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BojanglesIV · 12-08-2011, 17:25

Hi all,

My boat's currently in East Hampton, NY and we're looking to get it to the Bahamas as soon as hurricane season is over. My preference would be to do a straight shot from Montauk to Georgetown in early November. My alternate plan would be to move the boat further south in September (say to Norfolk) then do the Norfolk-Bahamas leg in November. However, from a logistics, time, and expense perspective, it would be a lot better to do a single passage rather than breaking it up.

Having never left from as far north as Montauk, I'm a bit concerned about the November temperatures until we hit the stream (say 200 or so miles). I'm not too fussed about cold, but I don't want to be stuck in frigid temperatures or do something that's unsafe. (Ice on deck would suck!)

In the past, we have sailed offshore from Virginia to the Caribbean, where it can be cool for your first day's sailing, but then you cross the stream and all is good.

Can I hear some thoughts from folks who've headed south from that area? Any thoughts or recommendations?

Cheers,
Colin

AllezCat · 13-08-2011, 05:37

Hi Collin I am in the same area and intend to haul and refit in Newport.
The Newport people state they are busy until November refitting the boats post summer/pre winter Caribbean cruising. So, many would be heading directly to Bermuda, etc. So would be heading same direction/time.
I will be heading to Bahamas/Miami area only.
I doubt there would be such cold conditions for ice in early November - but would be chilly.
I was intending to go down the coast inside the gulf-stream - but your idea sounds better to head directly south - well offshore...

mbianka · 13-08-2011, 06:22

The water tempertures in early November are still fairly warm around Long Island so I would not be so much concerned with ice and snow when you are heading south. Hurricane issues are diminished. But, I would be concerned with Nor' Easters though which can linger and beat you up more than a fast moving hurricane as they can hang around for a few days and I would not want to be out there in one. A read of the Perfect Storm is an example of what can happen. I would just make sure you have a real good weather window if you decide to go that route.

BojanglesIV · 13-08-2011, 06:27

Thanks for that. I figured there would be a bunch of folks who sail from there at that time, but I wanted (and still want to) hear from folks who have done it.

As for routing... I would definitely get across the stream rather than hugging the coast. It's simply a shorter and warmer trip that way.

As for weather/Nor Easters... good point. I'm not bad on weather, but I'll use a weather router as well.

Cheers,
Colin

CarlF · 13-08-2011, 06:44

The cold isn't the problem. The gales are another matter. It seems to start earlier now, even October can be tough. They just march up the coast. 50-60 knot winds and steep sided seas for days. The storms come out of nowhere.

If you go offshore, go all the way out to Bermuda. And watch the weather window. If it looks ugly, don't tell yourself that it "won't be that bad"

The conservative thing is to wait for a three day weather window then make for Norfolk. If the weather report is truly great as you approach Norfolk stay outside but if there's any question take the intracoastal past Hatteras and go offshore again at Beaufort. Of course, your air draft has to be less than 65ft to go inside.

Carl