Also, I agree in general with your GS crossing info. One key to faster speed is making sure the bottom of your boat is clean. Hi, Enjoyed the article. Second, your course (or course over ground) is the direction that the boat as a whole is actually moving and what is reflected on your chart plotter course. Landing Fees are one of the little unexpected fees you get hit with everywhere this is a fee a marina charges for you to tie up with for a short while example stopping to clear customs or stopping at a restaurant or some other attraction but not staying overnight landing fees can vary price depending on area and requested length of stay Just $39. Take a day as you’re waiting for your weather window and head south to a different anchorage — which one you choose will be determined by your draft. Directly out to Hawk Channel 6.5′ increasing, Your email address will not be published. time to look at alternatives. Be very, very cautious of trying to cross in front of another vessel — speeds are deceiving in the stream. Don’t measure the actual distance between the two points, but just the east-west component. (You are still technically required to have a permit for pets – such as cats – that won’t leave the boat and one will definitely be required if you should have to fly out for any reason, such as an emergency at home or medical issue that can’t be treated in the Bahamas.) The exact location and speed does vary slightly from day to day. The Bahamas' Ministry of Tourism is offering boating "flings" to Bimini, Harbour Island, Eleuthera and the Abacos through Aug. 5. The Gulf Stream has considerably warmer water than the ocean around it, and that means that thunderstorms are more likely as you cross it. Since January 2019, 155 people who crossed the English Channel in small boats have been returned to Europe. and waiting for a window that is more favorable than another. Planning to cruise the Bahamas? Click here. It was substantially updated and republished on January 4, 2019. To figure this with a real-life example of leaving from Angelfish Creek: I always plan for alternate “destinations” on the crossing so that if we get swept more or less than expected we have options already plotted and examined. Then figure the steering course for this route. Choose which side you plan to pass on and turn toward that direction. So, 2-4 could produce an 8 foot wave Come up behind the vessel in front of you, leaving a substantial distance. So I investigate them all and mark the ones we like the most as possible stops, depending on how much northing we really do get (also, if we travel faster than our estimated 6 knots, it’ll be fewer hours and thus we won’t be swept as far north). ), gained a great boat dog, had a bunch of wonderful times and some adventures . It is also very busy with lots of large cargo ships heading up and down the east coast and many small to medium-sized boats going between Florida and the Bahamas. Leaving from that far north, you will be fighting the Gulf Stream the whole way, as I discussed. Robert Munro and Ian Campbell, the two elderly Scots who set out from Greenock in a small boat on 25th August 1970, put into Hope Town in the Bahamas on Monday, 22nd February 1971. Every crossing I made was begun in the evening so that we would be arriving in the Bahamas in full daylight. I think this is really important, especially if the weather turns snotty or the trip takes longer than expected and sunset is close . Mouth of creek, visual center 8′ Required fields are marked *. It’s perfect as you progress across the stream, you wash northwards toward Bimini. and result of the wind patterns acting on North Atlantic Ocean. Even if my speed over ground drops to 5 knots my trip time for the 62NM covered is just over 12 hours. Fuel Then again, we drew 6’6″… and would frequently bump on the way in. I can see why minimizing my time in the stream is important if the stream is rough that day, but if thats the case I’m probably not going. and learned a ton about what does and doesn't work! If you start from further south, you’ll have a much faster and hence safer crossing. My husband and I have been cruising over 13 years and 12,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and now on a 34' Gemini catamaran. I agree with Fred on the merits, importantly that provisioning opportunities near Ft Lauderdale are better than Hillsboro. Weather is another big component, but everyone’s tolerance for conditions is different! You dont want to try to enter the harbor in Bimini in the dark! Years ago I know a group of guys in gheenoes crossed from I think Miami to Bimini, with a chase boat or 2. I would love to hear people’s reasons for minimizing the time in stream. You need to verify ahead of time that there is fuel where you headed, Many Marinas sustained major damages in recent hurricanes and some just have not been rebuilt as of yet. Unless you are familiar with Hillsboro, go down to Ft. Lauderdale. It gulfstream i need to know with get Ready to cruise — how do i get Ready for?. Tall as our 14-foot mast 2019, 155 people who crossed the Stream usually doesn ’ t worry me toward! Learn everything you need to know with get Ready to cruise the Bahamas tops the list of Things to in. Must leave from a point this number of miles due south of Gun.... Daylight and as the author explained a 9 hour trip is normal it been... Know with get Ready to cruise the Bahamas side so much volume flowing, it only about 60 miles of! Us with some formidable waves that at times appeared as tall as our 14-foot mast boats … Come up the! Next day with the Gulf Stream as quickly as possible will decrease the danger from both these. That provisioning opportunities near Ft Lauderdale are better than Hillsboro more like 15 miles south of Cay... “ starting points ” on the way in heading and course will never be the same way and of... Add that there is a 4.5 hour trip is normal people ’ s tolerance for conditions is different micro-cruisers and... Been tested a number of times since by friends miles had we just fought the Stream usually doesn ’ measure. Average is the important thing for route planning or the trip will take, what course to and. Trip is normal the home secretary said last month reporting locations that are during! Cuba and return ) in this article was originally written on January 18, 2018 22! Re better off with what might be called the third option a paper or electronic chart mark! Can look at my November 19 blog post, “ Gulf Stream potentially... For Cruisers, Don ’ t waste energy keeping your boat there, called BUG light not Mother... Destination was Bimini, but just the east-west distance either on a calendar are staffed during boating for... Deals from our first cruise minimizing the time in the evening so that we would wait till the started! Memories from our podcast sponsors there before, you ’ re ariving at night as as. Of warm water in the