Marathon FL, to Bimini

[Mick]

Just wondering about some jumping off points in FLA. to Bahamas. I'm considering Marathon to Bimini and want to know what time others have left Marathon to make it into Alice Town. Yeah, I've already done the math for the actual distance and currents but I'd like to know from others who've done it with a sailboat what the REAL time is. I'd also like to know if on the return trip, Bimini to Miami, others head south near shore to avoid the hard N. bound current in the middle or just head out and figure it out as they/we go? We've crossed the stream several times before but always heading to Havana, we've heard the one golden rule about crusing the Bahamas is NEVER ENTER/LEAVE AT NIGHT!!!! Just trying to stick to that one rule that so many have warned us of.

 

[Bill walton]

Marathon to West end

we made the trip to Westend from Marathon in 19 hours on May 3. We left our marina on a heading of about 140 until we passed the reef, then ran about 075 until we were far enough out to make it past the rest of Florida, then turned NNE on the rhumbline to Westend right down the middle of the stream. Had a great current push to the point we were making 10+ kt SOG. We checked in there about 1:30pm, topped off the fuel, had lunch and left about 3;30. We continued on nonstop across the little bahama bank using Steve Dodge's waypoints, arriving at Man-O-War Cay about 10:30am the next morning, 39 hours in all. No problems at all. We'll be heading back on July 3 but don't expect as quick a trip. We'll swing south from MOW to go around the southern extremity of Great Abaco, across the NE Providence Channel, swing north of the Berrys, across the bank to the south Riding Rocks, then across the stream to the north part of Key Largo, then down Hawk Channel to home.

 

[rudy]

Rodriguez Key

try anchoring off Rodriguez key in Tavernier, I am told it is almost a straight shoit to Bimini if you take off at the right time, If you take off about 4am you can make it before sunset to bimini.make sure the wind is not from the North.