Morehead City/Beaufort, NC to the Exumas

[kk703hh]

I am leaving in my 36 ft S2 around the first of January 2009, to make this trip. I plan to cross the Gulf Stream and head SE then tack back towards the Exumas.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken this route to Georgetown, Exumas.

Thanks,

Keith

[AnchorageGuy]

In January you will find it difficult to find a decent weather window off the US east coast to do that trip. Even after crossing the Gulf Stream it is going to be rough ride, especially in a S2.

[AnchorageGuy]

Here is a current discussion that illustrates what I mean
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ned-21821.html

[s/v Moondancer]

In the process of the trip myself...presently in Miami.

Don't even think of the offshore route in winter. We saw 40 knots and 15 to 20 ft seas mid November north of Charleston.

Come down the coast staying on the beach south of Canaveral to stay out of the fringes of the Gulf Stream that runs 1-2 knots in sight of land. Get your southing on this side and then cross the Gulf Stream from Miami or Key Largo and then cross the Bahama Bank.


Phil

[camaraderie]

Sorry...but don't even think about doing that.
Get a copy of Dodge's Guide to SE US inlets and inlet hop when the weather permits, otherwise stick to the ICW if you don't wanna be a statistic.

[kk703hh]

Thanks for the input Cam, but frankly it is not much help w/o some justification of why you think I would become a "Statistic". I have sailed off shore in rough and smooth waters several times. I am looking for input as to WHY you believe the sail (7 days) would be perilous and at what point would it get better.

If you can provide more input that would be welcome. Have you ever made the trip? If not, what have you heard that makes you concerned.

[witzgall]

kk703hh;

I think he says that because every year there is one or two boats that falter, or at least the crews do, off of the east coast in the winter. So he is just writing as a prudent sailor. Chances are you will be fine. But there is that chance - more so now than in the warmer months.

Perhaps a weather routing service would be a good idea?
Chris

[Hud3]

Hi, Keith.

If you're planning to sail that route in January (or anytime, for that matter), you should be looking at the pertinent weather sources on a daily basis to get a feel for what you'll be faced with out there. Maybe you've been doing that already.

As the winter season approaches, the cold fronts get closer together and more violent, so you're virtually guaranteed to see a couple of strong gales or storms on the trip you're planning. In, and east of the Gulf Stream the weather intensifies due to the heat energy available from the Stream, so the winds you experience inshore are not representative of what you'll see offshore. So, you and your boat need to be prepared for two 3-day periods of 35-60 kt winds (possibly higher), and sea states commensurate with those windspeeds. You could encounter icing conditions, as well.

Most of those sailing south for the winter season choose to go in November, when the chance of encountering a tropical storm is lower, but the winter storms haven't begun yet. In November, you'll likely see a single three day gale (35-45 kts). Sometimes it will be just a front with squalls (25-35 kts). Making the passage in November is a much more manageable risk compared to later on in the winter.

[AnchorageGuy]

Add to Hud's comments that an S2 36 was never built for those kinds of conditions and you have your answer. I am intimately familiar with that boat so that is not speculation.