Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 11-01-2017, 11:53   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Gulf Stream Where is it?

Is has been a long while since I sailed up and down the east coats, and when I did it was as a grinder on a racing boat. I paid little attention to navigation at that time , so here is my question. How do you determine the location of the stream? I know that it changes from day to day and that there is a change in water temperature, that's it. Do the current instruments available let you know where it is?

I'm current living is south FL ( Delray Beach ) and would like to crew for races, or just a nice sail. I have recently retired so I'm almost always available.
joeelliott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 12:12   #2
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: May 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue.
Posts: 3,974
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

The easy way is to go to NOAA and take a look at their Gulf Stream maps.

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/sst/ima...CurrWatlGS.png
__________________
Greg

- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
Stumble is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 17:59   #3
Senior Cruiser

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon to Alaska
Boat: Wheeler Shipyard 83' ex USCG
Posts: 3,499
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

Also water temp. Most commercial fishermen have sea water temperature gauges. Either as a thru hull or in the incoming salt water cooling line.
Many fish species are targeted by the water temp they like.
Lepke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2017, 19:07   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central California
Boat: Samson C Mist 32
Posts: 680
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

My favorite site for this kind of information is Earth.nullschool.net. It has currents, waves, winds at various altitudes, temperatures. Another site is windyty.
Steve Bean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 10:52   #5
Registered User

Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 84
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

There are forecasts available. Ocean charts show an average position.
If your chartplotter shows you are moving at a different speed than your knotmeter, and your gps heading is at odds with your compass, you might be in an ocean stream.

Simple answer, it's on some charts.

In reality, you may want to use it, or cross it as quickly as possible to avoid fighting it.
Get a good navigator. NEVER volunteer to be navigator, it's a thankless job. And you only get respect AFTER the rest of the crew wonders why you said something so early.
Or you went straight to a dark mark, off a strange port..
Redpcx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 11:24   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,180
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

Raymarine speed logs have a built in sea temperature sensor.

Another way is to flush the head and take the temperature of the incoming water....
__________________
A little bit about Chile can be found here https://www.docdroid.net/bO63FbL/202...anchorages-pdf
El Pinguino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 11:36   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 689
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

or use a infrared thermometer- the same one useful for engine analysis. Just "shoot" the water.
maine50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 12:00   #8
Registered User
 
Suijin's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Redpcx View Post
In reality, you may want to use it, or cross it as quickly as possible to avoid fighting it.
Get a good navigator. NEVER volunteer to be navigator, it's a thankless job. And you only get respect AFTER the rest of the crew wonders why you said something so early.
I've served as navigator/communications on a number of ocean races. It really is the worst job, largely because you spend so much time below deck that you start to feel like a mole. In addition you don't really get to follow the watch schedule so you're a really tired mole.

That said, when you win, you're hailed as a genius.

And yes NOAA's maps show the stream pretty clearly. You may need to look at a bunch of them over a few grabs since cloud cover can obscure parts of it. It does not really move all that much...the meanders certain move more than the main stream, and the eddies even more. The eddies are important as they can either give you a boost or slow you down and it's worth trying to chart your course accordingly if you're in an area where they are prevalent. Heading south along the west side you can play the eddies pretty beneficially.

If possible try and time your crossing in a sou'westerly breeze. If you hit it during a norther you'll get your teeth knocked out.
Suijin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 13:57   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Rappahanock River, Va
Boat: Caliber 47
Posts: 186
Re: Gulf Stream Where is it?

NOAA weather radio broadcast!
Caliber40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
gulf stream

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Crossing gulf stream Red44 Atlantic & the Caribbean 7 26-06-2008 18:31
The Gulf Stream in a Hurricaine clsailor The Sailor's Confessional 25 17-09-2007 05:37
Gulf Stream Crossing Goes Bad markpj23 The Sailor's Confessional 8 18-06-2006 17:07
Gulf Stream Counter Current / Northwest Cuba ? alaskadog Atlantic & the Caribbean 2 22-08-2005 16:51
Gulf Stream Crossing GordMay Atlantic & the Caribbean 0 17-04-2003 20:12

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:28.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.