Headed to Bimini Friday,, first time

[alzira2]

Hello all,
I am headed to Bimini weather permitting on Friday in my 36 cruisers with twins. I normally cruise around 30 so the quick trip from lauderdale or Miami is not too intimidating. Normally I stick to the keys but we want to start exploring the keys. I wanted to see if anyone had advice on where people meet up to cross together?
The winds are about supposed to be 15 from the east so I am expecting a rough but safe ride across. I think this is reasonable?

[Stu Jackson]

"Now" you ask?!?

What if nobody is reading?

Have a safe journey.

[Get-away]

Never leave port on a Friday.

[Dave852]

I am seeing more like 15-20. Unfortunately I may have to cross this week as well. I am not looking forward to it. If you can wait till next week it may be better. I leave from the keys and travel at a different speed so not interested in meeting up. Safe travels.

[CSY Man]

No-Name harbor is a staging area for folks crossing to the Bahamas.
Same with Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale.
Not a good idea to cross when the winds are 15-20 from the East, it gets lumpy out there

Looks like the forecast is for seas with waves up to 9 feet:

http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.ph...650&syn=amz600

I would stay in Biscayne Bay, safe and sound

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, alzira.

[Seriously Slow]

Originally Posted by Dave852

I am seeing more like 15-20. Unfortunately I may have to cross this week as well. I am not looking forward to it. If you can wait till next week it may be better. I leave from the keys and travel at a different speed so not interested in meeting up. Safe travels.

We also will be leaving for our first crossing to the Bahamas early next week but sailing from Marathon. It appears you may leave from Tavernier, so what route and check-in location will you use?
Thanks for any advice you may have.

[CSY Man]

Originally Posted by Seriously Slow

We also will be leaving for our first crossing to the Bahamas early next week but sailing from Marathon. It appears you may leave from Tavernier, so what route and check-in location will you use?
Thanks for any advice you may have.

Again, if it is windy and lumpy, I recommend not crossing.
Been there, done that, I have crossed 29 times, each way.
Old Chinese proverb: The Most Dangerous Thing on a Sailboat is a Calendar.
If can be pretty rough out there and hard on equipment and crew, don't go if you are beating into 20 knots and 9 feet waves.
Hang out in Biscayne Bay and enjoy life.

[Dave852]

Originally Posted by Seriously Slow

We also will be leaving for our first crossing to the Bahamas early next week but sailing from Marathon. It appears you may leave from Tavernier, so what route and check-in location will you use?
Thanks for any advice you may have.

Our normal route is Tavernier via s riding rock via nw channel to morgans bluff. Check in at morgans bluff then s of Nassau to shroud. Then to Stainial then Water Cay via backside of Great Exuma. Agree with other posters you should wait till end of next week sometime around the 21st when wind lays down.
I am leaving in the morning from Tavernier due to bad planing hoping the NAM has a better handle on the trough than the GFS model. We shall see and I have no problem to turn around if my crew is puking.
No sense in making your trip longer, sail up to Tavernier or Key Largo and leave from here.

[Ken Z]

wfw, wait for weather. 15 k from the east in the gulf stream can be ugiy, seas from three sides are not uncommon.

[conchaway]

If you make it, say hello to my family at Weech's Bimini Bay Dock.
Leon, in Fort Pierce.

[hamburking]

The clock and calendar are no friend to the sailor.
Except when calculating tides.

Go when the forecast is good.

[a64pilot]

If you go into that kind of sea, you will be doing real well to make 8 kts.
That ought to be bow high, but not on plane, check your fuel burn there too.
Unless they are long slow rollers, your not planeing in this kind of sea, and if you try you will beat you and the boat to pieces.
It will be a very unpleasant crossing

[pdenton]

On a motorboat it will be a nightmare. Maybe your last one.
pdenton

[Riverside]

passageweather.com predicts 4-6 foot seas all day Friday. You will be really sorry if you try to cross in those conditions. The first good day is Tuesday. Wait and go then, or reschedule your trip.