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Old 13-01-2019, 10:40   #1
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Location: St Augustine, FL
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Crossing the Great Bahama Bank with a deepish draft

I have a 44 ft monohull sailboat with a 6’9” draft (Salona 44). I am planning a trip to Nassau/Northern Exumas and will be leaving from Lake Worth Inlet. I like having options. I will probably use New Providence Channel for the return trip home to St Augustine straight through from Nassau, but I thought it might be more fun and comfortable for my crew to cross the Great Bahama Bank on the way to Nassau when leaving from Lake Worth. I have reviewed Pavlidis and Explorer Chartbooks. I have been to Bimini, Cat Cay and Gun Cay but never crossed this bank.

My intinial thought was to sail South from Lake Worth to Miami and Cross the Steam from there. According to the Explorer Chartbook the deepest route appears to be to enter the banks from between Great Isaac and Hens and Chickens Rocks. I figure the Gulf Stream could take me there with reasonable efficiency if I start my crossing near Miami. Then head to Mackie Shoal and the Northwest Channel from there. This is well depicted in the Explorer Chartbooks, but there is very little on the internet about this route and it is not even mentioned as an option gin Pavlidis. I do not plan on stopping in Bimini. I realize the most common routes are crossing at North Rock, Moselle Bank, etc..

My main question is the following:

1. Is it safe and efficient to enter the banks between Great Isaac and Hens and Chicken then proceed from there to Mackie Shoal and the Northwest Channel? If not why? I am just curious since it appears to be reasonably efficient and is very rarely mentioned. Plus it is deeper water under my boat.
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Old 13-01-2019, 11:10   #2
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Re: Crossing the Great Bahama Bank with a deepish draft

Sounds a reasonable plan! I last crossed the Bank in an Oday 34 (6ft draft) and after sailing from Miami to Bimini, cut onto the Bank just north of Gun Cay then sailed across to Chubb Cay. Really pleasant cruising and highly recommed the route!

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Old 13-01-2019, 11:47   #3
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Re: Crossing the Great Bahama Bank with a deepish draft

You don't have to go up to Hens and Chickens. Get on the Bank at North Rock just north of Bimini. If you sail east just a bit north of the rhumb line to Mackie Shoal you'll have lots of water. This clears the small 7 ft patch which is a few miles east of North Rock.

If you want to take Hens and Chickens there's no problem. The Hens and Chickens route is more often used when returning and going to Lake Worth if the wind is favourable.
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