Planning a trip to the Bahamas for Late April/Early May. Is two weeks long enough? We will be leaving from Marathon in the FL Keys. We'd like to get up and around the Abacos. Since we've not been there before, we're wondering if the 5 or 6 days we'll actually have there will be worth the trip.
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Tom Pfleeger
Just charter in the Abacos.
Two weeks sailing the sea of Abaco and visiting the cays and main island is just about right. You also won't have to worry about about a weather window for crossing the stream.
Two weeks sailing the sea of Abaco and visiting the cays and main island is just about right. You also won't have to worry about about a weather window for crossing the stream.
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Brian C.
Maybe not
We did it last year. We got a good weather window and shot over to West End (8.5 hours from Lake Worth Inlet) and then to Great Sale and anchored out. From there we easily made Green Turtle. So, in 3 days we were in the Abacos with plenty of time to spare. We did face the possibility that the weather would turn sour and we may be delayed in getting the boat back in time, but there are quite a few commuter flights from over there.... We are going to try and leave from the Keys to the Exumas in late April... Maybe we will see ya! Brian C. S/V CREW RESt
We did it last year. We got a good weather window and shot over to West End (8.5 hours from Lake Worth Inlet) and then to Great Sale and anchored out. From there we easily made Green Turtle. So, in 3 days we were in the Abacos with plenty of time to spare. We did face the possibility that the weather would turn sour and we may be delayed in getting the boat back in time, but there are quite a few commuter flights from over there.... We are going to try and leave from the Keys to the Exumas in late April... Maybe we will see ya! Brian C. S/V CREW RESt
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Dick
NO!!!
Two weeks is not nearly enough time for a save, enjoyable, relaxing trip to the Bahamas. You can usually expect one strong cold front a week which will make you hunker down for a while. Three months was not nearly long enough for us.
Two weeks is not nearly enough time for a save, enjoyable, relaxing trip to the Bahamas. You can usually expect one strong cold front a week which will make you hunker down for a while. Three months was not nearly long enough for us.
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Paul Bednarzyk
YES
From where you are starting, the trip is very doable, though at the end of two weeks you will be wishing for more. Still, I feel the trip would be worth it. Just do it! Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
From where you are starting, the trip is very doable, though at the end of two weeks you will be wishing for more. Still, I feel the trip would be worth it. Just do it! Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
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Robert Pancza
Bahamas
Bill, from our home port in Marathon, you can either shoot out directly into the Gulf stream for a very long sail directly to Bimini, or you can sail up to Rodriguez Key for a semi-overnight and then leave very early to get to Bimini with good light for the tricky entrance to the harbor. Either way, the Gulf stream will help you along. Once in Bimini, another long sail will get you to the western end of the Abacos chain. Coming back is realistically a two-day sail from Bimini because you'll be fighting the Gulf stream, so you won't want to sail directly from Bimini to Marathon. Instead, you'll probably want to sail a course to somewhere in the upper keys and then cruise down the coast the next day. So that's three or four days roundtrip from Bimini to Marathon. As we know, the weather is about the best at that time of the year, and cold fronts are pretty rare creatures during that season, so chances are that you'll be able to cross when you want. If you want to hit the entire length of the Abacos, you'll be moving at a good pace. But if you only do the western end, you'll have an intro to the area, an almost-guaranteed good time, and incentive to return again asap to do the parts you missed. By the way, we're planning to leave during the second half of April to head for the Exumas. Maybe we can all hook up at some point. Brian, from where are you planning to leave?
Bill, from our home port in Marathon, you can either shoot out directly into the Gulf stream for a very long sail directly to Bimini, or you can sail up to Rodriguez Key for a semi-overnight and then leave very early to get to Bimini with good light for the tricky entrance to the harbor. Either way, the Gulf stream will help you along. Once in Bimini, another long sail will get you to the western end of the Abacos chain. Coming back is realistically a two-day sail from Bimini because you'll be fighting the Gulf stream, so you won't want to sail directly from Bimini to Marathon. Instead, you'll probably want to sail a course to somewhere in the upper keys and then cruise down the coast the next day. So that's three or four days roundtrip from Bimini to Marathon. As we know, the weather is about the best at that time of the year, and cold fronts are pretty rare creatures during that season, so chances are that you'll be able to cross when you want. If you want to hit the entire length of the Abacos, you'll be moving at a good pace. But if you only do the western end, you'll have an intro to the area, an almost-guaranteed good time, and incentive to return again asap to do the parts you missed. By the way, we're planning to leave during the second half of April to head for the Exumas. Maybe we can all hook up at some point. Brian, from where are you planning to leave?
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steven f.
think back
Just a quick note about last year. Remember the honkin' NE winds from April nearly straight through to late May? A calm day was NE winds at 25 knots.... Weather isn't always so cooperative in spring. Good luck and have fun wherever you end up. Remember, you could be working instead of sailing.
