Freeport vs Nassau

[jkurry]

Planning a 10 day or so trip from Miami early November. Going to spend a night or 2 in Bimini, then on to either Freeport or Nassau. Two questions:

1. Thoughts on Freeport vs. Nassau as far as nightlife for a low budget casual guys getaway.

2. Do you think we have enough time (cruising 6 kts or so) to get accross the bank to Chubb then Nassau. Would you stop in Chubb, or keep going straight to Nassau?

Thanks all.

[Vasco]

10 days is not much time but your best bet for night life might be to stay in Bimini. If you intend to go to Nassau go straight through from Miami, about thirty hours if the weather cooperates. There is nothing at Chubb except an expensive marina, if it's still in business. When we were there (we anchored at Frazers Hog waiting for weather) last season there were always questions as to whether the place was open or not. The sportsfish were always on the vhf asking anyone who would reply.

[jkurry]

Thanks. Not really looking for nightlife beyond a bar. How long is trip accross the bank?

[Vasco]

Depends on conditions. My charts are on the boat but I think it's about 60 or 70 miles from North Rock (just north of Bimini) to the NW Channel Light where the bank ends. Then you've got about 40 miles in the Tongue of the Ocean to Nassau or 14 or so to Chubb. If you get a headwind on the Bank it's slow going. Years ago nobody traveled at night on the Bank but now with the great charts and GPS everybody does. If you're just looking for a bar, stay in Bimini. Much safer than anyplace in Nassau. If you want a good sail keep going to Nassau.

[s/v Moondancer]

Lucaya is nicer than Freeport itself and has a casino. Long haul to Nassau if the wind does not cooperate. Abacos are nicer than both Freeport and Nassau and can be done in 10 days.

Keep an eye on the weather, you can easily get trapped on the Bahama side of the gulf stream once the lows start moving through or a late tropical storm would make it really interesting.

[robw_fl]

10 days? The question is how much time do you want to spend sailing and how much time at said bar? If you want more time at the bar, head for Bimini and sit at the End of the World for a few days and you'll be ready to head home. Not much there really, but it still feels like you "went somewhere." If you want a little more sailing, and a little more selection, hit Port Lucaya. Pretty fun place. Def. better than Freeport as mentioned above. As for Nassau? I don't know - sounds ambitious to me for a 10 day trip. If the weather were perfect, both ways, you'd get a few decent days there at best. I'm having a hard time remembering when the weather cooperated perfectly with my "plans"

Long story short, I'd say for what you're doing/looking for, check out Lucaya. Easy in/easy out. Shorter sail. Good time for a few days. And a little more wiggle room timewise for weather delays.

Have fun.

Rob

[jkurry]

Thanks for the input. Spending some time with the explorer charts today, I see what you are saying about trying to do nassau. If we go to Lucaya, how best to return to Miami? Obviously we don't want to fight the stream going back south. I assume we head back south to Bimini then cross from there again?

[robw_fl]

Yeah, I'd try to get as much south in as possible on that side before crossing.