Plans, progress,departure....

[bristol321]

Well,
So far the plans have been met. The bristol is gaining in leaps and bounds. The engine, sails, rigging, new electronics, electrical system, plumbing etc is all done (ya I know never done) Heck I've even made time for britework and pretty stuff.
As for the refresher courses and general sailing skills; I make time to sail everyday and also have been crewing on two different racing yachts. The learning curve is awesome right now.
If I can keep this rolling for the next year or two my cruising plans will be on schedule.
I have been acquiring spares as I am completing all the projects and learning every inch of this boat.
What I need sailnets help with is planning a very basic itinerary. I have countless charts, have read many if not most of the suggested books, have been studying trade wind travel routes, but I would love to see someone elses plans. Can anyone point me to a cruisers blog or a good information site?
Needless to say I couldnt have gotten half as far as I have w/out your great advice. Now the question is: Can ya help me get the rest of the way......... Norfolk>bermuda>????

[camaraderie]

Other than the 600 miles straight to Bermuda which seems to need little advice (June 1st or November 1st ) where exactly do you want to go and will you be singlehanding? Time available or extended trip with no end?
If you just want to read some cruising blogs...try here: SailBlogs | Sailing Blog Hosting

This is an excellent one on the caribe: Indigo Moon

[bristol321]

Hey Cam,
Thanks for teh reply. Cruising time is 2 years +/- I was planning the same path my parents last took. Nov 1 to bermuda from norfolk> bahamas> exumas> BVI> St Barts.........Then my diversion.... Coastline to Panama canal>These are very broad plans, no set itinerary, just looking for ideas on how other folks made there schedules. See if I can form a hybrid (more personalized) schedule

[camaraderie]

321...I guess most folks going to Bermuda would then skip the Bahamas since the necessary easting has been made to make a straight run to the BVI's under sail. Those with the Bahamas as a destination (and a fine one it is!) recognize that you don't need to go 600 miles east to get 50 miles east and tend to make coastal jumps from Beaufort down to Charleston and then across from there or from Florida. Heading to the Caribe from the Bahamas is difficult offshore as you will be heading about 400 miles directly into the trade winds and seas before being able to turn south OR dealing with the lengthy thorny path route. Once you get to the BVIs' then saiing down island and along the coast of S'America to the Western Caribe becomes easy passages with the wind generally coming from helpful directions.

So...it seems to me that including Bermuda and then the Bahamas on your initial plunge south is counter productive and that one or the other is best visited on your homeward leg as a last taste of paradise before a return to "the world". Hope that is helpful.