Hi, We're getting ready for a short (pitiful sigh...) trip to Grand Bahama Island. We're crossing Palm Beach to West End in the first weather window after( or very near if it's looking that way) the 17th of November. Sadly we'll be returning the next week (weather permitting...). If anybody's crossing the same time and looking for company let me know here or directly at prospect@netster.com. Jim h37.5 "Prospect"
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Mike DiMario
Wish I were!
Jim, I was interested in your posting, since I/we are planning the same trip in a few years, approaching retirement. Good luck, happy sailing, I'll be keeping an eye out. I'd be interested in your " blow by blow" account, if your so inclined. Share your excitement, your wonders and your fears, if comfortable. Mike D
Jim, I was interested in your posting, since I/we are planning the same trip in a few years, approaching retirement. Good luck, happy sailing, I'll be keeping an eye out. I'd be interested in your " blow by blow" account, if your so inclined. Share your excitement, your wonders and your fears, if comfortable. Mike D
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Bryan C.
Planning a night crossing Nov 2 or 3
It's always weather permitting this time of year when northeast winds are common and can kick the stream into a froth.
It's always weather permitting this time of year when northeast winds are common and can kick the stream into a froth.
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David Hirtle
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David Hirtle
Crossing To The Bahammas
Mike D. Saw your inquiry in this article. My wife and I recently returned from a near one year sabbaticl on our 28' O'day. We sailed the length of the East Coast, including the Chesapeake and the ICW down thru Florida. We had a marvelous time and met some great people along the way. The trip was envolved but we look forward to part two...The Islands. We'd like to hear your plans. David H.
Mike D. Saw your inquiry in this article. My wife and I recently returned from a near one year sabbaticl on our 28' O'day. We sailed the length of the East Coast, including the Chesapeake and the ICW down thru Florida. We had a marvelous time and met some great people along the way. The trip was envolved but we look forward to part two...The Islands. We'd like to hear your plans. David H.
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Gill
There is always company
I really doubt that you will be alone. We have made the crossing from West Palm many times and it never fails that when there is a weather window of 24 hours you will have company. Last time we went there were 17 boats. Matter of fact that was in November also. Keep your radio scanning for chatter and the hole just north of the inlet is where many anchor for the window. Have a great time! Oh yea West End is tough in the dark. Gill skipnstones@mindspring.com
I really doubt that you will be alone. We have made the crossing from West Palm many times and it never fails that when there is a weather window of 24 hours you will have company. Last time we went there were 17 boats. Matter of fact that was in November also. Keep your radio scanning for chatter and the hole just north of the inlet is where many anchor for the window. Have a great time! Oh yea West End is tough in the dark. Gill skipnstones@mindspring.com
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Jim Ewing
Thanks
Thanks all, Gill, I know what you mean about West End. When we crossed last April we left from Ft. Lauderdale and arrived at West End about 4AM. This was our first crossing. We could pick up the marina entry lights but couldn't get them to make sense. We ended up tacking back and forth until daylight. At sunrise we saw that we were too far south and we were actually looking across the entrance channel at an angle. This time we're planning on leaving before dawn and getting there in the afternoon. You're also right about never being alone. Both ways we were constantly in sight of another boat even though we were travelling alone! Jim "Prospect"
Thanks all, Gill, I know what you mean about West End. When we crossed last April we left from Ft. Lauderdale and arrived at West End about 4AM. This was our first crossing. We could pick up the marina entry lights but couldn't get them to make sense. We ended up tacking back and forth until daylight. At sunrise we saw that we were too far south and we were actually looking across the entrance channel at an angle. This time we're planning on leaving before dawn and getting there in the afternoon. You're also right about never being alone. Both ways we were constantly in sight of another boat even though we were travelling alone! Jim "Prospect"
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Peter Clancy
Big Waves In Gulfstream!
Last nights weather report said wave heights were expected to reach 14' in the Gulfstream. Wind has been blowing N-NE 25 to 25 knots for the last few days.
Last nights weather report said wave heights were expected to reach 14' in the Gulfstream. Wind has been blowing N-NE 25 to 25 knots for the last few days.
