Chez Teamvideo
The reason for deciding whether to sail to Cuba is not what you imagine | Ep. 110 - Chez Team
9 August 2026 · 29 min · Long Island, Bahamas
What this video covers
The crew of the 40-foot sailboat *Chesteam* abandoned plans to sail to Cuba from the Bahamas due to logistical constraints and the need to reach hurricane-safe waters in the southern Caribbean.10:56 Navigating from the Rugged Islands, the crew faced significant challenges in clearing customs, as the nearest port of entry and exit, Inagua, required a long, upwind passage against prevailing currents and Atlantic swells.3:40 The team determined that the bureaucratic requirement to enter and exit Cuba at the same port would restrict their ability to explore the coast legally, while moving to a different port for departure would force an inefficient, time-consuming detour against the wind.9:47
After a 40-hour passage from the Rugged Islands, the crew arrived in the Dominican Republic.14:53 The transit involved heavy salt spray and uncomfortable conditions, leading a guest crew member to depart the vessel early.16:20 The team utilized a portable diving system for shallow-water reef exploration before completing their formal exit from the Bahamas.19:16 The decision to bypass Cuba prioritized vessel safety and hurricane-season scheduling over the original itinerary.
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