For those of you in Georgetown/Turks & Caicos thinking of sailing direct on the i-65 route to BVI instead of choosing the well tested and trusted over many years, Bruce van Sant’s “Thornless Path” route aka by some newcomers as the “Thorny Path” (Bruce actually lives really close to us!), thus missing out on what our beautiful, friendly and affordable country has to offer, then here’s a private message to us from a long-term international delivery captain client of ours for many years with no doubt 350K-400k nm under the keel who sadly passed away suddenly in 2024 who explained to us and others, the two routes.

“Hi there! The number of people waiting for a “Weather Window” in George Town hasn’t changed over the years! I would say that trying to take the i-65 route from that far South is not a good idea! They will be bashing into Trade Winds and Equatorial current so they mustn’t forget to make sure their engines are running 100% and take on lots of extra fuel to make headway out into the deep Atlantic and really, that route works for leaving the East Coast from say Savannah northwards but from Southern Florida and lower, you have really missed the opportunity. Rather drop down to the Dominican Republic North coast and “coast hop” using the advice of Bruce Van Sant’s book “The Thornless Path” for cruisers wishing to take things slower and safer plus follow Chris Parkers advice on weather and both will see you safely across the Mona Passage and further South too”.
Please note: For any of you arriving from Puerto Rico, Samana etc. or heading here from the North, please feel free to use our Tel./whatsapp numbers as a contact if you need assistance while under passage in English or Spanish: + 1 (809) 660-7660, + 1 (809) 516-6533 or + 1 (829) 926-9392 and to make a booking with Ocean World Marina on their 12ft controlled depth marina with fixed strong concrete docks, so fenders and snubbers plus chafe guards, then please use this link Ocean World Marina – Full service boat yard and marina in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and upon entry, you can go alongside on the fuel dock to wait for the dockmaster to guide you to a suitable marina slip.
