Passage BVI to Miami

[waltfuller1]

I am moving a 42 ft. sloop from the BVI to Miami, leaving 11/29/14, with one stop in Provedenciales/Turks and Caicos. I am looking for the most advantageous route to take advantage of trade winds/current/gulfstream. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Walt Fuller

[bvimatelot]

Hi Walt,

From Provo where I would check the weather forecast, I normally take the old Bahama channel to go to Miami. If I'm going, say, to Fort Lauderdale, I usually go up and through the NE/NW Providence channels. Mind you, to get across the Gulf Stream from that angle, you have to aim for Miami to make Lauderdale!

Its an easy run - 8/9 days, depending on your boats average SOG. Tony

[waltfuller1]

Thanks, Tony! I'm not familiar with the "Old Bahama Channel" - would I pass south of Turks and Caicos/Providenciales, intersect the gulfstream south of Miami and then go north/northwest?

[bvimatelot]

You can do, and it would be more direct line. However, going slightly "up" to Provo would not hurt and, if you like, widens your choice since you can decide from Provo, based on the forecast of what the wind is going to be doing, whether to take the Southerly, Old Bahama channel, or Northerly through the NE/NW Providence channel. Depending on your draught there are routes across the Bank but someone else will have to chip in here - I've never done them!