6 foot draft and the Great Bahama Bank

[ReMetau]

Planning on sailing to the Bahamas some time in March. It was suggested that we check in at Gun Cay and then cross the Great Bahama Bank to the Northwest Channel.

Any problems with a 6 foot draft going through Gun Cay Cut and then across the bank?

After that we plan to go to the Exumas via New Providence and Yellow Bank.

[Auspicious]

I crossed the Yellow Banks last year drawing 6' using Explorer Charts. I don't recall seeing less than 8' anywhere. Kept a bow watch for coral for about two hours during the thick of the bank. No problems.

[witchcraft]

Keep the bow watch and all should be well. We met a chap last year with an eight foot keel who went all over the place. Granted he had been doing it for years and knew all the spots. The point is that it is doable.
Fair Winds

[AnchorageGuy]

Don & Diana, We have done the route you are considering a number of times with our 6 foot draft, even a night crossing, with no issues whatsoever. You do need to know where you are when passing through Cat/Gun and do have the Explorer Charts. Chuck

[Beausoleil]

Don,

Last year we headed south down the Tongue of the Ocean and crossed the bank below the White Bank at about 24 50.5 on an easterly course to Highborne Cay, roughly along the Fresh Creek route in the Explorer Exumas chartbook. Plenty of depth for Beausoleil's 6.5'.

Re-Metau should have no problems all the way down to Staniel Cay - that's as far as we got before heading back north...

[Otia]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

Don & Diana, We have done the route you are considering a number of times with our 6 foot draft, even a night crossing, with no issues whatsoever. You do need to know where you are when passing through Cat/Gun and do have the Explorer Charts. Chuck

I would not cross the Yellow Bank at night...