Florida to Nassau Bahamas
- Thread starter ken35216
- Start date
DuckDogTitus
New member
subscribing to this hemingwayesque adventure. I would love to see a photo log of this journey. :beer :cigar
DuckDogTitus
New member
ken35216":3pj0n80x said:DuckDogTitus":3pj0n80x said:
I will take a ton of photos! And there will be pretty girls!!
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>
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 :thup
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 :thup
stclairgal
New member
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]
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]
journey on
New member
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
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
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...!!!
Enjoy...!!!
AstoriaDave
New member
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.
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!
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!
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?
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?
I have only done the crossings in sailboats (26 to 62 feet) and one trawler. A C Dory is a whole lot different animal. The wave conditions depend on if there is wind against current/or wind with current. As Foggy said--if out of the North--don't go--the seas will be very steep. I would want the wind to be less than 10 knots for any crossing in the C Dory. The boat can handle it, but it will be very comfortable. The "best" time is in the summer, when there are much less chances of anything out of the North. (wind against the gulf stream).
I like the Windfinder Pro app--mostly for sailors, kite boarders and wind surfers, but have the best wind predictions (and sea state, etc) for this area. Also you want to check with Bahamas weather as well as the NOAA weather.
Always know what the weather is at your destination, as well as the origin and in route. For example the current wind is about 17 knots with gusts to 22 at Miami and only about 6 knots at Bimini…but the 17 knots out of NE would be enough to be a "no go" for me.
Another great source of information is the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club.
http://www.waterwayradio.net
The broadcast starts at 7:45 AM ET, 7268 Lower Side band. Many of the good radios will pick this up. I have one of the Grundig Yacht Boy 400's which I always carry, even if I have my ham radio aboard. (replaced by the Grundig G4000A and more recently G5. other receivers include: SONY ICF-SW7600GR:
see:http://www.swling.com/Radios.htm
As a ham, you can check in (and I would encourage joining the net for only a few bucks a year.) You will also get the "latest news" from the Bahamas. You don't have to be a ham to listen.
Are you going to trailer the boat to the launching point--and where are you gong to stow the trailer. You want a secure facility. Also you want to be sure that your boat is secured well when in the Bahamas. A lot of reports of theft. But a lot depends on where you are. Staying on the boat, you are far less likely to have a problem.
The shortest distance is West Palm to West End Grand Bahama--about 60 miles. An option is to go West Palm area to Freeport Grand Bahama (about 70 miles), and check in. That way you have your leisure to work down to Nassau, and not have a long run if you have bad weather. This also allows you to pick up fuel in case this is an issue. It is another 120 miles down to Nassau.
Garmin blue chart mobile also have wind arrows, but not the prediction.
The Gulf Stream velocity is 2.5 (rare) to 6 MPH, so that has to be taken into adjustment for your calculations of course.
I cannot comment on the check in/check out--because it has been some time, and things change a lot thru the years.
Life raft: I am one of the nuts who has never carried a life raft, except when required for offshore ocean races. I have carried a high quality hypalon dinghy with manual CO2 bottles fitted to the inflation valves and a custom made canopy for the inflatable, which lashes to the rope on the sides….a hand operated water maker, water, supplies, a really good ditch bag etc.
If there is any question--get a life raft--one of the coastal platforms is far better than nothing.
Essential--an EPIRB or at the least a Personal Locator beacon. I carry an EPRIB and each person has their own PLB, and a waterproof hand held VHF radio, to carry on their person!
Satellite phone--can be rented. I have not used one, but I have had ham radio on the boats in open water passages like this.
Sea Anchor--again, not something I have owned, but again, my voyaging has been in large sailboats, and I had what is called the Jordon Series Drogue. If you want a sea anchor, then consider the Para Tech--probably the 9 foot size would be best--but you need swivel, trip line, chain, chafing gear etc.
In summary, this is not a passage to be taken lightly. It can be very rough, or as smooth as a mill pond. It can change very rapidly. IN the summer you see PWC and even open CC going over…But it is serious water.
I like the Windfinder Pro app--mostly for sailors, kite boarders and wind surfers, but have the best wind predictions (and sea state, etc) for this area. Also you want to check with Bahamas weather as well as the NOAA weather.
Always know what the weather is at your destination, as well as the origin and in route. For example the current wind is about 17 knots with gusts to 22 at Miami and only about 6 knots at Bimini…but the 17 knots out of NE would be enough to be a "no go" for me.
Another great source of information is the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club.
http://www.waterwayradio.net
The broadcast starts at 7:45 AM ET, 7268 Lower Side band. Many of the good radios will pick this up. I have one of the Grundig Yacht Boy 400's which I always carry, even if I have my ham radio aboard. (replaced by the Grundig G4000A and more recently G5. other receivers include: SONY ICF-SW7600GR:
see:http://www.swling.com/Radios.htm
As a ham, you can check in (and I would encourage joining the net for only a few bucks a year.) You will also get the "latest news" from the Bahamas. You don't have to be a ham to listen.
Are you going to trailer the boat to the launching point--and where are you gong to stow the trailer. You want a secure facility. Also you want to be sure that your boat is secured well when in the Bahamas. A lot of reports of theft. But a lot depends on where you are. Staying on the boat, you are far less likely to have a problem.
The shortest distance is West Palm to West End Grand Bahama--about 60 miles. An option is to go West Palm area to Freeport Grand Bahama (about 70 miles), and check in. That way you have your leisure to work down to Nassau, and not have a long run if you have bad weather. This also allows you to pick up fuel in case this is an issue. It is another 120 miles down to Nassau.
Garmin blue chart mobile also have wind arrows, but not the prediction.
The Gulf Stream velocity is 2.5 (rare) to 6 MPH, so that has to be taken into adjustment for your calculations of course.
I cannot comment on the check in/check out--because it has been some time, and things change a lot thru the years.
Life raft: I am one of the nuts who has never carried a life raft, except when required for offshore ocean races. I have carried a high quality hypalon dinghy with manual CO2 bottles fitted to the inflation valves and a custom made canopy for the inflatable, which lashes to the rope on the sides….a hand operated water maker, water, supplies, a really good ditch bag etc.
If there is any question--get a life raft--one of the coastal platforms is far better than nothing.
Essential--an EPIRB or at the least a Personal Locator beacon. I carry an EPRIB and each person has their own PLB, and a waterproof hand held VHF radio, to carry on their person!
Satellite phone--can be rented. I have not used one, but I have had ham radio on the boats in open water passages like this.
Sea Anchor--again, not something I have owned, but again, my voyaging has been in large sailboats, and I had what is called the Jordon Series Drogue. If you want a sea anchor, then consider the Para Tech--probably the 9 foot size would be best--but you need swivel, trip line, chain, chafing gear etc.
In summary, this is not a passage to be taken lightly. It can be very rough, or as smooth as a mill pond. It can change very rapidly. IN the summer you see PWC and even open CC going over…But it is serious water.