In my last post, I documented a bit of our second crossing. Apr 22, 2015 - Well, we did it. We said our goodbyes to our friend and dropped her off at the nearby restaurant where she caught an Uber back to Coconut Grove. January 15, 2019 / FloatsOurBoat. If you want to sail to the Virgin Islands and beyond this season, say so. Accordingly, we researched boats that would be capable of the venture. Gulf Stream Crossing: Day 2. Just outside of No Name Harbor, near the tip of Key Biscayne, we had anchored the night before. The following day was steaming hot and we struggled to keep cool. As I start to write this, we are waiting in Nassau for a boat part. We took a small jog around an 8.2 foot shallow, but in hindsight, this was probably not necessary. The Gulf Stream is a warm swift Atlantic current that runs from South, originating in the Gulf of Mexico, to North. In the past, charter clients aiming to avoid an extended Gulf Stream crossing had to fly to Nassau, Bahamas, and either meet their charter yacht there or take a regional flight to a smaller airport in one of the out-islands. Short of having dead calm seas, and thus no wind for sailing, I don’t think we could have had a smoother trip. It’s only a little over 50 miles, and there are usually several boats that make the trip together. Our very last overnight sail. Sailed our boat to the Bahamas. … Posted: Feb19,2019 | Modified: February 19, 2019 | by Dean Massey. The ant might well have wanted to make a direct crossing; but, inevitably during its transit, it will be taken beyond its target. It all depends on your planning, preparation and, above all, patience for the right weather window. This is "Gulf Stream Crossing to Bahamas Turf to Surf Sailing" by Tasha Hacker (Turf to Surf) on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people… The actual crossing to the edge of the banks was about 130 miles and it took about 15 hours. After a night in marine stadium we moved the boat to anchor outside of No Name Harbor, where we planned to wait for our weather window to cross the Gulf Stream. Crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas After a couple weeks in Marathon we were itching to go sailing. Updated July 17, 2018. If there’s an east wind, we can’t sail. There are lots of “old timers” who love taking newbees across and showing them the “right” way to do it. Crossing the Gulfstream the 2nd Time. I consider crossing the Gulf Stream something to get over with so we can enjoy the Bahamas, not really a pleasant day of sailing for its own sake. It was also going to be one of our longest offshore crossings. Dec 23, 2018 - January 19, 2017 - Ricochet, a Gemini 3400 catamaran, crosses the Gulf Stream from Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas. Fortunately we aren’t traveling with any deadlines or time constraints, which allows us to pick the perfect weather window for crossing the Gulf Stream. John & Jane. But the stream is only 45 nm off St. Augustine and then about 50 to cross it so a 24 forecast gets you to the other side. Bahamas Expedition—Crossing the Gulf Stream. The first place we can check in is West End, we’d have to leave about 2am for that. I just recently heard that “cruising is just doing maintenance and repairs in a warmer climate”. We’ve been waiting for a weather window for our Gulf Stream crossing to the Bahamas. The real dangers in crossing the Gulf Stream aren't the rough sea conditions that prevail when there is bad weather, they are the real day to day man-made menaces. But after listening to Chris Parker’s marine weather forecast on the short wave radio at 6:30 … Boat clean, laundry done, last trip to the grocery store complete. One thing that living on a boat is famous for: inability to plan. (There will be a video, too!) Of course crossing the stream needs to have a good weather window. While many small boaters are intimidated by large expanses of open water, crossing the Gulf Stream is easy and safe as long as you are properly prepared. After our pit-crew efficient 15-hour stop in Boot Key Harbor, we were on the move again. When we decided to sell the ranch and buy a boat, the whole plan was to visit the Bahamas on the boat. Isn’t that dangerous? Crossing to the Bahamas . It’s not the same for everyone but we’ve done this a time or two now to know what we need to accomplish for a successful trip and know what we want to have along for the voyage. Another option has just emerged, and Robertson is enthusiastically recommending it to clients. Actually, the 12-hour trip over to Bimini, Bahamas is pretty simple. So we need a south or west wind, and low swell. This is a really important time to SAIL YOUR OWN BOAT. 3/22/2018 2 Comments How we sailed across the Gulf Stream—with Kids! Off the east coast of Florida it flows … We take a nice weather window shortly after arriving in Key Biscayne to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. Strong current from the Gulf Stream can wreak havoc on your navigation, and weather from the Atlantic can seemingly come out of nowhere. Basically it is like a giant river of warm water in the sea, averaging about 60 miles wide and 2500-4000 feet deep. If you’re planning to make the crossing, make sure that you prepare your gear by following some helpful tips from our friends at BoatUS. Crossing the Gulf Stream to The Bahamas …. We were ready to go! We sailed a comfortable crossing under a first reef. Crossing the Gulf Stream! This is "Crossing the Gulf Stream to Bahamas at dawn." By . 