East Coast to Caribbean

[Franklin]

I've read so much about two passage ways to go south: 1) take the ICW 2) cross the stream up north and pass the triangle on the east side while going south. Pros of #1 is it's safe...no gulf stream to worry about. Pros of #2 is no bridges and shallow areas (except near the islands) to worry about.Now I don't want to get into a discussion about which of these two is better. What I want is for somebody to point out the flaws in #3 (see below).3) Why not stick close to the shore on the east coast and pass all the way down the east coast to miami between the stream and shore? Even in Miami where the stream is the closest to shore, it's still 3-5 miles off shore (according to a charter I talked to last year). So if you can sail just a half a mile off shore, you can get the benifits (safe from northeasterlies and stream, and get to see the countryside) of the ICW without the negatives (bridges, traffic, shallow waters), right?So what are the flaws with #3?

 

[Don]

distance travelled?

Anybody know the actual coast measurement of the east coast? I'd bet even money it's close to or exceeds 2000 miles?Don

 

[Benny]

Gulfstream

If you are going to the Caribbean you are going to have to cross the Gulfstream into the Bahamas once you get to South Florida. It's a 10-12 hour ride which you would need to start down in the Keys to hit the Grand Bahama Bank. Wether 1/2 miles or 20 out miles you are talking about sailing in the Atlantic Ocean with no protection from seas or bad weather. Overnight passages are best done with a sound vessel of at least 30' and with an able experienced crew. The passes or points of entry to the protection of the ICW are few and far in between. Some of the entrances are impossible at night or with bad weather. You would not want to get caught by a north easterly pinned in between the gulfstream and a lee shore. The offshore route would be safer and the ride down the ICW is more leasurly as there are plenty of places to drop the hook. Once in the Bahamas you can pretty much island hop down to the caribbean. Some sailors will take advantage of a window of calm weather and will do a leg of the trip on the outside with pre-planned exit an entry points.

 

[Franklin]

Opps....

brainfart. I was thinking the northeasterlies are blowing offshore. I was picturing in my head the storms that come in from northern jetstream. My mistake. Your right...no protection.