Just a quick note about last year. Remember the honkin' NE winds from April nearly straight through to late May? A calm day was NE winds at 25 knots.... Weather isn't always so cooperative in spring. Good luck and have fun wherever you end up. Remember, you could be working instead of sailing.
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Jim Ewing
Don't try and do it all
I've done two trips to the Abacos so far. The first we left from Ft. Lauderdale and the second from Lake Worth. Each was about two weeks long. The first in April cost 5 days of bad weather. Last year we went in June because our May weather window never opened. It was notable because of the number of BIG T-storms and waterspouts (we lost count at about 15). If you're time limited you may get a better trip by staying on the west side in the Biminis or Berrys rather than try to scream through the Abacos. There's an awful lot to see and do and you may feel cheated with only a few days to do it. Have a great trip either way. Jim h37.5 "Prospect"
I've done two trips to the Abacos so far. The first we left from Ft. Lauderdale and the second from Lake Worth. Each was about two weeks long. The first in April cost 5 days of bad weather. Last year we went in June because our May weather window never opened. It was notable because of the number of BIG T-storms and waterspouts (we lost count at about 15). If you're time limited you may get a better trip by staying on the west side in the Biminis or Berrys rather than try to scream through the Abacos. There's an awful lot to see and do and you may feel cheated with only a few days to do it. Have a great trip either way. Jim h37.5 "Prospect"
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Peter C.
Suggest An Alternative!
With your time limit, an enjoyable 2 week (or less) cruise could be Marathon to Cat Cay (stay 1-2 days); Cat Cay to Bimini (stay 3-4 days); Bimini to West End (stay 3-4 days with side trip to Freeport/Lucaya); West End to West Palm Beach (stay at Riviera Beach Marina); WPB to Miami (stay at Miami Beach marina); Miami to Marathon (2 day sail with a stop midway)! See the article I wrote for the Catalina Mainsheet at www.catalina320.org titled. "Islands In The Stream:Sailing To The Bahamas". Good luck!
With your time limit, an enjoyable 2 week (or less) cruise could be Marathon to Cat Cay (stay 1-2 days); Cat Cay to Bimini (stay 3-4 days); Bimini to West End (stay 3-4 days with side trip to Freeport/Lucaya); West End to West Palm Beach (stay at Riviera Beach Marina); WPB to Miami (stay at Miami Beach marina); Miami to Marathon (2 day sail with a stop midway)! See the article I wrote for the Catalina Mainsheet at www.catalina320.org titled. "Islands In The Stream:Sailing To The Bahamas". Good luck!
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Greg Beckner
Bahamas itinerary
We've done several trips from Miami to the Abaco's. It's an easy overnighter from Miami to Spanish Key--the marina there is good for a rest up and shower. Then you're at the NW end of the Abaco's and will have a week plus to work your way done to Little Harbor. We generally come back by way of the Berries with a stop at Great Harbor ( not a great marina but convenient) From there its a long 36 hrs back to Miami. If you go in June be prepared for lots of motoring--April or May would likely be better for wind. The Abacos is very much worth the trip. Greg Beckner s/v Champagne Girl
We've done several trips from Miami to the Abaco's. It's an easy overnighter from Miami to Spanish Key--the marina there is good for a rest up and shower. Then you're at the NW end of the Abaco's and will have a week plus to work your way done to Little Harbor. We generally come back by way of the Berries with a stop at Great Harbor ( not a great marina but convenient) From there its a long 36 hrs back to Miami. If you go in June be prepared for lots of motoring--April or May would likely be better for wind. The Abacos is very much worth the trip. Greg Beckner s/v Champagne Girl
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Brian C.
Robert
Most likley we will be leaving from somwhere in the Keys. I have a friend who is going to hook up with us in her H-340 and go also. If we know we have some company, we could be flexible and leave from anywhere south of Miami... Email FlyBri737@aol.com S/V CREW REST
Most likley we will be leaving from somwhere in the Keys. I have a friend who is going to hook up with us in her H-340 and go also. If we know we have some company, we could be flexible and leave from anywhere south of Miami... Email FlyBri737@aol.com S/V CREW REST
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Bill walton
Itenerary
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Peter C., I will check your posting out. After working on the charts for a couple of days, I think we'll concentrate mostly along the inside of the Exumas. I'm searching everywhere for the cruising guide I bought a couple of months ago to help. Hope we can time it right to meet up with Robert, et.al.. Depends on the captains vacation approval.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Peter C., I will check your posting out. After working on the charts for a couple of days, I think we'll concentrate mostly along the inside of the Exumas. I'm searching everywhere for the cruising guide I bought a couple of months ago to help. Hope we can time it right to meet up with Robert, et.al.. Depends on the captains vacation approval.
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Bill Walton
My Dates
Looks like we'll be heading over from 5/18 to 6/2. Any chance any of you will be there then? I'm still hashing over our route.
Looks like we'll be heading over from 5/18 to 6/2. Any chance any of you will be there then? I'm still hashing over our route.
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