How long would it take to sail from Galveston Texas around South America and back to Galveston in a 27 foot long Catalina sail boat?

Answer 1

Sailed a Valiant 32 for many years, would think you might need to make it two stage trip if you go all the way to CA. Another plan if you are mainly interested in rounding the Horn - you might go through the Beagle Channel and round the Horn from the West and back to TX. Unless you layover somewhere you might have to sail during part of the hurricane season. Stop at Rio Dulce and wait would not be a bad plan I don't think. It is a lovely place to spend some time. Any case it would be a great adventure -- go for it.. olegunny

Timing is everything in life. In sailing, I can give you my personal experience in sailing from Corpus Christi, TX to South America. Then you will need another answer to fill in the gaps.

I sailed in late January with one other member on a 41-foot ketch. We left out into the Gulf of Mexico with a Northern on our heals. Winter in the Gulf is tricky with cold fronts pushing down. Summer is worse with tropical storms and hurricanes. Go in the winter months and make for the Dry Tortugas. Be very careful in the Keys and do not attempt to dock/anchor at night because it is very difficult to find the channels. Stay in deep water till morning and then visually inch your way into Ft. Jefferson. It will take you about a week to 10 days. The fishing is wonderful and you will see many other boats making the trip. A six-pack of beer will trade for many pounds of shrimp.

The Ft. Jefferson to Key West trip will take a full day. Leave early and you can make Key West by late afternoon. When anchoring off Christmas Tree across from Key West, be prepared for a very strong tidal current. You will need good arms or a motor to make it to dry land from you anchorage. Also, the Federal agencies will board your boat and inspect your boat from keel to mast. Have your paperwork ready and tell them where your guns are. I would not advise on this trip without a firearm. Do not venture close to Haiti or Cuba. Make for San Juan and then decide on island hopping or a more direct sail to Venezuela. Any repairs or boat work is very cheap in South America. Also, Tortola in the BVI's is an excellent stop for any repairs. You can anchor in the bay on the north side of St. Croix. Rum sells for about 2 dollars a fifth. If you don't drink, it is nice to have something to barging with anyway.

Be cautious about who you allow on-board. There are many stories of bad things happening to good people. Use common sense.

I would go to Port of Spain in Trinidad for fuel. Again, be careful to lock your boat. You can stay off the coast about 20 miles going south to Rio and make stops along the way. It is a long way and the season is changing to summer as you head south. If you decide to make time head out into the South Atlantic and the winds are stronger. You will have steady winds and make good time.

From Rio to Terra Del Fiego will challenge your experience. I don't know if you want to make the turn into the Pacific and head north on the western side of South America. You can make for Easter Island and then Mexico or San Diego. I would say you could make San Diego by the end of April or May. Hurricane season starts in June and I would reverse my route quickly. The Pacific side will be tamer than the Atlantic side on this schedule. I would consider to just truck my boat home from San Diego.

In any case it would be a wonderful adventure and very exciting. Plan for electrical failures and have back-up systems. Carry two GPS units, extra batteries, extra flashlights, flares, and a firearm. Leave your plans with family and friends and call in to them at various waypoints. Watch for supertankers because they will not see you or slow down.