"Cuba Anyone" ??

That would be an awesome destination, but you cant just boat there anytime you decide. There are some hoops to jump through. Some interesting reading here https://www.viahero.com/travel-to-cuba/getting-a-cuba-general-license. This mostly covers commercial travel by air, and doing this as a private citizen and having to work your way through the Cuban Customs and Immagration system could be a nightmare (I'm thinking you'll have to bribe your way in, or more importantly OUT!). Also, I would be more concerned with my safety and that of my vessel once there ( or as I'm about to try and leave) Check out the State Department travel warnings as a part of your research.

ME? I'm waiting for a more favorable political environment...Raul can't last forever. To me that would be a high risk trip as an individual boat owner in the current environment. You never know how the local officials might treat you (and your boat).
 
Last edited:
electricaldoctor said:
Thanx for the advice. #2 destination on the list is Panama.
Click to expand...

Interesting. That's a long way in a SR!! Would the stop in Cuba be for fuel?

Just googling around, there was a similar post for a delivery captain looking for a fueling stop. It was suggested Marina Hemingway west of Havana. So Key West-> Marina Hemingway->Cancun? The MH to Cancun leg is still is about a 250-300 NM run in open water.

I think the issues are still the same. As an American , can you identify and get all the appropriate paperwork/permits/permissions from both governments. Doable, but no easy. Once you do that you'll need some additional electronics and equipment on board for that kind of run to do it safely.

Man that would be an adventure if you could pull it off!!!
 
The log way around would be down through the Bahamas->Haiti->Jamaica->Cayman Islands. Still some 350+mile crossings.

That's getting into Blowboat territory!!
 
WOW! Very nice! 1100 gals , 20% fuel reserve burning 40/hr total...500+ mile range? I think you can definitely do it with that!

Just come back and see us “poor” Sea Ray owners once in a while!
 
I bet Raul will love that!
 
I was born there. My father and uncles did many trips to rescue refugees off the beaches in Havana.
When I became a teenager they let me come. We’d depart late afternoons from middle Keys and navigate until we saw the lights off the coast of Havana.
The crew would throw a 13ft Whaler over the side. I wondered why that boat had handles attached to the outside of the hull. That is until I saw that lil whaler return w a dozen people inside, waterline to the brim, and another 8-10 hanging on to those handles.

I have made many trips to Havana. I would never cruise into port as a tourist, especially as an American and in that yacht. You’re taking an unnecessary risk.

Don’t t believe the brochures... which are intended for wealthy euros and canucks.

You’re informed now. Keep in mind it’s easy to arrive at port there. Not so easy at departure.

Good luck.
 
I wouldn’t step foot in Mexico today let alone Cuba...Why?... stay safe.
I have a cheap uncle in Canada on my wife’s side... he took my wife’s aunt there for a holiday last year because it’s cheap. He said he wouldn’t go back because of the poverty, accommodations, food, government and security... but it was cheap :)
El Capitan said:
Don’t believe the brochures... which are intended for wealthy euros and canucks.

You’re informed now. Keep in mind it’s easy to arrive at port there. Not so easy at departure.
Click to expand...
 
Blueone said:
I wouldn’t step foot in Mexico today let alone Cuba...Why?... stay safe.
I have a cheap uncle in Canada on my wife’s side... he took my wife’s aunt there for a holiday last year because it’s cheap. He said he wouldn’t go back because of the poverty, accommodations, food, government and security... but it was cheap :)
Click to expand...

Never been to Cuba, but would like to check it out. That’s probably not going to happen in my lifetime though because it would have to undergo a radical change before I even considered it.
I’ve been to Mexico several times over the years but won’t even consider it these days. Too many other choices in the world to go.
 
El Capitan said:
I was born there. My father and uncles did many trips to rescue refugees off the beaches in Havana.
When I became a teenager they let me come. We’d depart late afternoons from middle Keys and navigate until we saw the lights off the coast of Havana.
The crew would throw a 13ft Whaler over the side. I wondered why that boat had handles attached to the outside of the hull. That is until I saw that lil whaler return w a dozen people inside, waterline to the brim, and another 8-10 hanging on to those handles.

I have made many trips to Havana. I would never cruise into port as a tourist, especially as an American and in that yacht. You’re taking an unnecessary risk.

Don’t t believe the brochures... which are intended for wealthy euros and canucks.

You’re informed now. Keep in mind it’s easy to arrive at port there. Not so easy at departure.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I have always been curious about Cuba. Have known a couple of people who have made the trip.

Heard that the gulf stream crossing from the Keys to Cuba can be worse than the crossing to the Bahamas.

What was your experience?

thanks
 
Great info!! Cuba would be a great cruising destination, but I'll wait for "better days".

With the way the political winds change these days, the rules could change between Key West and Cuba!!
 
Last edited:
Why in the world would you leave key West ?... I love that place
 
Blueone said:
Why in the world would you leave key West ?... I love that place
Click to expand...

To go to the Bahamas!


DSC_0452.JPG



IMG_1086.JPG


IMG_8098.JPG


IMG_8207.JPG


IMG_8461.JPG


IMG_8570.JPG


IMG_8398.JPG


IMG_8504.JPG


IMG_8613.JPG


IMG_8177.JPG


We like the Keys too, but a few days of KW is about all this lightweight can take.
We spent 2 months in the Bahamas and that wasn't enough. I can see why some of our members in Florida go over all the time.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,151
Messages
1,427,316
Members
61,060
Latest member
Danileo
Back
Top