Crossing Bank to Chub Cay

[Diversion]

Crossing great bahamas bank soon from FT Lauderdale. Have Explorer Charts. Any pros and cons regarding starting from Hen & Chickens vs Moselle Bank? Thanks,

 

[PascalG]

not sure which Hen and Chicken your are referring too, dont' see it on my Explorer charts. I usually stop in Bimini out of Miami before proceeding to Chub and Nassau and come on the bank jsut south of the Turtle rock, by the Sapona, then go SE to clear the shallows east of gun/cat, to the "Cat Cay" Waypoint on explorer charts. easy route, although at low tide there are some 8 to 9' spots just east of the Cat Cay waypoint.

I find this entry easier and deeper than the more commonly used entry between Cat and Gun. Also, depending on your draft avoid the route thru the waypoint east of Turtle rocks, it's 7' MLW or less (i backed out at 7 1/2 so there may actually be less).

if you're not sure about the route east of Cat Cay, then you're better off just coming north off Bimini (north rock) and cut across north of Mackie Shoal towards Chub. From FTL this is your most direct route.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

(Hens & Chickens, PG. 15 Near Bahamas Explorer Chartbook, middle top of the page)

I've gone both ways. Depends on weather, time of day and draft of boat. You get on the banks a bit sooner going to Moselle. But have slightly less water for a while as you first cross the banks.

I like H&C if I'm going to be getting there after dark.

If I go the way Pascal mentioned, I go south of Triangle Rocks where there's a bit more water for a while.

 

[PascalG]

oh, north of Moselle! ok, i see now... i've done the run from Great Harbor (Berry) to North Rock, plenty of water, much deeper than east of Cat Cay which is really the shallowest spot on that run.