Which route if going to Bahamas?

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
C

Capt. Rodbone

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Messages
172
Location
U.S.
Vessel Name
SV Stella Polaris MV Sea Turtle
Vessel Make
1978 VanDine Gaff rigged schooner, 1978 Grand Banks Classic Trawler
Admittedly being a bit lazy here. Wife and I are probably starting the Great Loop on our GB 42 in a couple of months. I’d say better than 50% chance we go over to the Bahamas for a month or so. Question is we will be doing the crossing from Carabelle FL to the FL gulf coast. We don’t really have a desire to do the Keys, but realize that puts us at a better angle for the Gulf Stream if we do. Is that better than going through Okachobee, and then south some from Stuart? If it makes sense to cross the lake how far south do you go to make the crossing?
 
The choice depends on where you want to go in the Bahamas. Stuart is on roughly the same latitude line as Walker's Cay, which is a small but fishy place (or used to be). Grand Bahama Island isn't too much further south than that. To get anywhere else, you'll have to make quite a bit more southing, and eventually turn around and head back to the north to resume your Loop route. I enjoy crossing the Okeechobee Waterway as much as it can be enjoyed, but when Bahamas bound, from anywhere in the Gulf of Mexico, crossing Florida Bay is the way to go IMO, leaving the U.S. from the Keys or Miami, if you prefer. As you note, the current is more favorable and you have lots of destinations spread before you after you cross the Stream.
 
Last edited:
no question I would choose the Keys route. Shorter/easier run to the Bahamas and some really cool stops south of Ft. Meyers to enjoy - Naples/Marco Island, Everglades City/Ten Thousand Islands, Florida Bay including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Key West and even Fort Jefferson for the adventurous. I would only choose the Okeechobee route if there were impeding storms on their way.
 
Depending on the Bahamas destination(s), not sure I would say the Keys route is shorter.

Unless one wants to see places in the Keys, they do fall pretty short of what the Bahamas has to offer in terms of water related activities.
 
We’ve made the trip from Florida to Bimini 5 times. The further south you are the more comfortable and easier it is. The best trip was from Rodrigues Key but because of the added distance we didn’t gain much. Biscayne Bay is good since it has a mooring field and a Fresh Market for provisioning. Exiting at Government Cut is also good while anchoring behind Fisher Island in settled weather.

Regardless of your departure point I wouldn’t recommend crossing if there is any northerly wind. With the wind out of the north,the gulf stream piles up and it can be downright dangerous.
 
Last edited:
All depends on the day and departure/arrival point, plus speed of your vessel to how much help the stream really provides.

Through the years many speak of it in ways that are way overblown.

Just add it to one thing in your route to consider, it's not magic except in it's romance of the tropics.
 

Attachments

  • 000.png
    000.png
    23.7 KB · Views: 45
Larry M said:
Regardless of your departure point I wouldn’t recommend crossing if there is any northerly wind. With the wind out of the north,the gulf stream piles up and it can be downright dangerous.
Click to expand...

Second the motion. In a northerly, Gulf Stream conditions between South Florida and the Bahama Bank get worse as you approach the axis of the current, where its velocity is the greatest. So what might seem like just another rough day as you're leaving Government Cut, for example, or Port Everglades, can indeed get seriously dangerous when you're far enough out there to start thinking about turning back. That also happens to be the traffic lane for northbound big ships, which can bear down on you with surprising speed. Not wishing to make it sound scary - just always wait out a northerly.
 
Like that you’re also a passage WeatherTrack fan PS. I contribute but at least they aren’t charging you for free information like Windy and the rest. Also like arrows not colors in GRIB files.
 
Below are two helpful links for crossing Lake O. One for lake level, as sometimes we were unable to cross due to low levels, one for navigation notices advising of lock or lift bridge outages.

https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/NTN/
https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/plots/okehp.pdf

Although Bimini is a convenient clearance port we have sometimes bypassed it to clear in the Berry’s or Nassau. Have always left from Key Biscayne anchorage via Stiltsville pass. Slow boat, so we need some southing to hit Bimini or the the North Rock pass. Not sure of current requirements but Key Biscayne is a convenient place for Covid testing if needed.

Safe Travels.
 
You probably need to first decide where you want to go in the Bahamas.If only interested in an Abacos trip then the Okeechobee crossing and a gulf stream crossing from Ft Pierce would be quick and easy.
 
Greetings,
The last time we crossed from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini it took about 8 hours. Our return was about 6 hours. So, yes the GS does have a big? influence on crossing times but we were in no hurry. Good weather both ways. Seas 3' or less.
 
Departure point, destination, boat speed, current weather and stream variances all play into what is going to happen.

Sure average recommendations help but a little here and a little there and suggestions can be quite different from the average or not matter at all...in either direction.

Much like a long trip on google maps...before you go to bed it tells you one route...in the morning because of traffic and accidents it reroutes you. Boating in weather, currents will definitely do that....but some routes are a bit more locked in than others.
 
After over a hundred powerboat crossings, we moved to a sailboat and have done 4 recent crossings. . Even at just 7 kts, I was generally underwhelmed with the GS effect; to the point of even thinking the GS has slowed.
Beyond that thought, why not consider heading S from a northern bahamas point, such as grand bahama, or even gt isaac light? U R fully out of the stream, and arguably safer than running the ditch or dodging the FL offshore fishing/diving/transport scene.
I start trips from st aug, so we do have a lot of ground to cover before the left turn.
 
