Can a Oday 25 CB sail from Miami to the Bahamas?
- Thread starter egaumer
- Start date
A sailboat will take you as far as YOUR skill can take HER. Until you know the answer to that question, you original question is irrelevant.
Get her in the water. sail. sail. sail.
I have done many Gulf Stream crossings and depending on the time of year and conditions, the Gulf Stream can get very nasty. In the summer time (and sometimes in the winter) it can be flat, but usually it is not and sometimes it is dangerous. From Miami to Bimini it is 090, but because the gulf stream is a river than runs north, there is a current and so you have to aim further south and crab your way across. The faster your boat goes the less influence of the stream will have. So, an O'Day 25 with a speed of maybe 3-5 knots might have a struggle. Motor sailing would help, but you have to make sure you have the fuel. Then it is a matter of the boat. An O'Day 25 is not classified as "offshore" and this is effectively offshore sailing because of the Gulf Stream peculiarities even though Bimini is only about 50 miles from Miami. It can be a rough 50 miles if you are in big seas. I have been on very large sailboats in big seas and much smaller sailboats and I was always happy that the boat under me was built with high quality standards designed to hold up to ocean travel. So, the most important thing is to watch for weather windows and go when it is favorable. If you have a two week vacation, then I don't recommend it because Mother Nature might not let you come back if there is lousy conditions for any length of time to catch that plane or get home on a certain date. You might have to wait for a week or so before you can go over and then have to wait the same wait to get back. Might make more sense to sail the Keys.
It's 40 miles across Lake Erie to the interesting ports, and as little as 25 to some quieter destinations. I don't think twice about going out of sight of land on my 25, but with a sharp eye to skies and forecasts.
Note: there are no significant currents to contend with on the Great Lakes.
Note: there are no significant currents to contend with on the Great Lakes.
how about the Dry Tortugas instead?
Just a thought....
Here's a thread discussing trips to the Dry Tortugas via the Marquesas--I don't know anything about it, just passing it along....
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...o-dry-tortugas-as-soon-as-possible-55008.html
Just a thought....
Here's a thread discussing trips to the Dry Tortugas via the Marquesas--I don't know anything about it, just passing it along....
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...o-dry-tortugas-as-soon-as-possible-55008.html
These guys do it in mac's http://www.conchcruisers.net
The site connects sort of spotty. May not always work.
The site connects sort of spotty. May not always work.
I'm also having visions of making the trip. I wouldn't do it with my 22. I'm thinking of buying either a 240 or a 272 next winter. If I was to get the 240 I would like to trailer her to Florida and sail the area, possibly make the trip to the Bahamas. The 272 would be better suited but I couldn't trailer it that far (from NJ). I will see what the future holds.
I found a web site for, "The Wild Hair". They summarized one of their Keys to Bimini trip in their 25 Mac. I was surprised that they left the Keys at 3pm to make the crossing. I would think it would be best to leave at first light so you have light conditions for the entire passage. Is there a reason one should leave later in the afternoon?
I found a site for the
I found a web site for, "The Wild Hair". They summarized one of their Keys to Bimini trip in their 25 Mac. I was surprised that they left the Keys at 3pm to make the crossing. I would think it would be best to leave at first light so you have light conditions for the entire passage. Is there a reason one should leave later in the afternoon?
I found a site for the
These guys made the crossing from Bimini to Miami the day after this picture was taken. I read later in a magazine article that the trip was rough and took a lot longer than expected. They had sailed from Haiti through the Bahamas to this point, to commemorate the hazardous trips many refugees took to get to the US.
Good weather, good trip; bad weather bad (probably awful) trip; might have to come back. Be sure you and the boat are truly ready for sea. Stuff tied down; fuel polished or fresh, and fuel tank cleaned before departing; back-up electronics (GPS & VHF) in a place not to get wet. Have proper sails; reefing capability w/practice; heave-to practice; prove bilge pumps work including manual one; fully inspect standing rigging or have professional do it; have at least two anchors & rode; make sure batteries are good (not more than 3-4 yr old if lead acid); float plan; etc.