Bahamas, Caribbean seas

[tuffr2]

Are these waters calm in the early AM and then kick-up mid morning? I was there last January but was not on the water early. I know by the afternoon the wind was 25kts. But are they always that way or is in calm in the early morning.?



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[MarkJ]

The Bahamas and the Caribbean are two different weather patterns. Once south of the Porto Rican trench its true tropical trade winds and the winds blow 24 hours per day having a day off at Christmas. OK not even Christmas. They have a bit of time off in the Hurricane season. Their systems come from the atlantic and can originate in Africa.

The Bahamas when I was there for a few months have a much more varied wind pattern caused by systems coming off the USA. The winds there tend to be lighter, with more calms and daily variation.
Others who cruise that area extensively will be able to tell you more.


Mark

[pistarckle]

In the Carib as I remember , the winds are much the same year round except as noted below . Winds in winter will have a north mixed in the easterlies , in the summer a little south mixed in . Fall sometimes will have days of near calm . Mid December the Christmas Winds will blow 25 knots or so for several weeks and then lesson to 10 to 15 , which is common for all winter .
Bahamas wind and weather are much like Florida weather , short thunder storms many afternoons , variable winds in strength and direction .

[tuffr2]

When I was there this Jan a tour guide said that winter was the windy season. That is exactly what you guys are saying. So it blows even at night...ugh. The wind can really beat you up. Even when on land.

That makes sense that you need a sailboat that can take the rough water if you want to island hop.

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[colemj]

The Bahamas and Caribbean sea are actually four different weather patterns (and describe a very large and varied area): Bahamas, Eastern Carib, Southern Caribe, Western Caribe. The Bahamas and Western Caribe are more variable and highly effected by cold fronts. The Eastern is as described above, and the Southern a whole grab-bag of weather between Columbia and Nicaragua.

Mark

[pistarckle]

The wind in the Carib takes a few days to get used to . Many who stay and sail for a living will reduce the ares of the main sail by reversing the roach . Large roller sails should be left on shore . You get used to sailing in 15 to 25 knts and unless passing between islands the sea are no problem. There are very few days when you will see a 130 % jib or larger .

[tuffr2]

I loaded a two locations a few days ago to my weather app, 1 in the Bahamas and 1 in the Carib. Can anyone there verify what my weather app is telling me.

That the winds have died down? 2 - 4 kts. At night and 4 to 6 kts during the day? That is much less wind than I expected.

Thanks

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[Cheechako]

In the Caribe, I found not enough wind to even sail in the lee of the islands almost allt he time.... and up to 40 knots in the gaps between the islands! Wind to sail between widely spaced islands.

[MarkJ]

its 15 off shore.

[tuffr2]

Interesting...my weather app locations are on land and no way to get the wind speed between islands so thanks for the 1st hand account. Can't beat that.

So, I should plan on using an engine to get around or at least away from one island far enough to pick up the wind?



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[pistarckle]

Tuffr2 , there is wind below the islands if you move out from under the wind shadow .
Boats have been sailing here for hundreds of years before engines or apps.