PDA

View Full Version : Florida to the Bahama's

tranquillity
09-10-2008, 12:21 PM
We are making our plans for our first trip. Could we get some suggestions as to where to set sail from in Florida and what is the best destination to shoot for in the Bahama's? How long in rough estimations is the actual passage and should we take off at night or day for the crossing?
Osiris
09-20-2008, 12:06 AM
I always cross at Miami shooting for Gun/Cat Cay in the Bahamas. It is only 45 nm across and if you can so 6-7 knots a day crossing is possible. Otherwise if you are slower than a midnight departure works to get you onto the banks in daytime. Crossing the Gulfstream between Florida and the Bahamas can be quite dangerous at night as the dozen or more mega cruise ships race north and south between their home ports and the islands. You have to stay out of their way as they are "on a schedule" and "hell-bent" to arrive on time. So I like day crossings when they are not around.
Be sure to get the Explorer Charts for the Bahamas as they are the only really up to date and quite accurate charts.
tranquillity
09-20-2008, 09:35 PM
Thank you so much. Is there any guides you can recomend for the Banhamas?
Osiris
09-24-2008, 07:03 PM
Just get the newest ones you can find. But the information - maps and local descriptions - are all contained in the paper chart packs put out by Explorer Charts.
The Quiet Assassin
03-17-2009, 11:21 PM
I usually leave from Miami having staged to the outer harbour [ Marine Stadium ] and aim for Bimini.

I wait for a good forecast and leave at 7 pm which allows for a 10 am entry to Bimini. Have a BIG SPOTLIGHT which you can shine on your mainsail and flash at the big boys to make sure they have seen you. Forget the power gives way to sail bit, get out of their way.

Please note that waiting for a good weather window can take a while 15 days + is not unusual. DO NOT LEAVE IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF ANY NORTH IN THE WIND.

This is a topic that has been discussed at length so a search of the forums will give other opinions.
billreilly
03-18-2009, 10:06 AM
Please note that waiting for a good weather window can take a while 15 days + is not unusual. DO NOT LEAVE IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF ANY NORTH IN THE WIND.

Use the following link for a weather forecast (including Gulf Stream forecast) for this passage:

http://www.passageweather.com/maps/florida/mappage.htm

I hope this helps...