I have a Hunter 260, water ballast. I know that this is not considered a blue water cruiser, but I would like to know what thoughts anyone has about the advisability of taking this boat from Florida across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. With the retractable centerboard, it seems like it would be a good boat to get into the many shallow areas in the Bahamas where others could not go, but would the lack of a solid keel cause problems in open water? Also, can the 260 be left "high and dry" at low tide without damage to the hull? Thanks for your help! Ralph C. Regar Shambala
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Steve
Follow your deams!
Go for it! Use common sense, good planning, and be prepared for "all" safety contingencies! If you don't do it, you'll always wonder; should of, could of, etc... Smaller boats have gone around the world with nutter skippers. Good Luck!
Go for it! Use common sense, good planning, and be prepared for "all" safety contingencies! If you don't do it, you'll always wonder; should of, could of, etc... Smaller boats have gone around the world with nutter skippers. Good Luck!
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Dave Condon
Go for it
Hi Ralph; Hope you are enjoying your boat on the Bay. It has been a while since talking with you. aFolks have taken the former 26 and 260 across to the Bahamas but you need to provision for the trip plus knowing the weather conditions goes without saying. In mud laying on the hull and centerboard should not present any problems. Sand of course is coarse but rocks like in my brains is not so good. Have fun and tell the Mrs. I said hi. Crazy Dave
Hi Ralph; Hope you are enjoying your boat on the Bay. It has been a while since talking with you. aFolks have taken the former 26 and 260 across to the Bahamas but you need to provision for the trip plus knowing the weather conditions goes without saying. In mud laying on the hull and centerboard should not present any problems. Sand of course is coarse but rocks like in my brains is not so good. Have fun and tell the Mrs. I said hi. Crazy Dave
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Dean Eiland
It sounds good to me
Ralph, I am considering the same trip. I would sure like to know how it works out for you. We flew to Freeport and vacationed there last year to "check out" the other side. We drove to West End to see what it would look like. They are building a new marina and housing resort at West End. Looks very nice $$$. I took my 26 to the Gulf a few weeks ago. The weather was bad but it seemed to handle the sea pretty well. We got into about 4' seas and did OK. Hang on, it’s a ride. I understand the "stream" and wind combination can be pretty rough. They say to be prepared to hang around Florida until the weather is right. Let me know your thoughts. eilandd@flash.net When will you go? How long are you going to stay? Crew of how many? Where will you depart from and where are you going to land? Have you been there before? Thanks, Dean "Chateau de Vent"
Ralph, I am considering the same trip. I would sure like to know how it works out for you. We flew to Freeport and vacationed there last year to "check out" the other side. We drove to West End to see what it would look like. They are building a new marina and housing resort at West End. Looks very nice $$$. I took my 26 to the Gulf a few weeks ago. The weather was bad but it seemed to handle the sea pretty well. We got into about 4' seas and did OK. Hang on, it’s a ride. I understand the "stream" and wind combination can be pretty rough. They say to be prepared to hang around Florida until the weather is right. Let me know your thoughts. eilandd@flash.net When will you go? How long are you going to stay? Crew of how many? Where will you depart from and where are you going to land? Have you been there before? Thanks, Dean "Chateau de Vent"
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Russ King
ELT: don't leave home without it.
Make sure you have an ELT and blue-water survival gear. Hope you don't use it/need it.
Make sure you have an ELT and blue-water survival gear. Hope you don't use it/need it.
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William Davis
EPIRB?
Are you talking about an EPIRB? Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Or is there something new out there???
Are you talking about an EPIRB? Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Or is there something new out there???
