CROSSING THE GULF STREAM

[Steve Donahue]

I've been waiting to cross the Gulf Stream from Lauderdale to Bimini for 10 days, but the wind has been NW to NE to E for over 10 days. They're forcasting 10-15 KN E to SE for Monday - Tuesday. Anyone had experience in these conditions doing the crossing? Can my H34 handle in these conditions? Any advice appriciated

 

[Jim]

Gulf stream

Have made the crossing four times round trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Cat Key. There is a good marina at Cat to clear Customs and hide if necessary. Bimini is difficult to enter. Sun MUST be overhead so you can read the water. Anchoring is so-so in shallow sand over rock. Cat is a much better choice. As far as going in a SE wind, that will be right on the nose for your course to allow for Gulf Stream offset. If the wind has been blowing for 10 days from the N to NE, the stream is going to be VERY confused. I would wait at least until the wind clocks to the South. Walk to the beach with your binoculars, and look to the horizon. If you can see "elephants" out there--do not go. I got caught in NE winds once (25-35kts) and it was not pretty out there. Waves to the spreaders--Boat was fine, but it scared the ----out of both wife and me. Usually if the wind is clocking south it will continue to go that way until it goes west to NW, then a front will come through and it will go N to NE and start the cycle all over again. If you go to Cat the first day, anchor on the Bank the second, you can be in Nassau the third in an easy day. Thats the way I did it each time. If the wind is right, I've seen 22' boats make the crossing. Watch out for the cruise ships at night. They go fast, and probably cannot see you. Have a safe and good trip. Wish I was there with you. Next year!!!

 

[Robert Pancza]

10-15 kn OK, if..

The square waves formed by the north winds have died down. The NOAA weather report should give wave heights in the stream. Between now and Monday, you could sail down the coast, even as far as Rodriguez Key off Key Largo and cross from there. Then you'd have the current less against you. It'd also give you something to do if you're getting cabin fever from sitting and waiting.

 

[Jim Flowers]

Best to wait

At least drop down to Key Biscayne while you're waiting. You don't want to be out there with NE winds against the Gulf stream. Make sure you time it so that you can lay off until sunrise and go in to Bimini during the day. You want to have good navigation equipment and know how to use it. Wouldn't want to miss.Only did it once in a Morgan 44 but with 35K from the NE it took a long time and everyone was ready for it to be over. Boat did fine.

 

[Al Budding]

I agree

with Robert. Last summer, after sailing in the Keys with our sailing club, we crossed into 15 knot winds out of the east from a point just south of Angle Fish creek. It was my twenty-third crossing and although not as pleasent as some, certainly not as uncomfortable as others. I would suggest, as others have, that you use your waiting time to head south so that you can get a better angle on the wind and current when conditions do change. There is a good anchorage opposite Key Biscayne and better yet, if you can manage to get further, key Largo has good anchorages on eather side. Also, eather Cat Cay or Chub Cay are much better and eaiser places to clear customs than Bimini.Good luck on your crossing and let us know how it went.A.B.