What's the minimum size to safely get from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl to Bimini Islands. About 52 miles directly off the Florida coast. I have a Mac 25 right now with a 6hp.
What is the minimum size
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It depends on the type of boat
It depends on the type of boat and even more importantly how skilled the skipper is. I sailed a 22 footer to England and found her to be a very good size for the trip. But I know people with 40 footers that would have trouble making the trip you are contemplating. How comfortable are you with making the trip? That’s more important then the choice of boat. Sail a bit more and when you have enough experience to do a trip like this you will also probably have enough experience to look at a boat and decide on your own how seaworthy she is. When you are ready for the trip you will have the answer to your own question. Good luck and all the best, Robert Gainer
It depends on the type of boat and even more importantly how skilled the skipper is. I sailed a 22 footer to England and found her to be a very good size for the trip. But I know people with 40 footers that would have trouble making the trip you are contemplating. How comfortable are you with making the trip? That’s more important then the choice of boat. Sail a bit more and when you have enough experience to do a trip like this you will also probably have enough experience to look at a boat and decide on your own how seaworthy she is. When you are ready for the trip you will have the answer to your own question. Good luck and all the best, Robert Gainer
Weather Window
We made the crossing to Bimini several times in our first boat an Irwin 23 . Just watch the weather and never cross when the wind is out of the north . we always cross at night to arrive in day light as the channels were not mark well but now they have a brand new well mark channel.Always a great trip .
We made the crossing to Bimini several times in our first boat an Irwin 23 . Just watch the weather and never cross when the wind is out of the north . we always cross at night to arrive in day light as the channels were not mark well but now they have a brand new well mark channel.Always a great trip .
Captain Rob, are you the same Captain Rob...
...that was on the Gulfstream Eagle for several years? Jack Hart SEA-YA!
...that was on the Gulfstream Eagle for several years? Jack Hart SEA-YA!
Think Weight not Length
I've sailed a Mac 25 and it is a great little lake boat. NO WAY would I sail across to Bimini in one. But I met a guy who sailed a Beneteau 235 across and he said that he had a great time. My friend had the Mac 25 and we got stuck on a lake. A big wind came up and was supposed to die out in the afternoon. Well it didn't and the Mac wasn't able to beat back and the outboard wasn't strong enough to push it back. After a long day we finally got back to the marina using sails and motor and the wind died down a little. BTW we used to play with his Mac to see who could get the most water in the cockpit on windy days. This was on a small mountain lake in East Tennessee. He loved his Mac. It was a great boat for trailering and use in a lake. But if you get caught off a lee shore in 25-30 knots of wind you'll probably end up on the beach. If you get caught out in the open sea you'll probably flip.
I've sailed a Mac 25 and it is a great little lake boat. NO WAY would I sail across to Bimini in one. But I met a guy who sailed a Beneteau 235 across and he said that he had a great time. My friend had the Mac 25 and we got stuck on a lake. A big wind came up and was supposed to die out in the afternoon. Well it didn't and the Mac wasn't able to beat back and the outboard wasn't strong enough to push it back. After a long day we finally got back to the marina using sails and motor and the wind died down a little. BTW we used to play with his Mac to see who could get the most water in the cockpit on windy days. This was on a small mountain lake in East Tennessee. He loved his Mac. It was a great boat for trailering and use in a lake. But if you get caught off a lee shore in 25-30 knots of wind you'll probably end up on the beach. If you get caught out in the open sea you'll probably flip.
Have sailed the Mac 25 and be careful
I think you can do it with the mac 25 but I would not want to get caught in any weather. Back up motor and fuel on a calm day should work.
I think you can do it with the mac 25 but I would not want to get caught in any weather. Back up motor and fuel on a calm day should work.
Worry about getting back
Presumably before you leave Florida you'll carefully pick a weather window and not leave unless conditions are ideal. 12-14 hrs should see you across OK. I'd be more concerned abt the trip home as you may be under more pressure not to wait for the ideal conditions etc. I've not crossed the Stream myself, but have friends who have done so 6 times in the last few years, and from what they tell me, that is no place for a Mac25 unless it's under absolutely ideal conditions. At best, your margins are going to be pretty darn slim. Don't do it without one or more "buddy" boats that are crossing at the same time and whom you can rely on for assistance if needed.
