West Palm to Freeport Crossing

[tompands]

Is there anyone who knows about groups of boaters that do the crossing from West Palm to the Bahamas together ? I would like to get in touch with them. Someone said to just get to the West Palm area and get on the VHF. I was hoping for a little bit more info on it. I want to make the crossing but have never done it before. Any suggestions would help,Thanks,Tom

[Troubadour52993]

In the 6 months I spent in Lake Worth, I didn't see organized groups of boaters, but people did dinghy around and get on the VHF to cross with other boats. In the spring, sailboats would queue up for the weather windows, but it's been pretty light and variable lately so I doubt many are stacking up.

A lot of crossing to the Abacos this time of year is power boats popping over for fishing or lobster, and I've never seen them queue up. Get a forecast, take a look, and then zoom over.

[riptide]

I second Troubador.Done it 30+ times and as long as you check weather and have twin engines it's no problem .Alot of times you'll be in sight of other boats crossing from other inlets.

[svHyLyte]

With your boat--Chapparal 290--you should be able to make the run very easily and quickly under the right circumstances of wind and weather. The more salient question is how well the boat will handle big seas which can develop quickly if there is a change in the weather--which can also happen quickly on Florida's east coast.

FWIW...

[AnchorageGuy]

The Bahamas offers what they call a Boating Fling,
Boating Flings | The Bahamas
in which they will caravan a group of boats over to the Bahamas. You can continue in the group once you arrive or go off on your own. It can be great fun. Chuck

[speciald@ocens.]

I've got a question. If I am passing throught Bahamian waters with no intention of stopping on my way to the Caribbean - do I still have to pay the fee?

[Ram]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

I've got a question. If I am passing throught Bahamian waters with no intention of stopping on my way to the Caribbean - do I still have to pay the fee?

only if your fishing

[carlpat]

We cross from either Stuart or West Palm to Freeport each year, usually in November. This year we will probably cross about the 2nd week in November.
We have a 46' Bertram and cruise 16 to 18 knots depending on sea conditions.
When were you looking to cross?
Carl

[capngeo]

The SeaRayers go a lot..... They look like a line of elephants attached trunk to tail. I was in Lucaya once when they came.... One of the most comical episodes of docking I ever witnessed

[tompands]

Originally Posted by carlpat

We cross from either Stuart or West Palm to Freeport each year, usually in November. This year we will probably cross about the 2nd week in November.
We have a 46' Bertram and cruise 16 to 18 knots depending on sea conditions.
When were you looking to cross?
Carl

I'm not sure. It's just an idea I have.....nothing set in stone. How long does it take you at that speed? What do you think about making that trip in a 30 footer? The ocean is calmer in the winter months, I assume.

[tompands]

Originally Posted by capngeo

The SeaRayers go a lot..... They look like a line of elephants attached trunk to tail. I was in Lucaya once when they came.... One of the most comical episodes of docking I ever witnessed

Is that a club of some sort? Do you have any idea how to get in touch with them? I might just fit right in with them...my wife tells me i'm comical all the time.

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by tompands

I'm not sure. It's just an idea I have.....nothing set in stone. How long does it take you at that speed? What do you think about making that trip in a 30 footer? The ocean is calmer in the winter months, I assume.

My last crossing was in a north wind of about 8 knots in a 30 foot Hunter. That was an upgrade from my previous 26-foot sailboats which I crossed in with up to 20 knots south (and one attempt at 35 SE which was not pleasant)

What I have taken to doing, is getting a pre-dawn start and arriving at WE around 3:00.

[carlpat]

Originally Posted by tompands

I'm not sure. It's just an idea I have.....nothing set in stone. How long does it take you at that speed? What do you think about making that trip in a 30 footer? The ocean is calmer in the winter months, I assume.

Stuart to Lucaya (just past Freeport) is 100 miles which usually takes us 5 to 6 hours. No winter is not necessarily calmer. We try to pick a day when the Gulf Stream is fairly calm. Wind out of the South or West is best. North is worst, fights the Gulf Stream and can get pretty nasty. You should be able to make it in your 30 footer just fine, if you pick a reasonable day. If you want you can follow across behind us, as we tend to flatten it out some. Plus we usually try to find another boat to cross with anyway for safety.
Carl