osiris, thanks so much for your info. i think if i watch the weather windows and leave in early november for jamaica and plan on getting to the bvi's by december 1 i should be ok. i mean going up to jamaica from panama is a 4-day trip and a few days to recover and thence to the bvi's along the south coasts of hispaniola and puerto rico. so really, when you look at it, a week leg to jamaica and a three week leg to st. thomas. i think at that time of the year conditions will be fairly do able. what's your take on this strategy?
rick