crossing to the exumas

[Cheechako]

can you still clear in at Chubb just after Northwest Light? I did that once. It was easy and no Nassau hassle.... Entered at night using radar.... checked in next am. You definitely dont want to be crossing the Stream with 25 NE!

[pjvoyage50]

Unfortunately we did a no no and have to meet my sister and her three daughters in Georgetown on the 23rd so we can't do the Abacos route. We know better but I couldn't resist having them with us during the girl's spring break.
The Captain is now talking about leaving Biscayne Channel at dark on Monday and going straight to Chubb for Tuesday night. We would probably have to stay at the marina for Wednesday due to the high winds and everything the forum has said about holding there but they do take off the customs check in fee of $100 so it is not as bad to stay there. I just don't know how long we will be stuck there.
My husband wanted to ask Waterwayguy why he wouldn't do the banks Monday and Tuesday before the front? Is it because you might get stuck there?

[svpattyd]

Could their flight be changed to arrive in Staniel Cay or Black Point? Might be a way to pick them up and then take them to Georgetown.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by pjvoyage50

My husband wanted to ask Waterwayguy why he wouldn't do the banks Monday and Tuesday before the front? Is it because you might get stuck there?

First, you will have to get on the Banks which means leaving Monday morning. The seas will still be up, and the winds may be out of East at 15 to 20. You will be driving directly into it. You'll probably have at least 15 Monday night and then Tuesday 15 out of the Southeast. That's if the front doesn't speed up, and it looks like that's a possibility. Then you are looking at much stronger winds. We have found over the years that the actual winds in open waters are almost always at least 5 knots more than forecast. We also have learned the hard way to NEVER try and outrun a front. When you loose the race you regret it. Of course, this is just our opinion and everyone must make their own decisions based on their boat, skills and comfort levels. These same conditions might be a blast, no pun intended, to some, just not to us. Chuck

[fishead]

Since you're on a schedule, I'd be ready to leave on Monday morning and listen to the weather conditions and as soon as the wind starts going to the southwest I'd go straight for North rock * . Don't forget to figure in about 2.5 kts of north current. Once you get on the banks you can't really stop if it's blowing but you won't be punching in to a head sea and you can make good time. You won't get big seas like in the gulfstream but you can get short steep seas on the beam or aft and it might not be comfortable . Just reef down so you're not over powered and enjoy the sail. I'm assuming you're on a sailboat in good condition and have some idea what you're doing. Just remember to reef early and it's better to be underpowered than overpowered.

* I wouldn't even consider leaving with southeast winds.

[pjvoyage50]

Good advice. If we did the overnight we would not head for the banks (Cat Cay) but N Rock and continue on across the banks in daylight.I agree about being careful in not trying to outrun a front. In going up to North Rock, I guess the SE winds would be beating too much, correct?

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by pjvoyage50

Good advice. If we did the overnight we would not head for the banks (Cat Cay) but N Rock and continue on across the banks in daylight.I agree about being careful in not trying to outrun a front. In going up to North Rock, I guess the SE winds would be beating too much, correct?

Once you get into the stream you'll be steering 130 degrees to make North Rock - right into a SE breeze, right on the nose, about 25 knots apparent, not too nice.

[pjvoyage50]

OMGoodness! Definitely don't want to do that! Didn't actually calculate the course yet (mostly because I didn't want to go forward with the night crossing idea). WE just listened to the NOAA weather on the VHF and the waves are 4-8 with occasional 10' waves Monday and still 6-8 on Tuesday. I guess it will be a scrap fpr now and weight and see for the end of next week. Thanks for your help as well as the others and hope you are in a safe place and get to continue your trip soon. Maybe we will all luck out and the front will blow through quickly so we can enjoy the Exumas!

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

We are leaving for the Bahamas on Tuesday morning too, but leaving from Lake Worth. Any suggestions on where to go if trying to get to the Exumas ASAP? Should we stop in Nassau and check in or is there a better place? Our goal is to get to Georgetown.


Thanks,

Matt

Matt
Take a look at Great Harbour Cay Marina at the top of the Berrys in Bullocks Harbour. We cleared in there last month after leaving Ft Lauderdale and running down the NW Providence Channel. Easy clear in, friendly dock folks and cheaper than Nassau, etc. If the front comes in before you get past the Berrys, you could hang there till it lays down. Nice, empty anchorages running down the Berrys too.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by svpattyd

Could their flight be changed to arrive in Staniel Cay or Black Point? Might be a way to pick them up and then take them to Georgetown.

From my experience, it is much easier to fly into Staniel Cay on Watermaker Air, than to fly into Georgetown on Bahama Air. You can walk to the airport on Staniel Cay. Not to mention, Staniel Cay is about ten times nicer than Georgetown (unless you really need the whole snuggling with 200 other boats thing).

[Kettlewell]

Or, they could fly into Nassau and sail with you down to the Exumas--we've done that before with guests, and they enjoyed the trip across the banks down there.

[fishead]

Originally Posted by pjvoyage50

OMGoodness! Definitely don't want to do that! Didn't actually calculate the course yet (mostly because I didn't want to go forward with the night crossing idea). WE just listened to the NOAA weather on the VHF and the waves are 4-8 with occasional 10' waves Monday and still 6-8 on Tuesday. I guess it will be a scrap fpr now and weight and see for the end of next week. Thanks for your help as well as the others and hope you are in a safe place and get to continue your trip soon. Maybe we will all luck out and the front will blow through quickly so we can enjoy the Exumas!

Sent you a PM.

[Matt Johnson]

Unless something changes today, we have decided to wait it out as well. Lets hope next weekend is good. Its a shame, we worked our rear ends off to make it to Lake Worth in time to leave tomorrow.... dang weather. This whole sailing thing would be so much easier with no wind

[sestina]

You don't have to go into a marina to clear in at Nassau. Call Harbour Control for permission and tie up inside of the cruise ship docks. Customs/immigration are just round the corner.

Then you can be on your way out of one of the nastiest places on an Atlantic Circuit without having to shell out for a berth.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

can you still clear in at Chubb just after Northwest Light? I did that once. It was easy and no Nassau hassle.... Entered at night using radar.... checked in next am. You definitely dont want to be crossing the Stream with 25 NE!

Last time I cleared, I did it there (Nov. 2010). I had heard horror stories of cruisers only getting visa's for 60 days aor three months. The official asked me how long I wanted a visa for and I said, "Six months, if that's okay." He gave me seven months.