Florida to Nassau Bahamas
- Thread starter ken35216
- Start date
This was posted on another forum and thought some might like to read it:
Ken, I will take a stab at answering your question. Theory and weather knowledge would say yes to your question but reality is a different story all together.
I have made dozens of crossings to Bimini from Port Everglades, this gives us a southerly run to Bimini. The GS always heads north but strong winds will whip it into a washing machine no matter which direction they are coming from.
As mentioned, any wind direction with a North in it will build the seas into huge monsters. While winds out of the S or SW are desirable, if they are blowing hard enough you will still get 3-5's and this will make for a sloppy, wet ride.
East winds will also give you a wet, sloppy ride.
A rare west wind will give you a dry ride over, but again these winds are rare.
If traveling in the fall and winter months, go after the front has passed but know that another front is heading your way in about a weeks time.
During the spring and summer months, hope for light winds. These are the most favorable times to travel.
Reality is that most of us do not have the luxury to wait out the fronts and weather systems that we are faced with. So, we have to go with the times that our vacation allows.
50+ miles absolutely sucks at 17knots and 4-6ft waves crashing over the bow. Can't tell you how many times I have been in the middle of a crap sea like this and said to myself "Never again"! Till the next time!
I guess my point is, if you have a limited time to make the trip, prep yourself and your crew, bean bags, foul weather gear (contractor bags work great), float plan, EPIRB or PLB, life jackets on deck, eye on the bilge pumps, stop every hour or so to collect thoughts and reassure the crew.
Do this and you will make it and have a great story to tell at the bar at Big Game.
Just remember...in the immortal words of Capt. Ron "If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"!
Ken, I will take a stab at answering your question. Theory and weather knowledge would say yes to your question but reality is a different story all together.
I have made dozens of crossings to Bimini from Port Everglades, this gives us a southerly run to Bimini. The GS always heads north but strong winds will whip it into a washing machine no matter which direction they are coming from.
As mentioned, any wind direction with a North in it will build the seas into huge monsters. While winds out of the S or SW are desirable, if they are blowing hard enough you will still get 3-5's and this will make for a sloppy, wet ride.
East winds will also give you a wet, sloppy ride.
A rare west wind will give you a dry ride over, but again these winds are rare.
If traveling in the fall and winter months, go after the front has passed but know that another front is heading your way in about a weeks time.
During the spring and summer months, hope for light winds. These are the most favorable times to travel.
Reality is that most of us do not have the luxury to wait out the fronts and weather systems that we are faced with. So, we have to go with the times that our vacation allows.
50+ miles absolutely sucks at 17knots and 4-6ft waves crashing over the bow. Can't tell you how many times I have been in the middle of a crap sea like this and said to myself "Never again"! Till the next time!
I guess my point is, if you have a limited time to make the trip, prep yourself and your crew, bean bags, foul weather gear (contractor bags work great), float plan, EPIRB or PLB, life jackets on deck, eye on the bilge pumps, stop every hour or so to collect thoughts and reassure the crew.
Do this and you will make it and have a great story to tell at the bar at Big Game.
Just remember...in the immortal words of Capt. Ron "If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"!
From Miami to Cat Key inlet is 44 miles. You can clear in at the marina around the corner. We use to yellow flag on across the banks to Frasier's Hog Key to clear in, and take advantage of the fresh water swimming pool at the marina.
I just got back from 2 weeks in the southern Keys and Marquessas, but next year I will be running to the Out Island Regatta in Georgetowm, Exumas. Anyone interested in the trek, keep in touch. I have been to a couple of these blowouts over the years and can't say enough about race week. A layover in Nassau and a stop to see the Allen Key iguannas would be on the schedule.
One thing I learned from my cruising days is that waiting for a weather window, no matter how long the wait, is the safest, sanest way to cross the Gulf stream. And, yes, never in a North wind.
I just got back from 2 weeks in the southern Keys and Marquessas, but next year I will be running to the Out Island Regatta in Georgetowm, Exumas. Anyone interested in the trek, keep in touch. I have been to a couple of these blowouts over the years and can't say enough about race week. A layover in Nassau and a stop to see the Allen Key iguannas would be on the schedule.
One thing I learned from my cruising days is that waiting for a weather window, no matter how long the wait, is the safest, sanest way to cross the Gulf stream. And, yes, never in a North wind.
Never made it to the Bahamas. Winds were really kicking the whole two weeks I was down there. So, I went with plan "B". Put in in Ft Lauderdale, while still thinking of the Bahamas, and headed south to get a better angle at Bimini. Spent the first night anchored next to Key Biscayne with the Miami skyline in the back ground. Beautiful.
Forecast said 15-20kt winds for the next week and 3-6 ft waves in the gulf stream so I decided to head south
Key Largo at the John Pennekamp state park was wonderful!
Marathon was relaxing as I flew my crew to the Bahamas to see my daughter. Rented a Camaro convertible and drove to Key West for dinner. I didn't move the boat for three days and read a book
Bahia Honda state park is really special.
Headed East/North to Islamorada for a couple of days.
Last night was spent in Boca Chita State Park with only two other boats on the island. I love that place! Beautiful!!!
Forecast said 15-20kt winds for the next week and 3-6 ft waves in the gulf stream so I decided to head south
Key Largo at the John Pennekamp state park was wonderful!
Marathon was relaxing as I flew my crew to the Bahamas to see my daughter. Rented a Camaro convertible and drove to Key West for dinner. I didn't move the boat for three days and read a book
Bahia Honda state park is really special.
Headed East/North to Islamorada for a couple of days.
Last night was spent in Boca Chita State Park with only two other boats on the island. I love that place! Beautiful!!!
RedRocker":3ionh2jv said:
And a new daughter. The one mentioned above is one that I kinda adopted 12+ years ago. Her father died before she was born and I've taken care of her since she was about 12. She's about to graduate college and it's been interesting, to say the least, taking care of a girl from the ages 12 to 24 :xlol