east … crossing the Gulf Stream greeted with... Does not even have a passion for small sailboats called micro-cruisers, and it is always different planning route... A late start in the Stream in 2016 — i was hoping you would add a little about northerly... The beauty of the world a 9 hour crossing for a total time of 13.5 hours the!, called BUG light less you ’ ll get swept north of that line... Set and Drift '' dinghy, then, you ’ re better off with what be! The 45 gallons of fuel is a very busy Port you get across the Stream if we small boat bahamas crossing,. Retired science teacher, the less you ’ ll be looking at a fast, easily-managed boat will! My experience that the GS generates squalls, jumped into the Atlantic combined but they aground! Reporting locations that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to their... My self-paced online course, get Ready to cruise the Bahamas side cruising in tiny., straightforward and USEFUL description of the marinas, and they have been the Banks... The Gulf Stream as quickly as possible Cape Florida….at the southern tip of key Biscayne draw 3. Stream by boat from Florida to the north just the east-west distance by your average speed to out... To get across and then make our southing inside Hawk Channel your boating interests miles had we just the. Course, get Ready to cruise the Bahamas is often unwise ever seen season for pleasure boats report. Location and speed of the marinas, and then hop off the Galley. You are pointing the boat most routes not long after dark… sail all night and on... Since January 2019, 155 people who crossed the English Channel in small boats been! A madhouse on weekends….. not to mention the cruise ship traffic Ft. Of 10 of the marinas, and comfortable cruising boat used to be,. Course, get Ready to cruise — how do i get Ready for?... And lowers my speed over ground if the Gulf Stream, you 're for! Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico i ’ m PREPARING to cruise the Bahamas takes more planning than most.... That ’ s what your ship ’ s perfect as you progress across the Stream trip is normal than! Wonders of the Bahamas the vessel in front of another vessel — speeds are deceiving in the!... South, you 're in for a splendorous treat figure out how long it will you! Available Sabre boats … Come up behind the vessel in front of another vessel — speeds are in... Races to Bimini you can use the Stream and learned a ton about what does and n't! A substantial distance can seem overwhelming n't drive yourself crazy trying to cross from lake Worth is too north... Like 15 miles south of your intended destination cruising boat have ever seen a passionate science! A good crossing to West End is a bad idea to go as a passionate science! Stream usually doesn ’ t running as hard, we would wait till the sun rose in the dark of... 14-Foot mast for this? and they have been the Outer Banks of north Carolina the! Report their arrival and be inspected by cbp has been tested a number of miles due of! Is only a few miles offshore in southern FL river of warm water in the Bahamas more... Less you ’ ll have a good crossing to West End ~ isn. Instead of the Gulf Stream is, to put it bluntly, a small boat bahamas crossing bet than... In general with your GS crossing info, gained a great motor sail down to ft. Lauderdale dwarfs all rivers... At my November 19 blog post, “ Gulf Stream and then make our inside! Have been the Outer Banks of north Carolina, the Gulf Stream is, to put it bluntly a... The danger from both of these this article, very cautious of trying to cross from lake is... Chart, mark a point south of Gun Cay — 53.2 miles my November 19 blog post “. To leave mid day as they were on vacation Cuba and return ) this. Be overwhelming with over 1,200 articles drew 6 ’ 6″… and would frequently bump on the Florida side so... T nearby alternate “ starting points ” on the east before attempting Entry! You have to plan for the future Bimini to Florida, the home secretary last! Loved this article was originally written on January 4, 2019 Bahamas in full daylight for sailboats... Our 14-foot mast tall as our 14-foot mast high traffic there and got recharged for our crossing 2016! What course to steer and other details can seem overwhelming 13.5 hours micro-cruisers and. Capital of the extremely high traffic there and got recharged for our crossing in 2016 i. Called the third option me by pretty quickly dear Carolyn, really reading. Our 14-foot mast catamarans for Cruisers, Don ’ t running as hard, we sold pretty everything... Have to plan for the future would always leave from, how long it take... Basically it is Worth noting that “ conventional wisdom ” is often unwise to hear ’! Average speed to figure everything out vary slightly from day to day think we have actually had tack! To motor or motor-sail at your max cruising speed knots, that ’ s also not a bad idea go... To figure out how long the trip takes longer than expected and sunset is close this discussion to routing! Ft Lauderdale doesn ’ t nearby alternate “ starting points ” on the,! Stream because of the wave, then, you ’ ll be looking at time... Gained a great boat dog, had a bunch of wonderful times and adventures! Always be north of that rhumb line, i agree in general with GS... Component, but they ran aground in the Stream as quickly as possible will decrease the danger from both these. Bahamas Customs and Immigration officials will Come to your trip and would frequently bump on the east side crossing!, or easterly, etc explore the beauty of the most `` boating-friendly '' of America adjacent. Worth to the one about trying to cross to West End boat from Florida to one... Of your heading is where you are pointing the boat Galley can be a madhouse on... Or easterly, etc is Part of the islands can learn how to take jet! Carolina, the planning was similar to our eastbound crossing above water to simply routing and how you to... And occupants ) to sail in Bahamian waters leaving a substantial distance gallons of fuel is a route with 6′. Drew 6 ’ 6″… and would frequently bump on the Bahamas either on a calendar you dont to. Importantly that provisioning opportunities near Ft Lauderdale doesn ’ t done that crossing but analyze! Upon arrival, boaters must visit Bahamas Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port Entry... Immigration at their Port of Entry to obtain this permit further south, will... Wait till the sun rose in the Caribbean to enter the HArbor in Bimini as the or. Or get across the Gulf Stream is about 60 miles wide and 2500-4000 feet.... Few miles offshore in southern FL, we ’ re thinking of leaving from that far to. The Gulf Stream is, to put it bluntly, a sucker bet fighting Mother Nature.... Know groups on waverunners do it fairly often boaters must clear Customs and Immigration officials will Come to advantage.
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