Presumably before you leave Florida you'll carefully pick a weather window and not leave unless conditions are ideal. 12-14 hrs should see you across OK. I'd be more concerned abt the trip home as you may be under more pressure not to wait for the ideal conditions etc. I've not crossed the Stream myself, but have friends who have done so 6 times in the last few years, and from what they tell me, that is no place for a Mac25 unless it's under absolutely ideal conditions. At best, your margins are going to be pretty darn slim. Don't do it without one or more "buddy" boats that are crossing at the same time and whom you can rely on for assistance if needed.
Conch Cruisers and Wild Hair
Try www.conchcruisers.net for an alternative opinion on whether the Mac 25 or 26 is up to a Gulf Stream crossing. Safety in numbers points toward a club crossing rather than a single, but with the right weather window it's not a trip beyond capability.
Try www.conchcruisers.net for an alternative opinion on whether the Mac 25 or 26 is up to a Gulf Stream crossing. Safety in numbers points toward a club crossing rather than a single, but with the right weather window it's not a trip beyond capability.
Holy Cow! The Wild Hair!
I loved reading the logs of the Wild Hair! Chip Giles if I remember the name. He was the skipper of the 'Wild Hair'. Funny and yet all true story. The intrique and humor kept me glued to these stories. Check out the Conch Cruiser site or Google 'Wild Hair' for those great stories! Tom
I loved reading the logs of the Wild Hair! Chip Giles if I remember the name. He was the skipper of the 'Wild Hair'. Funny and yet all true story. The intrique and humor kept me glued to these stories. Check out the Conch Cruiser site or Google 'Wild Hair' for those great stories! Tom
And oh yes, the minimum size boat question ...
Boat size has nothing to do with crossing a squat as far as I am concerned. It has all to do with the man and the skill he possesed. Concentrate on getting schooled in the ways of a good skipper/captain. Get seasoned in the surroundings that offer the best of situation and always remember .... A man can do whatever he sets his mind to doing! Tom
Boat size has nothing to do with crossing a squat as far as I am concerned. It has all to do with the man and the skill he possesed. Concentrate on getting schooled in the ways of a good skipper/captain. Get seasoned in the surroundings that offer the best of situation and always remember .... A man can do whatever he sets his mind to doing! Tom
ClownPilot Tom, I have a 7'9" bolger dink
that you can take across the gulf stream if you like. I do believe that size will be more forgiving of the smallest mistakes. In that dink you make just one little mistake and you are in trouble. But be assured it won't sink.
that you can take across the gulf stream if you like. I do believe that size will be more forgiving of the smallest mistakes. In that dink you make just one little mistake and you are in trouble. But be assured it won't sink.
I'm pretty sure...
that crossing has been made in an ocean going kayak. One of my mom's relatives (Jim Dreyer - see the attached link) has crossed all of the Great Lakes swimming. It depends on conditions, skill, experience, and confidence in your craft. Size doesn't matter for real in this case. Common sense, experience, and skill are key.
that crossing has been made in an ocean going kayak. One of my mom's relatives (Jim Dreyer - see the attached link) has crossed all of the Great Lakes swimming. It depends on conditions, skill, experience, and confidence in your craft. Size doesn't matter for real in this case. Common sense, experience, and skill are key.
Pick a good weather window
Weather is the main factor. Gulf Stream can get very rough if weather is bad. Condition of your boat is a other condition. I beleive the Coast Guard recommends a 26' boat with two means of propulsion. Sail and outboard count as two. Recommend to leave at night to arrive in day light.
Weather is the main factor. Gulf Stream can get very rough if weather is bad. Condition of your boat is a other condition. I beleive the Coast Guard recommends a 26' boat with two means of propulsion. Sail and outboard count as two. Recommend to leave at night to arrive in day light.
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