Ft Lauderdale to Bahamas

[42AFJ]

We will be bringing our new home up from Ft Lauderdale to SC to live aboard in May. Being close to the Bahamas we would like to spend about a week cruising. Short time period I know. Any suggestions?

[CSY Man]

Hang out in the Bimini and Gun/Cat Cay area. Plenty to do for a week.
Sail South to Miama first, then cross the stream. I usually anchor in No-Name harbour before I cross.

CM

[camaraderie]

You could go to Lucaya. Nice beach, hotels, shopping, casino. But that Whitby42 will cost you $300 bucks to get in. West End/Old Bahama Bay is another option.Thinking out loud here's a possibility....
Day1- Leave Lauderdale at around midnight and head for the Memory rock waypoint northwest of West End Grand Bahama. You will arrive on the banks at daylight and proceed directly to Great sale Cay arriving mid afternoon. Anchor for the night.
Day2 - Head to Spanish Cay and check in...enjoy a meal and explore.
Day3-4-5-Explore the northwest Abacos...from Green Turtle, Majack, Allans Pensacola, Cooperstown etc. positioning for arrival back at Great Sale on Day 6.
Day 7...sail back off the banks and head to points north with Ft. Pierce being the best place to check back into the states and a good all weather inlet.
Alternatively...you can head out of Morraine Cay channel and north to a further off landfall if you feel comfortable at sea for a few days. Since the boat is new to you...suggest that before attempting any of this you be sure she has good fuel system and is "shaken down" before departing as there are almost NO boat services in this area of the Abacos...(Green Turtle is the closest). Congrats on your new home...they are great cruising boats.
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Of course this assumes good weather but that is likely in May and it doesn't sound like you have a strict schedule.

[42AFJ]

Thank you very much for the info. That sounds great, the time constraint is my wife returning to work but we may fly her out of Grand Bahama and continue North to Charleston. We will spend time doing repairs/refits a few days prior to departure covering all immediate recommendations of the surveyor. Thanks again!! We are very excited about becoming a part of the incredible liveaboard community.

[rleslie]

First, congrates on the Whitby purchase. We cruise aboard a Brewer 42 six months each year and love the boat!!!! Make certain to add the Whitby/Brewer site to your favorites. Lots of help during a refit!!! WhitbyBrewerSailboats : Whitby & Brewer Sailboat Group

I would second the Bimini suggestion. Tons to do for a week, especially if you happen to dive. Have fun!!!

Roger

[JusDreaming]

welcome to our world, I agree Bimini is a good spot, or you could go south to the Dry Tortougas and save the three hundred bucks for clearing in! Where in Charleston are you going to live? We are livaboards in Bohicket Marina, south of Charleston on the North Edisto River, or basically the 495 MM ICW

[AnchorageGuy]

Been a couple of weeks since you posted so in case you still check from time to time, keep in mind working on a schedule, you might be sitting behind Key Biscayne for up to a couple of weeks waiting for the weather to go right to make the crossing.

[42AFJ]

Thanks all for the responses. My apologies. The last minute documentation, and closing have been keeping me occupied along with work. Rleslie, we are very excited about the Whitby and a two year search for a seaworthy liveaboard (the list is a long one) comes down to the Whitby. I am familiar with where you are Jusdreaming, we will be in Ashley Marina downtown Charleston. Looking over the schedule we have from May 1st to 15th before we would like to be back to get the boat ready for the move!!! Bahamas sounds fantastic but a bit out of reach. Thanks to all!