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Florida to Nassau Bahamas
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Posts: 569
City/Region: Destin, Florida
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2017
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:48 am    Post subject: Florida to Nassau Bahamas Reply with quote

If all goes as planned I'm going to try and head over to Nassau (to visit someone so that has to be the destination) leaving on about 5/12/14 (weather permitting).

Any ideas on the best way to get there?

Thanks!!
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Sea Wolf



Joined: 01 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken-

There was a great thread here years ago about going to the Bahamas from Florida, of course.

Good discussion of weather windows, Gulf Stream, etc.

I'll see if I can find it.

Joe. Teeth Thumbs Up

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"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous
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DuckDogTitus



Joined: 31 Jan 2013
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City/Region: Gig Harbor
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

subscribing to this hemingwayesque adventure. I would love to see a photo log of this journey. Beer Cigar
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Posts: 569
City/Region: Destin, Florida
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2017
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

DuckDogTitus wrote:
subscribing to this hemingwayesque adventure. I would love to see a photo log of this journey. Beer Cigar


I will take a ton of photos! And there will be pretty girls!! Very Happy

And, unlike Hemingway's novels my story will not be depressing! lol
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DuckDogTitus



Joined: 31 Jan 2013
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City/Region: Gig Harbor
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Photos: Hemingway
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ken35216 wrote:
DuckDogTitus wrote:
subscribing to this hemingwayesque adventure. I would love to see a photo log of this journey. Beer Cigar


I will take a ton of photos! And there will be pretty girls!! Very Happy

And, unlike Hemingway's novels my story will not be depressing! lol


what are you talking about? in every novel he gets the girl, gets drunk, and ends up single in the end. sounds like a fairytale! lol

<kidding, ladies>
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Sea Wolf



Joined: 01 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken-

I looked back in the archives.

1. The original post was apparently more than 10 years ago which goes beyond the scope of what is still recorded. (Or it may be one of those below, I haven't had a chance to re-read them yet!)
It was a thread by CaptD.

2. Here are some later threads that have more information, some by CaptD and others, still on the same topic.

News from the Bahamas

Bahamas…….

Ches Bay CBGT: Bahamas-Bound Interest/2007?

Bahamas Anyone?

3. I haven't searched further forward, something you can do, I hope!

4. Try a PM or email to CaptD to ask him directly about your questions.
Maybe he can comment here, hopefully. I Think he bought a Ranger Tug, and went on from there.

5. More recently, there probably have been a lot of improvements in weather reporting and predicting that should make the crossing a bit more predictable and safer.
I'll be waiting to hear what others report on the topic!

6. Maybe another C-Brat or two or more would like to join you on the crossing.
It would be safer to go with a fleet of small boats.
How about a C-Brat Get Together in the Bahamas???

Good Luck!

(And fly our new pennant on the crossing if you have one!)

Joe. Teeth Thumbs Up


Last edited by Sea Wolf on Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:11 pm; edited 2 times in total
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stclairgal



Joined: 14 Feb 2013
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:08 pm    Post subject: Bahamas Reply with quote

That's my dream adventure, too. But we are in Maryland without a trailer...
I saw an interesting thread on Tugnuts. They are planning the 1st annual Bahamas Cruise in July.
http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4832
Sorry don't know how to post link!
Good luck![/url]

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journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We went from Rodriguez Key (right off Key Largo) to South Riding and Castle Rocks. This crosses the Gulph Stream at right angles, so pick a less windy day. We went in Our Journey, a 36' sailboat, so we could take some wind. Once we got behind the Great Bahamas Banks we were in 15' of smooth clear water, in the dark. We finally dropped our anchor and just spent the night waiting. Beautiful. We cruised to the Tongue of the Ocean and on to Nassau. Here's a picture of the Bahamas navigational marker at the Tongue. Only thing in sight.



Then, we went south from Nassau between fronts. You should stop at Waderick Wells Park, where they have a marine sanctuary. Great snorkeling.

Here's the complete Bahamian trip: Great Loop, Bahamas.

Boris
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
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Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When they are talking seas "3-4 feet etc" on the gulf stream I'm assuming they are spread out because of the depth of the water, right? I'm reading that 3-4 is the best time to cross but 3-4 in my shallow bay is not much fun.

Thanks Journey On... I'm reading it now!
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Pedromo



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The route you take to Nassau will depend on your departure port. I you go from Fort Lauderdale or South, plan on clearing Customs in Cat Key or Bimini, then continue East on the Bank. The water is usually calm. If you go from Palm Beach or North, plan to clear at Freeport or Walkers Key. At that point you will decide how to proceed East, I would prefer to go North of Grand Bahama to Green Turtle Key or the Abacos, and then onto Nassau. But if you just want to get to Nassau, and the weather is nice, NW Channel will be the fastest route. The distances are 180 to 200 miles regardless of what route you decide to take.
Enjoy...!!!
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AstoriaDave



Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe not, Ken. Seas are wind waves generated locally, as contrasted to swell. The former are short period, the latter long period. The good news is in deep water they will not be as steep as they are in your shallow bay. When the seas run with the Gulf Stream, they will be less steep, against, steeper. I try to angle across them if I can ... and then angle the other way, again across them, to make my goal, rather than take them at right angles. Have a safe crossing.
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
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City/Region: Destin, Florida
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pedromo wrote:
The route you take to Nassau will depend on your departure port.!


I'm open right now and open to suggestions on a departure point.
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Sunbeam



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have not crossed to The Bahamas, but I have boated elsewhere along the Gulf Stream. The main thing you want to know about it is that the current runs north. Thus, if there is any northerly component to the wind, horrible, "square" waves build up that are MUCH more uncomfortable (or potentially dangerous) than their size would suggest. Conversely, waves formed by a southerly component wind will be less problematic (because they are "with" the Gulf Stream current). So that's the main thing to watch for on that crossing (besides the weather one would always watch for, of course). Also to know there is a northerly current in planning your angles, etc.

Summer is hurricane season, but it's nice weather-wise, when there is not a hurricane (The Bahamas are subject to "Northers" in winter, so not always as "summery" as one might hope in winter time, such as it would be further south.)

In the old days I would have been reluctant to be there during hurricane season, but now weather prediction is better, and you will have a boat that can cover ground quickly, so it's a different story. And of course people live in places such as Florida year round (which is also subject to hurricanes, although there are roads leading out).

The Bahamas are on my C-Dory wish list - great place for shallow draft boat!
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
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City/Region: Destin, Florida
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Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dinghy as the life raft or separate life raft? And I will bring a sea anchor. And an EPIRB
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Foggy



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've done it a couple times.

Best route is from Miami or Ft Lauderdale to Alicetown, Bimini. Never attempt
with any hint of a stiff norther breeze as the Gulf Stream crossing will be
ferocious. Clear customs in Bimini, wait for weather to cross the Banks to Nassau
going north of Andros.

From Florida, this makes it a two day trip in fair weather. You can do it in one day
if everything goes perfectly***, depending on your hull speed, but why worry.
You don't really want to run fast over the Banks, especially the first time.

Aye.

*** You can get delayed in Bimini at Customs and Immigration. Two separate
buildings and not too close together, once you figure it out. It depends on
how many skippers are ahead of you, whether the officers are there or not
(once I had to go looking for "Sammy"), their mood and how the planets
happen to be aligned that day. Get the picture?

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If someone tells you they don't eat cake, unfriend them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.


Last edited by Foggy on Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:31 pm; edited 1 time in total
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