Bahamas - Marsh Harbour to Freeport

[Frostbight]

Good day, All. I would be grateful for advice on the best route from Marsh Harbour to Freeport (for layup over the hurricane season). Catalina 387 drawing 5' 6" plus (consider 6 ' minimum depth with some fudges). Thanks!

[Capt. Greg]

Are you going to haul out at Freeport? If so it is a long haul from Marsh Harbor. If your boat is already in Marsh Harbor, there are boatyards there and on Green Turtle as well as other yards in the Abacos where you can haul out for the season.

That being said, the most protected route to get to Freeport would be sail the Sea of Abaco to the Little Bahama Banks to Sale Cay then to Mangrove and hit Indian Passage on a rising tide which will put on on West End. From West End you'll take the ocean to Freeport. Routes can be found in Exploror Chartbooks and Steve Dodge's Cruising Guide to the Abacos. That route will allow you ample anchorages along the way.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

[Palarran]

No offense Capt Greg, but if you think Marsh Harbor to Freeport is a long haul, you haven't done a long haul. It's a 150nm either way.

Frostbight,
It really depends on the wind forecast and what you want to do. If the wind is forecast to be from the South and strong, go over the top. If it's from the North and strong, go South, an East wind will give you options for either. With a good East wind if you go around the bottom of Abaco it's a full day sail (24hrs). I wouldn't do the bank over night but it certainly can be done.

My cousin, who coincidentally is from Denver also, will be taking Palarran back to Freeport starting next Saturday. Right now they will probably go over the top as they want to explore the Bahama bank a little bit along the way. We are hauling out at Bradford Marine.