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"!