Cuba Passage Info 2

So hello from sunny, but cold, Cuba!

So a quick update for everyone and then some more detailed notes for those heading this way...

We sailed from Long Island yesterday, finally leaving our friends Jen and Maxwell and headed South. Clarence Town was a great place to spend time - great company, good anchorage, beautiful island and lovely people - couldn't really ask for more. We sailed to Cuba with Shaka and Virage (see last posts!). After a pretty uneventful sail - other than an annoying swell and light wind making for a bit of a rolly trip (as ever) we arrived unscathed in Cuba, Frank having caught two large fish en route.... damn him.
Cant wait to see what Cuba has in store, its first impressions are of an extremely beautiful island with friendly people - although we havent met any in person yet. Lets see what tomorrow brings!

So, if you are thinking of heading here.... Well:

As above, Clarence Town is a great spot and I'd recommend it as a jump off point. Aside from good provisioning and lots to do, It gives you the possibility of a short trip to South Point (wind permitting); a stop in the Jumentos and Ragged Isles (fronts permitting - Johnston cut seems to have some good protection if you get caught) and a direct trip to either the windward passage and South Coast of Cuba, or Puerto Vita and the North. Unusually, we are combining the two and sailed to Puerto Vita and intend on sailing the South coast. More on that in later posts.

So, the passage from the Bahamas to Puerto Vita: Largely straightforward, with few hazards en route. The South of Long Island can be approached pretty close to shore if needs be, although watch for it becoming a lee shore if winds are out of the East. If there is a Northerly swell running in Exuma Sound and East of Long Island, it dies down substantially when rounding the Southerly tip of Long Island. Other than that, shape a course to clear Columbus bank by a mile or two - you pass near Cay Verde which is easily visible on radar - this course also clears Diana Bank. From Cay Verde, its a pretty straight run to PV. The total distance from Clarence is about 145NM, so a dawn departure is called for if you want maximum flexibility at the PV end (based on 5kts)

The swell picks up a bit as you approach Cuba, with some reflected swells causing a bit of discomfort for an hour or so. I wouldnt recommend a night entry to PV. Its not particularly tricky to enter, but trying to find the marina etc in the daytime is hard enough and at night could be somewhat stressful.
Enter the marked channel, to the West of the lighthouse and follow it through the bay. Once inside, the swell disappears and makes for a calm approach. When you 'happen upon' a Preferred Channel to Starboard marker (a conical Red Green Red buoy) turn 90 degrees to Stbd and follow the well marked channel. The markers are all like large witches hats and impossible to miss, although appear unlit. At what appears to be the end of this channel, the marina appears on the left. We carried about 11 - 12 feet through the last part of the channel. All other depths were much greater.

We are currently anchored outside the marina - it is fine to anchor in the channel - as the Doctor was not available to clear us in and will do so tomorrow morning, thus we may not leave the boat etc - pretty normal practice.
For info:
1. The marina answered CH16 about 9NM out, spoke good English and was very helpful. They conducted business on CH14 and answer to Puerto Vita Marina.
2. Dont go looking for this marina in Nigel Calder's book - it wasn't built then
3. If asked to anchor out (anclar)then depth surrounding the channel near the marina seem good - around 12 feet.
4. The anchorage / marina here is v well protected and with 6 feet of swell outside, was flat inside - it is also an extremely pretty spot.

Lets see what happens tomorrow when we clear in.

I'll update the non sailors amongst you when we have entered the county for real - providing I'm still allowed to use the radio.

More info hopefully tomorrow eve.

Hasta Bananas

P&S
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