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Old 04-08-2013, 21:24   #1
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Sailing in the Bahamas

If you where going to spend 90 days in the Bahamas and wanted to see it all what direction would you go? West end clock wise on down to Georgetown. Or Georgetown counter clockwise to West end. This would include all of the Abacos. I'd like to avoid powering as much as possible. It is a sailboat. Think prevailing winds and such. Thanks
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Old 05-08-2013, 06:39   #2
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Re: Sailing in the Bahamas

If you're planning to go over the winter, sailing the Exumas first will keep you in relatively better weather as the winter fronts don't all make it that far or with the same intensity as in the Abacos. Prevailing winds are NE in the winter shifting more to the SE in the summer (I've only been there in the winter and spring). Have fun!
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Old 05-08-2013, 07:15   #3
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Re: Sailing in the Bahamas

I would do either depending on the timing of the trip. As Mike points out, winter trades tend to be NE, summer more SE.

So if I was leaving in the late summer/early fall (yes I know, that's hurricane season) and had SE winds I might head to the Abacos first and do a clockwise. If departure time gave more NE winds I would think about Exumas and the counter-clockwise route.

Just remember that the seasonal wind directions of NE or SE are tendencies and not a guarantee. In particular during winter weather patterns you can get fronts from the north that will give you winds from the north or west. Timed correctly this can give you a great boost to the eastern side of the Bahamas, but be careful trying this. Timed incorrectly you can get your butt kicked in the Gulf Stream. I timed it wrong once leaving from Lake Worth and a day later limped into Ft Pierce somewhat worse for wear.
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Old 05-08-2013, 07:44   #4
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Re: Sailing in the Bahamas

How are you going to get to the Exumas, if you're going there first? A much longer trip from FL -

not to say it can't be done...

And when you say you want to "see it all" does that include Great Inagua? The Ragged Islands? Andros? Do you want to "see it all" or just do all the stuff that everybody else does?

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...mas-85287.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...age-87427.html
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Old 05-08-2013, 07:56   #5
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Re: Sailing in the Bahamas

Good luck....you have a great boat for the bahamas.
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Old 05-08-2013, 08:08   #6
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Re: Sailing in the Bahamas

It really doesn't matter which way you go. Sooner or later you'll have a fair breeze if you're sailing in winter as the wind will clock when a front approaches and you can take advantage of that. Your best bet is to do the Exumas and south first because the weather is usually better. Save Abaco till later in the spring.
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