Bahamas Route

[swiss-sailor]

Dear Sailing Friends

We would like to go on a sailing trip with a group of ten (friends and family) in February '17 to the Bahamas. The trips duration is 14 days and we have a rather thight time plan and a route of about SM 350 with our Lagoon '52.

It would be our first time in the Bahamas and before we plan the route in detail (which we more or less already did) we would like to ask experienced sailors (or Bahamas sailors) if this route is even realistic... maybe you also have other tips for this region.

Our starting point will be Marsh Harbour, sailing with stops all the way south to Eleuthera, having a couple of days there and then sail over to Nassau and from there back to Spanish Wells (Eleuthera) and back to Great Abaco (please see attachments for further details).

Is this a route which you would support or is this completely insane? What would you recommend with regard to Bahamas?

Thank you very very much for your help!
Stephan

[swiss-sailor]

Here are some more pictures of the route

[swiss-sailor]

and some more

[capn_mark]

Hi there,
Is it your boat, or a charter?


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[swiss-sailor]

Hi Capn Mark

Thank you for your qestion. It is a charter boat.

[Lowcountry]

You'll never cover that much ground in two weeks in the upper Bahamas in February. Cold fronts (winds) will be an issue. I would stick to the Abacos for a trip that short with a rigid timeframe. Marsh Harbour to Guana immediately for drinks and beach. Then north to Green Turtle Cay, then a few days at Manjack Cay and then back down to Guana before going to Hopetown. Finally Little Harbor at the bottom of Great Abaco before heading back up to Marsh Harbour area. You will probably still feel constrained for time.

[CarlF]

I agree with LowCountry - Bahamas winter weather is unpredictable. You can easily be held in port for 4-5 days by a passing cold front. There's more than enough in Abacos to keep you busy and entertained for two weeks.

This also means that even planning a route months ahead is a waste of time. Instead, pick places you'd like to go. Let the weather forecast determine the route and schedule.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

You'll never cover that much ground in two weeks in the upper Bahamas in February. Cold fronts (winds) will be an issue.

SNIP

Agree that cold fronts can result in 20+ knot winds out of the North for days at a time.

What the OP did not post was what he and his homies expect out of the trip. Even half way experienced sailors could sail the route he posted. The thing is that would be about all they could do. Not to mention bashing against 20+ knot head winds is not every ones idea of fun. But that may be what they want to do.

I am a diver and photographer and next trip I hope to take my quadcopter and capture some good footage. This means spending time in somewhat protected water and on land in places away from crowds where I can fly the quad. Not saying this is what everyone is looking for; just me.

Some folks like to stay near bars and places they can eat out every night. Others may want to go to less crowded places and possibly be the only boat in the anchorage.

With more details about what the OP is expecting to do on the trip it would be easier to advise him about a route.

[laika]

As others said, whatever you plan will be great as long as there's never the obligation just to make miles!

[Dulcesuenos]

Spent all last Jan and Feb in Berries, Spanish Wells / Eleuthra, Cat and Exumas. As others have said there are a lot of cold fronts from the N. You could wait a week for a weather window just trying to get back to the Abacos. Yh will not make headway against 20 KTs of wind in the open water out there.
There are a lot of great spots in the Abacos for snorkeling, diving, etc. It is a great place to spend 2+ weeks.


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[swiss-sailor]

Hi all

Thank you all so much for your answers, I'm overwhelmed.
We love to sail and we don't want just to let our anchor three or four days on the same spot.
My first question would be: is i possible to really sail at great abaco? isn't the water too shallow?

which spots would you recommend at great abaco for a two weeks trip?

I'm a bit disappointed that according to your statements we are not able to do this trip... it would have been great to sail a couple of hours per day...

thank you very much for your very informative answers.

[Lowcountry]

You can do plenty of sailing in the Sea of Abaco. You can also sail out of any of the many cuts and go into the Atlantic and sail as long as you want to. Maybe you should consider chartering a boat out of George Town or Nassau and sailing the Exumas instead. You will be at less risk of being caught by cold fronts, and will be able to sail over to Cat Island, Long Island or Eleuthera much more easily than you could from the Abacos.
As for a two week itinerary in the Abacos, look again at my initial post above. I gave you a pretty inclusive itinerary there.

[Dulcesuenos]

Theres lots of great places in abacos. Double breasted is nice , ManJack or nunjack, Hope town, Grabbers is a blast. man o war, best snorkeling or diving in the Bahamas at Sandy cay, Tahiti beach, dinghy over for the full moon party. And about a dozen other places to see. If there is a good 4-5 day window you could hit berries/ Nassau. But otherwise yes you can easily sail a few hours each day in the abacos. I do like the exumas better but probably less sailing involved.

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