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Peter Clancy
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Mike DiMario
Our plans David
Dear Dave, My wife and I own a 376 Hunter. Our plans are a way off yet. I just turned 50 this year and I don't see an opportunity arising until my planned retirement in 7 years. I'm sorry if I mislead you into thinking more recent, but then again, things can happen! Our dream of owning our own sailboat didn't happen until we gave up on it! This past summer we had a very successful cruise to New York City from Md. Every aspect of the trip was a treat. This coming year, we are talking about maybe staying in the Bay to Tangier and Smith Islands. Followed by a trip to New England in 2002. We are new to cruising and trying to take it slow. By the time that I retire, we would like to be comfortable and prepared to journey the islands. If time allows, we will journey South in the ensuing years to gain familiarity with the lay of the "land"? (sea) In the meantime, I am dreaming of the passage through the islands. It seems like paradise. I hope and pray that we will get to enjoy it some day! Happy cruising, Mike DiMario Media, PA s/v Serenity H376 email address available in HOW directory
Dear Dave, My wife and I own a 376 Hunter. Our plans are a way off yet. I just turned 50 this year and I don't see an opportunity arising until my planned retirement in 7 years. I'm sorry if I mislead you into thinking more recent, but then again, things can happen! Our dream of owning our own sailboat didn't happen until we gave up on it! This past summer we had a very successful cruise to New York City from Md. Every aspect of the trip was a treat. This coming year, we are talking about maybe staying in the Bay to Tangier and Smith Islands. Followed by a trip to New England in 2002. We are new to cruising and trying to take it slow. By the time that I retire, we would like to be comfortable and prepared to journey the islands. If time allows, we will journey South in the ensuing years to gain familiarity with the lay of the "land"? (sea) In the meantime, I am dreaming of the passage through the islands. It seems like paradise. I hope and pray that we will get to enjoy it some day! Happy cruising, Mike DiMario Media, PA s/v Serenity H376 email address available in HOW directory
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Roger Mummah
New Setup at West End and Your Plans?
Hi Jim, Have a great crossing and a great time! I assume you have charts that show the updated West End Harbour. The two entrances have been reworked to have only one entrance. The old Jack Tar Marina is no longer there and it has been developed as a resort called Old Bahama Bay. The "Cruising Guide to the Abacos" (Steve Dodge) and the "Explorer Chartbook-Near Bahamas (Monty and Sara Lewis) both show it clearly. Not sure of the status of the marina there, but others have told us that there may be no water or power at the slips. Depends on the progress of the construction I guess. Where are you planning to go from West End? There have been some good postings on the Hunter List about the trip you are making. Let me know if you have not seen them. I am trying to gather info on the Bahamas about anchorages, moorings, marinas and cruising comments to be put together some where so we can all read about each other's trips. Hope to include not only the Abacos, but all the Bahamas. Please keep records of what you did and what you liked and disliked and let us know what you thought. Waypoints of anchorages and significant would be nice too. Susie and I intend to go to the Abacos, via West End in April 2001, so please leave a trail. I would also be interested in your crossing speed, since you I don't think at that angle across the Gulf Stream you will get any boost from it. Thanks Roger Mummah, remummah@worldnet.att.net s/v Endless Summer (H31 #58)
Hi Jim, Have a great crossing and a great time! I assume you have charts that show the updated West End Harbour. The two entrances have been reworked to have only one entrance. The old Jack Tar Marina is no longer there and it has been developed as a resort called Old Bahama Bay. The "Cruising Guide to the Abacos" (Steve Dodge) and the "Explorer Chartbook-Near Bahamas (Monty and Sara Lewis) both show it clearly. Not sure of the status of the marina there, but others have told us that there may be no water or power at the slips. Depends on the progress of the construction I guess. Where are you planning to go from West End? There have been some good postings on the Hunter List about the trip you are making. Let me know if you have not seen them. I am trying to gather info on the Bahamas about anchorages, moorings, marinas and cruising comments to be put together some where so we can all read about each other's trips. Hope to include not only the Abacos, but all the Bahamas. Please keep records of what you did and what you liked and disliked and let us know what you thought. Waypoints of anchorages and significant would be nice too. Susie and I intend to go to the Abacos, via West End in April 2001, so please leave a trail. I would also be interested in your crossing speed, since you I don't think at that angle across the Gulf Stream you will get any boost from it. Thanks Roger Mummah, remummah@worldnet.att.net s/v Endless Summer (H31 #58)
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Peter Clancy
West End Marina
Visited the new West End marina for a few days in July. It has been fully-renovated and has all services including electric and water. Nice staff and a couple of thatched hut pavilions one serving food and the other a bar. They have several bikes you can use for free to explore the area. New condos under construction adjacent to the marina. To experience a real Bahamas out island settlement not yet commercialized, take a walk or bike ride into the West End village about a mile east of the marina. It is a good idea to make reservations at the marina as well. There is decent anchorage on the north side of the marina but unprotected from northerly winds and waves. You can clear Bahamas customs at West End marina.
Visited the new West End marina for a few days in July. It has been fully-renovated and has all services including electric and water. Nice staff and a couple of thatched hut pavilions one serving food and the other a bar. They have several bikes you can use for free to explore the area. New condos under construction adjacent to the marina. To experience a real Bahamas out island settlement not yet commercialized, take a walk or bike ride into the West End village about a mile east of the marina. It is a good idea to make reservations at the marina as well. There is decent anchorage on the north side of the marina but unprotected from northerly winds and waves. You can clear Bahamas customs at West End marina.
