How can I find the Gulf Stream locatioin & speed?

[SunMan65]

I plan a crossing from West Palm Beach to either West End or Bimini. Is there a web site that keeps up with the location and speed of the Gulf Stream?

[starfish62]

This is a good site.

National Weather Service Marine Forecast

[defever]

listen to noaa weathe broadcasts for the area you're interested in on your vhf radio. every so often they give location of the stream---not sure about speed but figure 2-3 kts depending on location

[camaraderie]

This will give you a good picture and temps.
Weather Routing, Inc. - Now Weather

[peterroach]

The first thing that poped into my head was - Head East from Florida. Seriously it is @ 90 mile off of Jacksonville and @12 -15 miles off of Ft Pierce. You can usually tell you are in the Gulf stream with the following method (all work):

Listen to the weather on VHF weather channels they give the approximate location of the Gulf Stream every 20 minutes or so. If you don't hear it for your location change to another weather channel (1-10) and you will likely hear it.

Look for the blue water that is approximately the color of Gina Smith's eyes (sorry - girlfriend in High School - sigh).

Use a handheld thermometer to see when the water changes temperature.

Run a fishing line behind your boat and when you hear wiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzz. You are likely at the edge of the Gulf Stream.

Call a friend on their cell phone and ask them to look it up on one of the many web sites.

The reason no one can give you an exact answer is the Gulf Steam moves around - ALOT. Just like a firehose that is not secured it goes all over the place.

[Hud3]

www.passageweather.com has wind, wave and Gulf Stream forecasts. Looking at them over a period of time can give you a feel for the weather and current patterns. Choose the Florida/Bahamas area on the map, and look up top on the page for the "Gulf Stream" tab.

[s/v Moondancer]

West Palm is usually too far north to easily cross the Gulf Stream to Bimini on a sailboat. You spend too much time heading almost directly into the stream. Much easier to come south to Lauderdale, Miami, or even Key Largo so that you do not 'fight' the stream but use it to assist the crossing. Although I have crossed and then run south on the Bimini side out of the stream.

Even though the Stream is well out there is still a northerly current within 2 miles of the Florida Coast, I run south in the counter current that is close to the beach...The weed line a mile or so offshore marks the transition

Phil

[Soft Air]

Great link Hud, thanks

[Patient]

Originally Posted by Hud3

www.passageweather.com has wind, wave and Gulf Stream forecasts. Looking at them over a period of time can give you a feel for the weather and current patterns. Choose the Florida/Bahamas area on the map, and look up top on the page for the "Gulf Stream" tab.

Wow! Thanks for the link!

Cape horn looks like a smooth ride this time of year!

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by SunMan65

I plan a crossing from West Palm Beach to either West End or Bimini. Is there a web site that keeps up with the location and speed of the Gulf Stream?

It just about touches the shore in West Palm. Figure you'll be in it the whole trip.

Usually this is a jump off for the Abacos or little Bahama bank. Shouldn't you be leaving from further south to hit Bimini?