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Bob Rose
Safety First
I have crossed the stream several times from Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to West End in the Bahamas but not on my 25.5. both at night and day. If you do this you MUST have an EPIRB (Class B or C), a solid dinghy, GPS and a damn good weather radio. On some days the ocean and the gulfstream are like a millpond but on others it can be a nightmare. Its planning just when to go and with a 26 water ballasted boat, the calmer the better. I have entered west end customs and have seen Catalina 22's coming across and floatilla's of jet ski's. Its a fun and exciting trip. Stock up on fuel for those days of calm and continuous motoring, leave at or before sunrise so you will have the entire day to cross over and by all means GO WITH THE WEATHER! Good Luck
I have crossed the stream several times from Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to West End in the Bahamas but not on my 25.5. both at night and day. If you do this you MUST have an EPIRB (Class B or C), a solid dinghy, GPS and a damn good weather radio. On some days the ocean and the gulfstream are like a millpond but on others it can be a nightmare. Its planning just when to go and with a 26 water ballasted boat, the calmer the better. I have entered west end customs and have seen Catalina 22's coming across and floatilla's of jet ski's. Its a fun and exciting trip. Stock up on fuel for those days of calm and continuous motoring, leave at or before sunrise so you will have the entire day to cross over and by all means GO WITH THE WEATHER! Good Luck
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Bryan C
EPIRB
I agree with Bob. You can rent a kit from Boat/US which includes an EPIRB, hand held VHF and GPS; I think its $45 for a week. Well worth it. Make sure someone knows your float plan. Depending where you are, telephone access is not readily available and your cell phone will not work.
I agree with Bob. You can rent a kit from Boat/US which includes an EPIRB, hand held VHF and GPS; I think its $45 for a week. Well worth it. Make sure someone knows your float plan. Depending where you are, telephone access is not readily available and your cell phone will not work.
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Stephen Ostrander
all depends . . .
I know a guy who sailed a Hobie Cat from Key West to Cuba, but I wouldn't try it myself. Last fall I sailed from Punta Gorda to the Dry Tortugas on a Island Packet 38. Going over was beautiful, coming back was another story. Then the IP wasn't big enough.
I know a guy who sailed a Hobie Cat from Key West to Cuba, but I wouldn't try it myself. Last fall I sailed from Punta Gorda to the Dry Tortugas on a Island Packet 38. Going over was beautiful, coming back was another story. Then the IP wasn't big enough.
I agree with Bob Rose, weather is key
I have been told by people who have done it several times that the trick is to wait until the wind is from the south or southwest. Otherwise, the wind is either on the nose or opposes the Gulf Stream to create rough conditions. The normal prevailing wind direction is notheast to east. As a cold front approaches, the wind will first clock to the southeast. As the front nears, the wind will gradually swing to the southwest. The frontal boundary is marked by rain and squallls, but it usually passes quickly and a strong northwesterly will fill in behind it. So, if you time your departure from the coat as the wind starts to swing towards the south, you should be well aay from the coast and close to the Gulf Stream by the time the wind swings to the SW. At that point you should be beam reaching, which is a fairly fast point of sail for most boats and should get you across quickly. By the time the front arrives and the wind swings NW, you should be across and running ahead of the weather. The return is a little trickier, but again the idea is to cross when the wind is from the south. Happy sailing!! Peter S/V Raven
I have been told by people who have done it several times that the trick is to wait until the wind is from the south or southwest. Otherwise, the wind is either on the nose or opposes the Gulf Stream to create rough conditions. The normal prevailing wind direction is notheast to east. As a cold front approaches, the wind will first clock to the southeast. As the front nears, the wind will gradually swing to the southwest. The frontal boundary is marked by rain and squallls, but it usually passes quickly and a strong northwesterly will fill in behind it. So, if you time your departure from the coat as the wind starts to swing towards the south, you should be well aay from the coast and close to the Gulf Stream by the time the wind swings to the SW. At that point you should be beam reaching, which is a fairly fast point of sail for most boats and should get you across quickly. By the time the front arrives and the wind swings NW, you should be across and running ahead of the weather. The return is a little trickier, but again the idea is to cross when the wind is from the south. Happy sailing!! Peter S/V Raven
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Harvey Small
Bahama Flings
Every summer the Bahamas tourist agency arranges small boat flotilla crossings. There's a modest cost involved, but there's also a larger boat crossing with the group. Once you're there, there's welcoming parties and a few activities. I can't do it this summer, but it's high on my list for next year! A little time with your favorite search engine should get you to the Bahamian Tourist Agency. Have fun and a safe crossing!
Every summer the Bahamas tourist agency arranges small boat flotilla crossings. There's a modest cost involved, but there's also a larger boat crossing with the group. Once you're there, there's welcoming parties and a few activities. I can't do it this summer, but it's high on my list for next year! A little time with your favorite search engine should get you to the Bahamian Tourist Agency. Have fun and a safe crossing!
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