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Jim Ewing
Ditto on Peter's response
Yes, Old Bahama Bay is fully operational. And a bargain. $.75/ft/day for dockage (10% discount if you stay a week), power is $.25/kwh (when we stayed 3 day's power (with A/C) was $5.00. Water is costly but not if you only use it occasionally (or "borrow" some from your neighbor). The people there are great even letting you use their phone when the pay phone is out. The settlement at West End has a small store and a bakery (you can live on the bread in the Bahamas). Roger, as to the crossing I prefer not to fight the current. What I do is drop south along the coast a distance equal to my guesstimated effect of the current. Then I cross at right angles. I think about 12 miles south going over and about 10 miles south coming back are about right. It depends on your boat speed of course. On our 37.5 we cross at best speed cruise of 2800 RPM and about 6.5 kts. I keep meaning to post a trip report from our last visit in April with some anchorages and things we did. One of these days I'll find the time. Jim "Prospect"
Yes, Old Bahama Bay is fully operational. And a bargain. $.75/ft/day for dockage (10% discount if you stay a week), power is $.25/kwh (when we stayed 3 day's power (with A/C) was $5.00. Water is costly but not if you only use it occasionally (or "borrow" some from your neighbor). The people there are great even letting you use their phone when the pay phone is out. The settlement at West End has a small store and a bakery (you can live on the bread in the Bahamas). Roger, as to the crossing I prefer not to fight the current. What I do is drop south along the coast a distance equal to my guesstimated effect of the current. Then I cross at right angles. I think about 12 miles south going over and about 10 miles south coming back are about right. It depends on your boat speed of course. On our 37.5 we cross at best speed cruise of 2800 RPM and about 6.5 kts. I keep meaning to post a trip report from our last visit in April with some anchorages and things we did. One of these days I'll find the time. Jim "Prospect"
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Jose Venegas
Conditions for crossing in Dec-Jan
We will be spending the last weeks in December and first week in January 2001 in Fort Lauderdale on our Beneteau 361. Does any body have an idea of the probabilities for good conditions to make the passage to and from Bahamas during that period? Any suggestions for alternative destinations, should the weather not cooperate, would be greatly appreciated. Jose jgvenegas@hotmail.com
We will be spending the last weeks in December and first week in January 2001 in Fort Lauderdale on our Beneteau 361. Does any body have an idea of the probabilities for good conditions to make the passage to and from Bahamas during that period? Any suggestions for alternative destinations, should the weather not cooperate, would be greatly appreciated. Jose jgvenegas@hotmail.com
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Jim Ewing
Front frequency
Jose, That time of year we usually get a front through every week or so. Last winter they were more frequent than normal. So far this year we've had one period of fairly strong N-NE winds that lasted over two weeks. That's unusual but shows you how you can get stuck by the weather. Also big west winds can be a problem entering at West End or crossing onto the bank (assuming you're going to Grand Bahama and on to the Abacos). Depending on your time constraint you can go to the Keys. Lots to see and do and if you stay in the northern Keys you can cross to Bimini when the weather window opens. Have a good trip. Jim "Prospect"
Jose, That time of year we usually get a front through every week or so. Last winter they were more frequent than normal. So far this year we've had one period of fairly strong N-NE winds that lasted over two weeks. That's unusual but shows you how you can get stuck by the weather. Also big west winds can be a problem entering at West End or crossing onto the bank (assuming you're going to Grand Bahama and on to the Abacos). Depending on your time constraint you can go to the Keys. Lots to see and do and if you stay in the northern Keys you can cross to Bimini when the weather window opens. Have a good trip. Jim "Prospect"
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GERRY HULL
Bahamas crossing advice
Jim. Its a crapshoot as to the weather. Just NEVER try to beat a front across. They can sometimes move surprisingly fast. Also some times the e- se winds pick up strongly in your face while you are trying to cross. This holds you back and then the front can catch you. If you are crossing to Bimini try going to no name harbor on Miami;s Key Biscayne and leave from there after midnight. The angle is better than from Fll. This route only brings you to Bimini which is a small area and 75 miles of open water away from the next island group, the Berry Is. An alt plan is to leave Fll and ride the stream N.E. and go to West End and then an easy hop to the Abacos where the is much to do. Its sort of a yachtsman's "padded cell."
Jim. Its a crapshoot as to the weather. Just NEVER try to beat a front across. They can sometimes move surprisingly fast. Also some times the e- se winds pick up strongly in your face while you are trying to cross. This holds you back and then the front can catch you. If you are crossing to Bimini try going to no name harbor on Miami;s Key Biscayne and leave from there after midnight. The angle is better than from Fll. This route only brings you to Bimini which is a small area and 75 miles of open water away from the next island group, the Berry Is. An alt plan is to leave Fll and ride the stream N.E. and go to West End and then an easy hop to the Abacos where the is much to do. Its sort of a yachtsman's "padded cell."
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Bill Dietrich
Info about this on my web page
See http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/Places.html#WeatherAndRouteNotes and http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/Places.html#DestinationsAndAreas Bill
See http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/Places.html#WeatherAndRouteNotes and http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/Places.html#DestinationsAndAreas Bill
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