlikely in a boat that size. I would think more like 5 days 4 nights could be doable so long as you don't hit bad weather.

Be sure to wait for a good weather window.

[scallywag]

Will the crew be able to take the trip? The Westerly if everything is updated and in ship shape should be fine. The theroetical speed should be around 6 knots. I would count on less. Based on the distance, a time factor should be easily calculated. Increase the time incase you have beautiful days and you want to veer off course. I scared my wife on one solo trip because the weather and sailing was great.

John

[amytom]

Originally Posted by scallywag

Will the crew be able to take the trip?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. A 26' Westerly is quite a bit smaller than my PDQ.

My freind is retired with no schedule so I may suggest a Gulf coastal tour over a couple of months with short hops along the way.

[DeepFrz]

My freind is retired with no schedule so I may suggest a Gulf coastal tour over a couple of months with short hops along the way.

That could be fun, but not necessary. Good weather planning is necessary and staying out of the current is a good thing.

I forgot to mention that if you do go across the stream to the north west end of Cuba then you can follow the counter current and head far enough south so that you are not fighting the main current as you cross the strait.