Less than 50 miles, pick your weather, leave at zero dark thirty, be eating conch salad with a Klick for lunch

:socool:
 

Attachments

  • Miami to Bimini.jpg
    Miami to Bimini.jpg
    102.9 KB · Views: 77
in my opinion, Lake O is slow and boring. The locks are a pain to deal with and you can wind up waiting for a while at each one. Also, they close at 4:30 so you will have to determine if you can make the entire trip in 1 or 2, maybe even 3 days.

I prefer heading south from Boca Grande to the Channel 5 bridge, then riding the GS to Gun Cay when heading to the Exumas (could do other points, depending on where you are headed). Just be sure there are not any Northerly winds forecasted as they will make the GS real snotty.
 
Capt. Rodbone said:
Admittedly being a bit lazy here. Wife and I are probably starting the Great Loop on our GB 42 in a couple of months. I’d say better than 50% chance we go over to the Bahamas for a month or so. Question is we will be doing the crossing from Carabelle FL to the FL gulf coast. We don’t really have a desire to do the Keys, but realize that puts us at a better angle for the Gulf Stream if we do. Is that better than going through Okachobee, and then south some from Stuart? If it makes sense to cross the lake how far south do you go to make the crossing?
Click to expand...

Several points to consider:
1. As others have said depends on where you want to go in Bahamas. For your first visit, would suggest the Abacos - are easier both in approach and in finding safe haven from cold fronts.
2. You’ll be going in winter when cold fronts pulse through every 3 to 5 days with winds clocking from NE to S, SW blowing hard to NW as the front passes and then to NE again. Your window to cross the Gulf Stream is when the wind is S during this cycle. It will take several days for the seas to lay down after a strong northerly wind. Wait for forecast 2’ or less seas. Expect to wait for favorable crossing conditions. (Referred to as waiting for weather).
3. All that said, would recommend going south from Stuart on ICW to Lake Worth inlet and wait for weather. Can either go to West End or to Great Sale. Suspect your crossing speed about 8 knots. Will need to aim about 16 to 20 nautical miles south as you cross the stream and let the current take you north (assume about 2k average current velocity). Return back to Florida can be from West End to Lake Worth or ride current north to Fort Pierce. Plan your passage through inlets in Florida for a flood (incoming) tide. Outgoing tides with wind opposing current make the inlets hazardous.
4. Get the Near Bahamas Explorer chart book. Can also get electronic version of Explorer charts for Aqua Maps. Acts as both a cruising guide and the most accurate charts.
5. We hope to get over to the Abacos in your time frame and then go south via Eleuthera to the Exumas. Maybe we’ll see over there!
 
Last edited:
Jc180 sounds like a winner. After investigating this believe your plan makes the most sense for us. Thanks
 
Hippocampus said:
Jc180 sounds like a winner. After investigating this believe your plan makes the most sense for us. Thanks
Click to expand...

You are welcome. Maybe we’ll see you over there! We’ll be aboard Salty Dog, our motor sailor (really a trawler with sails).
 
Jc180 said:
Several points to consider:
1. As others have said depends on where you want to go in Bahamas. For your first visit, would suggest the Abacos - are easier both in approach and in finding safe haven from cold fronts.
2. You’ll be going in winter when cold fronts pulse through every 3 to 5 days with winds clocking from NE to S, SW blowing hard to NW as the front passes and then to NE again. Your window to cross the Gulf Stream is when the wind is S during this cycle. It will take several days for the seas to lay down after a strong northerly wind. Wait for forecast 2’ or less seas. Expect to wait for favorable crossing conditions. (Referred to as waiting for weather).
3. All that said, would recommend going south from Stuart on ICW to Lake Worth inlet and wait for weather. Can either go to West End or to Great Sale. Suspect your crossing speed about 8 knots. Will need to aim about 16 to 20 nautical miles south as you cross the stream and let the current take you north (assume about 2k average current velocity). Return back to Florida can be from West End to Lake Worth or ride current north to Fort Pierce. Plan your passage through inlets in Florida for a flood (incoming) tide. Outgoing tides with wind opposing current make the inlets hazardous.
4. Get the Near Bahamas Explorer chart book. Can also get electronic version of Explorer charts for Aqua Maps. Acts as both a cruising guide and the most accurate charts.
5. We hope to get over to the Abacos in your time frame and then go south via Eleuthera to the Exumas. Maybe we’ll see over there!
Click to expand...

Interesting we may see you there on that crossing. We are still trying to decide a route
 
As said above, get the explorer book, and also get the memory card w the charts for your charplotter.

These are KEY for info on places, and navigating to them. Can’t stress having them enough for a successful trip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

David Hope
Bahamas- Trip Advise
Replies
8
Views
1K
HalcyonDays
H
S
Cruiser instead of Trawler?
3 4 5
Replies
140
Views
10K
psneeld
psneeld
T
Chesapeake Bay members heading south late season
Replies
11
Views
1K
ranger58sb
ranger58sb
S
Florida Condo?
2
Replies
41
Views
4K
cafesport
cafesport
mvweebles
5-mos Cruising Pacific Mexico Q&A
Replies
11
Views
1K
PNW
PNW

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom