Anyone have some Gulf Stream magic?

Lake Worth is relatively full of boats on the hook. Last I heard Vero Beach was filling as well. From the looks of things it would seem something will give this week. At least we all hope so.
 
"Monday Night
East northeast winds 12 to 15 knots near shore to east northeast 14 to 19 knots in the Gulf Stream. Seas 4 to 6 feet near shore and up to 2 to 4 feet in the Gulf Stream. North northeast swell 3 feet. "

Ok this is a new one to me... Higher waves near shore than in the stream with ENE winds??
 
If you buy into the above forcast I have some land out near 40 Mile Bend on the trail to sell you. :)

Going further south and making a dash over to Bimini in one of the small windows makes sense to me. Getting north to GBI from there seems to be available much more often these days.

Bob

PS: So far this year there haven't been any "windows" just a few Port Holes here and there.
 
Nope not buying into that one! LMAO. In Freedom? Wow that would be a ride. A very bad-ugly ride!
 
Hey guys,
Your post are interesting, keep um coming. We have never made the crossing but is on our bucket list. It is very educational to read these posts and follow up on some of the sites your look at to check weather, etc.
We would like to go over in April or May for a week or two. I understand the windows are bigger then. I may be chiming in to ask questions occasionally. Keep us informed when you get across and pictures would be even better.
Thanks for a great forum....
First question=Is a 420 Aft Cabin Sea Ray with two couples onboard a good choice? pros and cons.....
 
In April or May you would definitely find better weather to cross more often. A 420 Sea Ray would be fine. I would be sure to carry or tow some kind of tender. Diesel engines in the Sea Ray I presume?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hap-E-Cruzer

We would like to go over in April or May for a week or two. I understand the windows are bigger then. I may be chiming in to ask questions occasionally. Keep us informed when you get across and pictures would be even better.
Click to expand...


I and, at least, one other boat are planning an annual trip in May. Will probably go out of Lake Worth Inlet to West End then on to the Abacos. (There may be 3 boats but right now it's 2) If possible we are going to hook up with Boatbum as well.

Keep an eye out here. We'll probably start posting plans and such in february or March.

Bob
 
If you want some back ground on the trip we've been on go to my blog at danmapes.blogspot.com I have links to photobucket and all of the Garmin tracks you could want to view with Google Earth. It covers three years starting in NY, the ICW and the Bahamas over the last three Winters. We have only been down the ICW once since we don't feel compelled to go back North with the boat :D
 
Looks like tomorrow is your magic day... Winds have come down to bellow 15 since yesterday aftrrnoon
and will be under 10 shifting SE...

Are you going to go for it?
 
No. Not at this time. We are on the move to Ft. Lauderdale. It might be ok, but might not from there to West End...
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

No. Not at this time. We are on the move to Ft. Lauderdale. It might be ok, but might not from there to West End...

Click to expand...


FLL to Bimini looks pretty good for tomorrow.

Bob
 
Capt. Bill, yes, it's a diesel 420 with 10ft. Walker Bay dingy.
Boatbum, enjoyed the blog. I'll keep checking in.
Thanks.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hap-E-Cruzer

Capt. Bill, yes, it's a diesel 420 with 10ft. Walker Bay dingy.
Boatbum, enjoyed the blog. I'll keep checking in.
Thanks.

Click to expand...


Windows are indeed larger in April and may but there are often periods of stiff breezes in April making things sporty in the stream

Out of Ft Myers, I guess you ll be heading for Bimini which is fine for a couple of days but otherwise limited unless you re into fishing, unlikely with an art cab. In that case cross the bank and explore the berrys which is doable within a week

If you can spare 2 weeks skip the berrys and go spend a full week in heaven aka the exumas
 
Don't know which direction we will take. Most everyone recommends the Abacos for first trip. We will have a couple of weeks and don't intend on having a set schedule. I will definitely be asking for advice when the time comes.
 
As long as choose a time known for good weather you increase your chance for success. Planning a couple of weeks in the Abacos from Florida means you have to run fast and burn some fuel. We waited until April to go to the Exumas and are glad we did. Last year in the Spring it seemed like there were very few crossing windows as well.
Keep in mind that alternatives should be planned in the event you cannot get across. Vacation time is finite so find some good spots in the Keys as well.
 
I dont understand the Exumas. Winter is stormy mostly from the north or east but there should be strong winds from the south after each front passes as well making anchorages exposed to the west and suth west difficult as well.
 
Bruce that is one of the reasons we waited. First, we needed a decent crossing from Little Harbour. Second, we did not want to be hung out on a mooring ball with a stout West wind. While there are spots to duck into most places are exposed and Staniel Cay Yacht Club will tell you to leave if there is a strong Westerly.
Given the Exumas are merely a bunch of rocks in the middle of nowhere, the attraction is the water and some of the other goofey things down there like the pigs, iguanas etc.. I know, it's a long way to go but we still found it worth the expense. The water is THAT clear there.
 
From FLL/MIA the distance to the exumas is pretty much the same as it is to the abacos and I ll pick the exumas. There are many places to anchor in a cold front as the strongest winds are NW to N and NE. That said it is true that SCYC is exposed to the W and NW and it s not where you want to be but on the hook is fine

Also, being further S and E the fronts are a little weaker than they are in the northern Bahamas

I find the number of anchorages as well as the quality to be much higher.
 
There just seems to be no ond in sight for this wind. Where are you now? View from your webcam looks different.

Bob
 
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