Which Route Past the Bahamas?

[carstenb]

Hi guys (and gals)

We're on ST Croix (USVI) and want to make a fast run to Ft. Lauderdale. We paln on doing it in one go or perhaps 2 with a stop somewhere along the way.

Question is - going past the Bahamas on the oceanside (eastern side) or the western side?

Any good places to stop about the halfway point?

carsten

[Captain Bill]

Going up the east side requires you to go well north of Ft Lauderdale and then have to fight the Gulf Stream going back south. Strictly from that standpoint going through the Old Bahamas channel and up to Ft Lauderdale is more efficient. The currents are with you all the way on that route..

[pete33458]

What Capt Bill said is correct. Through the Old Bahamas Channel (the western side, as you describe it) and up the coast of FL you will have current behind you all the way, and it is a fast trip.

Halfway depends on whether you are a US citizen or not. If not, eastern Cuba, if so, Luperon is about your last stop unless you want to risk Haiti or lose time entering/leaving the Bahamas Banks. T&C might be an option, but I have never been there.

Pete

[Northbound44]

Hi Carsten,
It's the fourth time I do it,
From St-Croix, crossing West of Charlotte Amelie, then, North of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, T&C and the Bahamas will allow you to take benefit of the North Equatorial and Antilles Current, then , you turn West, North of Eleuthera in the NorthEast Providence Channel to Fort Lauderdale.
One advantage of this route is if you get caught by a cold front, you can stop in the Bahamas Islands.