+xThe following were recommend in Flying Fish 2020-2:
Julius Wilensky’s Cruising Guide to the Bay Islands of Honduras;
A Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean by Stephen Pavlidis;
Chris Parker’s Western Caribbean forecast is broadcast six days a week and covers a wide swath of the Western Caribbean from Cuba west to Mexico and Belize and south as far as Colombia – check www.mwxc.com for frequencies and schedules.
Hi George,
Below are my notes for the NW Carib from 2 seasons there (05, 06). Clearly some comments are dated. As noted, Chris Parker is still the go-to wx guy and Pavlidis was writing/ researching his guide at the time (he does a good job.).
This area was marvelous cruising grounds and we loved our time there.
Crib sheet NW Carib (last visit 2005/6)
Dick and Ginger Stevenson
s/v Alchemy,
KC2Hkw@winlink.org,
Alchemy128@aol.com Here are some notes about how we cruised the NW Caribbean.
WEATHER:
The only real wx worry concerns the cold fronts coming from the north, specifically when they arrive and how strong they are. All other wx is east and beautiful. All wx data was through Winlink where I received: 1. an email from Chris Parker each day (hard to copy him consistently well by voice and too early w/ the time change); 2. 48 and 72 hr wind and wave forecast; and 3. surface analysis. There is also wx discussion on the ssb net (see NW Caribbean web site for freq and time).
CHARTS:
All charts should be understood as merely suggestions of what you might find. Echarts are occasionally off up to 1/2 mile (check GPS datum), and, since originating from inaccurate paper charts, still merely suggestions. Getting altitude (for us we used our ratlines) was very helpful to work our way into anchorages. We set tracking on our Nobletec when going into anchorages and used the track for other transits giving us much greater confidence and less need for good visibility (allowed us to leave in AM with sun in face going really slowly).
GUIDE BOOKS:
Freya Rauscher is wonderful, but do not trust her Lat and Long, and many of her comments on facilities are dated (including the updated version). All relative bearings, sketch charts, etc., were quite reliable. Find experienced boats and sit down with their book and copy waypoints. Leave a couple of hours and give owners of the book a good bottle of wine. The waypoints are gold. The book itself falls apart quickly so if still in the States get it spiral-bound (Staples?) as this book will be in everyday use.
Nigel Calder’s book is dated, but his sketch charts are useful for the Bay Islands. May be able to get it on Amazon as they have out-of-date books.
Pavlidis has been working on a book which should be a real addition.