Miami to Bimini and back--advice??
- Thread starter canderson1867
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One of the things I really like about...
...the free OpenCPN is the ability to see the tides and currents from stations right on the chart for any day like above for your departure date (I think). It is larger, clearer and sharper on your monitor vs the screen dump I posted.
Anglefish is at the bottom arrow and the nearest tide and current stations are at Caesar Creek north of it. Look at the data I think with your X you will be good about any time after midnight. I'm not saying to use Caesar but use the data from it as it is close.
I'd probably try the midnight to 1 a.m. myself as the current is in the 1 knot range if the two cuts are comparable. From 1:30 to 4:00 the current gets up to 2 knots. To maintain steerage you are going to have to be running faster than the current so you might be running 4-5 knots over the ground to do that and in the dark an a narrow channel that might not be fun.
You have a good plan going out and checking it out in daylight. Have a good trip but if the weather is iffy head south inside on the ICW to Key Largo and maybe beyond and you will enjoy that also. We did and are going back to that area,
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links
...the free OpenCPN is the ability to see the tides and currents from stations right on the chart for any day like above for your departure date (I think). It is larger, clearer and sharper on your monitor vs the screen dump I posted.
Anglefish is at the bottom arrow and the nearest tide and current stations are at Caesar Creek north of it. Look at the data I think with your X you will be good about any time after midnight. I'm not saying to use Caesar but use the data from it as it is close.
I'd probably try the midnight to 1 a.m. myself as the current is in the 1 knot range if the two cuts are comparable. From 1:30 to 4:00 the current gets up to 2 knots. To maintain steerage you are going to have to be running faster than the current so you might be running 4-5 knots over the ground to do that and in the dark an a narrow channel that might not be fun.
You have a good plan going out and checking it out in daylight. Have a good trip but if the weather is iffy head south inside on the ICW to Key Largo and maybe beyond and you will enjoy that also. We did and are going back to that area,
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links
you'll want to top up your fuel if you launch go to anglefish and back to homestead. -its got to be an hour each way.
also watch out to west in cutter bank. it drys at low tide.
when did you decide to go?
also watch out to west in cutter bank. it drys at low tide.
when did you decide to go?
Thanks for the tip on Key Largo. If I travel that far it would be a great waste not to see some the area. My Garmin app on my IPad has the same info. I was just going down a day early, but now I plan on going down two days early and get a good feel for the area. Thanks again for the info.
Thanks Bill,
I plan on refilling everything Friday night. We will leave the dock when my daughter arrives from Destin, FL and proceed down to Pumpkin and wait for the tide. If they get in late, we will sleep, tour the area, refill, and wait for the next midnight tide. I'm to old to take any chances. This is on my bucket list and I don't want to spill my bucket. Thanks again for all your help.
I agree. I just wish I had the time to do the same. Back in 1967-1969 I use to fly from Guantanamo to the states In the Navy US-2C and look at that beautiful blue water and dream of the day I could be down there and feel it.
We have our anchorages and other info on our trip log....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/Florida-2011-Spring-index.html
...for below Homestead down to Marathon except it reads south to north. It might help if you don't get to go over to Bimini and have to go south,
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links
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I was reading the Chinook Blog and could not help but think of Sumner and how impressed with the way you guys take the time and effort to tell the stories. I have no talent for writing at all. If I did take time to write it would amount to "I had fun" next day same.
It was quite a surprise when I read that Mike and Sandy actually stopped by to visit Sumner and Ruth. That seemed very cool. I'd love to actually meet some of the members myself. Maybe it is a small world.
It was quite a surprise when I read that Mike and Sandy actually stopped by to visit Sumner and Ruth. That seemed very cool. I'd love to actually meet some of the members myself. Maybe it is a small world.
AMEN! Sum and Ruth (we get both? What a deal!) have been enormously helpful to me and others on this list. Make sure you buy them a cold one (or more) when you get to meet them.
Jeff
Finished final load and cleaning. Leaving Tue evening for Miami. Will keep everyone posted on trip. Thanks for all the advice.
There is a big group heading over starting wed... (from FLL) will send a pm shortly.
They plan to return monday.
They plan to return monday.
First leg finished. Had to replace both tail lights on trailer. Right one was intermittent with rusted out grounding plate and I did not want chance it at night on the Interstate. Took me five hours to reach Ocala, FL. Pulled into last rest stop before turnpike and sign said "no camping". Checked with security about crashing for a few hours and he said no problem. He would rather see me crash here than out on the Interstate. More tomorrow.
Just to bring you all to date? After getting every thing set up for the trip, Friday, after my daughter and son-in-law joined we decided, based on wind forecasts, to not go. Instead we chose to head south on the Intercostal canal. So far it has been great. Tomorrow we are going to head out to deep water (250 ') to do some fishing and then back into some reefs for snorkeling.
That's too bad, I know you were looking forward to it but I hope you are having fun anyway. You were probably wise, I am not sure I wouldn't have the foresight to do the right thing and went anyway after all the preparation. I applaud your decision.
good decision. elliott key, boca chica, ragged keys would be good choice. it should calm down by tues.
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