Key Largo to Eleuthera

[solecollector]

I'm looking to sail from Key Largo to Eleuthera at the end of this month. What would the recommended routes be? I have a week to get there and then three weeks to hangout.

Thanks!! _steve

[onestepcsy37]

key largo up the gulf stream to cat cay or bimini. check in.

then cross the bank to northwest channel light, then down to nassau.

then nassau east to eluethera.

with good weather will be there in a week.

or,

up the gulf stream, east into northwest providence channel, then east to eleuthera. it's a couple of days at sea and i think you can clear in at spanish wells. i've never done this route.

[Dulcesuenos]

Were leaving a couple weeks later but heading to Exumas via Bimini. Cat cay is $100. Just to tie up for an hour or you can clear in and stay the night at Bimini Sands for a bit less and have amenities and fuel.
Anchoring out has its strong poimts though. We got use our new(ish) Delta last weekend, worked great! :-)

[Dave852]

Fastest route from key largo is via s riding rock to nw channel, then Nassau to check in. Then on to Eleuthera. If you want to stop for a sleep, the banks if not to windy or anchor at Chubb for a few hours.

[dMAC]

Can you cross safely from Riding Rock to NW channel with a 6' draft?

[Dave852]

Yes, in fact the deepest part is down by south riding rock. As you eventually merge with the main channel between gunn and nw light it will be the shallow part.

[dMAC]

Just got back from round trip from Naples to exumas. Took south riding rock from marathon and sailed direct to lyford cay Nassau where I checked in. It was very easy, no problems on depths at all. Returned south of Andros to Cay Sal and back to key west, again easy to navigate with plenty of depth.

[Dave852]

Nice, we just sailed from Islamorada to Bimini today, only have a week so will be staying around here.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by solecollector

I'm looking to sail from Key Largo to Eleuthera at the end of this month. What would the recommended routes be? I have a week to get there and then three weeks to hangout.

Thanks!! _steve

The optimum route to Eleuthera somewhat depends on where you are going in Eleuthera and how much crew you have. If you are short handed and old like me and need your beauty rest I would recommend a different route than if you are young, have a full crew, and are still beautiful.

If you are going to North Eleuthera there is no need to go south to Nassau. If you are going to south Eleuthera then Nassau is ok.

If you need Beauty rest I recommend checking in at Bimini. The next day going from Bimini to Chub and the following day to Eleuthera via egg Island. That waypoint gives you access to Spanish Wells, Harbor Island, and Hatchet Bay via current cut. If you are going down to Governor's Harbor, Tarpum Bay, or Rock sound then heading towards Nassau makes more sense as you will have to go south from Northwest Channel Light to get to southern Eleuthera anyway.

If you have a good young crew and are going south then South Riding Rock-NW Channel Light-Nassau is fine. If going north I would go to South Riding Rock-NW Channel Light and check in at Chub/Fraizers Hog, then head for Egg Island.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by dMAC

---- Returned south of Andros to Cay Sal and back to key west, again easy to navigate with plenty of depth.

dMAC -
Do you have coordinates for that route? I am wondering where you started from and how far south of Andros you were?
Thanks.

[dMAC]

There is a cut about 7 miles SE of Washerwoman cut. From there i took a 235 degree heading for about 30 NM. Then a straight line for Cay Sal. Plenty of water. You won't see another boat for the whole trip except maybe some freighters going through the Old Bahamas channel. Good water depth close to shore of Cay Sal for anchoring on west side of island.

[AnchorageGuy]

steve, Keep in mind that a schedule is the number one cause for serious problems for any cruiser. Have a plan B in case you wind up waiting more than a week for weather before crossing. It's a real possibility. Chuck

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by dMAC

There is a cut about 7 miles SE of Washerwoman cut. From there i took a 235 degree heading for about 30 NM. Then a straight line for Cay Sal. Plenty of water. You won't see another boat for the whole trip except maybe some freighters going through the Old Bahamas channel. Good water depth close to shore of Cay Sal for anchoring on west side of island.

Many thanks.