We are hoping to take our boat , a Moody 38cc to the Caribbean next autumn, and then leave the boat there as our winter escape for a number of years, leaving the boat ashore somewhere during the hurricane season . However it seems that the costss of insurance have gone up significantly after the hurricanes of recent years. Can anyone suggest a good place to leave a bost that is economical both in terms of yard costs and what underwriters want?

Any advice and experience gratefully received!

Chris Marchant

Hi Chris,

I don't talk with firsthand experience, but it seems most folk (not all) seem to favor Grenada and Trinidad - which are considered out of the hurricane belt I believe. The benefit to my mind of being staged in Grenada, is that you'd be closer to the other windward islands for your winter cruising and I think people had good things to say about yards like Clarke Court...

The climate is pretty harsh in the summer - so you may want to consider making special arrangements to protect the boat from the tropical sun during the layup period.

Since we are full time liveaboards, we decided to move ourselves out of the Caribbean entirely for the summer and headed to New England.

Insurance companies certainly do seem to be calling the shots these days :-(

Good luck with it.

Bill Balme