Gulfstrean Sailing for Novices

[capta]

Over and over again I see posts from those new to sailing (and some not so new) asking about crossing the Gulfstream. "How big a boat should I have?", "what's the best boat?" or similar.
I've crossed the stream many times and even had a job which required me to stand-by a larger vessel doing government work while she was anchored in the stream (in case someone fell overboard), for days at a time, whatever the weather. One eighty footer I crossed on fell possibly 30 feet into a hole when the stream just took away our water and left us in mid-air!
On a perfect day the current is a serious factor to consider in your plans, but at other times the stream can be deadly.
I ran across this and thought it might put the Gulfstream in better perspective for those who feel the personal experiences of others could be tainted by the passage of time or some exaggeration.
http://www.oceannavigator.com/May-June-2013/Earlier-danger-season-in-the-Gulf-Stream/

 

[justsomeguy]

http://www.oceannavigator.com/

Thanks for the new bookmark!

 

[shemandr]

The ICU sounds better and better.
When I first read this post I thought "Well crossing in a 900 foot cruise ship wasn't so bad." Then I read the article detailing the rogue waves hitting the Norwegian Dawn.
Imagine those waves hitting a sailing yacht.

 

[RichH]

........ Imagine those waves hitting a sailing yacht.

Imagine those waves breaking and falling down onto a little boat, the big cockpit being totally filled with water and the stern of the boat struggling to stay on top of the water because of the sudden 'heavy load' in the cockpit .... aint 'fun'; and, the reason 'blue water' boats are built 'extra strong'.

 

[Ross]

One of the reasons to build cockpits rather small with large drains.

 

[Waiting for Saturday]

While you move east-west on your compass heading, your GPS will show a heading moving north, from the Gulf Stream. Start south of where you want to end up.

 

[capta]

While you move east-west on your compass heading, your GPS will show a heading moving north, from the Gulf Stream. Start south of where you want to end up.

For the average sailboat you should plan on an average of 2.5 knots of northerly current for each hour you expect to spend on a crossing from Fla to the Bahamas or the other way. This can vary greatly; on one overnight trip I had no current at all and ended up in Miami Beach when headed from Bimini to Lauderdale (before GPS), to 8 knots one day headed to WPB! If you do not understand cross track error, set and drift, you should not attempt the crossing.
If the wind does swing north, there is no direction that is better. In other words, if you feel that things are getting a bit hairy, turning around will not change anything. You should continue on if you are 1/2 way or more, or turn back if not, but it will not be any easier either way. Best not to try a crossing if there is any possibility of a northerly, no matter how experienced you might be sailing in other areas.
Fishing in the stream is excellent however, so get out your gear and catch a nice dolphin or tuna for dinner!

 

[Sailm8]

Just had my first taste of the gulfstream 2 weeks ago. The plan was to sail close along the coast from Ft Lauderdale to Government cut in Miami. While in the ship channel going out we were approached by a Navy tender who told us we had to go at least 3 miles out due to the coastal area being closed for Navy exercises (submarine). It was a nice day with wind out of the North but we had no idea how close the stream was. By the time we got to the Haulover Cut the waves were the biggest we had ever been in. When the other boast would go into the trough they would completely disappear. We would surf down the waves at over 7 knots. It was intimidating and the wind was clocking around forcing us further and further out to sea. I was not ready to jibe in those conditions so we decided to take in our sails and motor closer to shore. Any criticism of furling mains evaporated as mine rolled in flawlessly preventing a trip to the mast.

Close in shore around the 30 foot depth line all was calm (relatively). When we made Government cut we thought all was well until the Coast Gruard came roaring up sierns blaring and 50cal trained on us. Seems the cut was closed due to higher security levels. We turned around and went a different route.

I cannot imagine crossing with a North wind under any circumstances.