3 days should get you to the Little Bahamas Bank. September 25, 2019. Soon after New Years, we reluctantly pulled ourselves away from the pleasures of Key West and headed north along the Florida Keys. It was all beam winds (and beam waves & swells) at about 15 knots. There are lots of ways across the Gulf Stream and lots of ways not to do it. We still hadn’t caught any fish, but on the upside we had entered the Gulf Stream! I'd go in that way to avoid any poor weather trouble getting through one of the passages. Clothing became optional at this point and Nick resorted to dousing himself in seawater every ten minutes. Certain appealing models were eliminated because of concerns about whether they could handle crossing the dreaded Gulf Stream. Crossing the Gulf Stream from Florida is not to be underestimated. Because it’s a significant current, if the wind has any northern component, it kicks up a rough swell. The … We left the Miami channel heading southeast with a COG of about 135 deg. Feb 21, 2019 - How to prepare for a cruising trip to the Bahamas - Provisioning - Our experience of the Gulf Stream crossing - Checking in to the Bahamas in Bimini. As a passionate retired science teacher, the Gulf Stream is one of the natural wonders of the world. Gulf Stream Crossing to the Bahamas Art Deco Festival at South Beach, Miami by Joe Boulay: Decisions are made, unmade, questioned, pondered, remade and after a time settled upon when staging for an upcoming Gulf Stream crossing. What makes a window to cross the Gulf Stream Crossing the Gulf Stream from Florida. by Valleycat on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Crossing the Gulf Stream. Favorable wind and waves were not predicted for the following week, however there was a two day window of reasonably calm seas and no wind. PREPARATION The first step toward accomplishing any goal is to make the mental commitment to do it. Attempt #2. To assist in our planning for a trip over to the Bahamas, we’ve decided to write out the ways in which we outfit our sailboat for crossing the Gulf Stream and what we do to prepare for visiting a new country. Crossing the Gulf Stream to The Bahamas….. Attempt #1. You’re going to be heading offshore and crossing the Gulf Stream to get to the Bahamas. Mother Nature is a tough teacher: She usually gives the test before the lesson. Marinas aren't what boats are built for. Our trip was complete with a pod of pilot whales, lots of dolphin, a few close cargo and cruise ships, and our slowest sailing speed to date! Tips for Crossing the Gulf Stream A sailor recalls tips for crossing the gulf stream and its effects on his route. January 15, 2019 / FloatsOurBoat. Our crossing of the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas Bank is shown below. While crossing the Gulf Stream (that wicked current that rips up the east coast) was definitely one of our biggest obstacles in getting to the Bahamas, and we approached it with a healthy fear, we were thrilled to make it safely across when we checked into West End and realized we had just done it. Sailboat Crossing the Gulf Stream to Bahamas January 19, 2017 - Ricochet, a Gemini 3400 catamaran, crosses the Gulf Stream from Miami, FL to Bimini, Bahamas. It provides a better angle for crossing the Gulf Stream’s strong current than Fort Lauderdale farther north, while to the south the Florida Keys curve away to the southwest, which only adds distance to the transit. All the work and prep and planning and we had done it. After that it's just like any other blue water passage. Others were considered even… The Bahamas Journals – Chapter 1: The Gulf Stream Crossing, The Flats and Nassau. Crossing the Gulf Stream can be as easy as a day trip on Long Island Sound or Chesapeake Bay, but it can also be a challenging undertaking that can have unfortunate consequences. But crossing the Gulf Stream depends on weather, so you wait whether you like it or not. Crossing the Gulf Stream - Bahamas Bound! Crossing the gulf stream is not a joke, and you need to be well-rested, alert, and sharp. WATERWAYGUIDE.COM BAHAMAS 2015 39 W The Gulf Stream Planning to Cross the Gulf Stream Crossing the Gulf Stream in any kind of vessel can best be compared to the progress of an ant trying to traverse an airport’s moving walkway. Crossing the Gulf Stream - Keys to Cuba. Um, that last little tidbit is my least favorite. We didn’t even turn on the engine until we were half way across the stream. How to prepare for a cruising trip to the Bahamas – Provisioning – What should you take with you – The best weather and strategies for the Gulf Stream crossing – Our experience of the Gulf Stream crossing – Arrival to Bimini – How to check in to the Bahamas. Because of all that, we were being particularly careful watching for the perfect weather window to make the jump. For those who have been following this journey, we finally made it to the Bahamas. The Gulf Stream current runs from South to North and the prevailing winds during the winter come from the Northeast creating steep, choppy waves with a short interval. There are multiple boat ramps, marinas, hotels, and parking options to choose from when going to the Bahamas, after doing our research, this is the ones we choose and recommend. That’s ok by me. Anchor raised, we headed north, planning to leave the Hawk Channel at Angelfish Cut and aim our bow for Bimini. on . Date Posted: 2016-03-10 Source: Waterway Guide Cuba Bound . 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