Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

[Grahambda]

Hi,
Looking for feedback on any World Cat (or power cart) owners that have taken a 270DC (or similar) across open seas. Mapping out a trip to go from Key West to Cayman via Cuba ? longest open run would be around 160 miles (Southern Cuba to Cayman), total journey around 600 miles (includes origination point of FT Lauderdale down to Key West). All open water runs would be during daylight with planned overnight stops in Key West and Havana and Western tip o f Cuba. The World Cat has twin Honda 225?s, three of us on the journey (all experienced boaters but on larger mono-hulls), would take two back up GPS units, extra 150 gallon fuel bladder, Satellite Phone, extra VHF, EPERB and life raft, plus survival supplies plenty of water etc.
Has anyone had any experience over these distances and can the World Cat 270 hold up to potential 6-8ft head on seas and the Honda?s running at 30Mph for up to 10 hour stints?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

how are you going to get into Cuba. isn't travel restricted. i don't think the naval base has a Hilton.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

Ya tha last I heard Americans weren't really welcomed in Cuba and I kinda doubt you are gonna just roll up to the base there either.

I would really look into this.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

The boat will make it..but you wont see the Caymans,Cuba frowns on Americans entering there waters..and due to the travel restrictions..The State Department wont help....and if you bypass Cuba, give it a WIDE berth,i dont think twin 225 will outrun a gunboat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

i do know the guys that have boats at Gitmo, have restricted waters, and are very careful to stay out of Cuban waters. we have some members that are or were stationed at Gitmo.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

As others have said, I don't think you can legally do it. I had friends who used to fly to Montreal and then down to Cuba but stopped after receiving a nice nasty gram from the State Department quoting fines... Here is an older article. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQK/is_3_9/ai_n6040468

 

[Grahambda]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

Thanks but we may have it covered, 2 Brits and 1 Canadian with no hint of a US Passport, but lots of US entry stamps. We just have to make sure we get the boat registered under Cayman and not the US by the time we get to Havana.

Cuba is fine just don't plan to eat too much - very skinny chickens lots of rice and beans. They do welcome boaters as they need to tourist $$$

So assuming we can get in and out of Cuba without having the boat confiscated back to the original question will the boat/engines handle the crossing?

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

i wonder if you went for it....

 

[biggtuna]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

no reply yet. must be stuck in cuba!! hahah and he prolly aint smokin the cuban cigars

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

Probably didn't even get close before they got stopped. Don't really get why people don't understand that the U.S. does not allow travel from the U.S. to Cuba. It doesn't matter who you are or what paperwork you have that you think will trump the law.

Maybe their in Gitmo like Harold and Kumar!

 

[oops!]

Re: Florida to Cayman via Cuba in a 270 World Cat

na.......the prob wasent with paprework.....it was with the crew.....


the brits would be ok.......

but if the canuck didnt have a hockey stick taped to the 225's as a tiller he was lost.....