Key Largo to Marsh Harbor - which route?

[solecollector]

We are sailing to Marsh Harbor this weekend and have 6 days to get there. How would you go? Is it worth stopping at the Berry Islands?

Thanks!_steve

[Tingum]

Only if you want a break. Are you planning on going via Bimini and across the bank or NW providence channel to the Gerry's and then around. A more interesting stop might be Morse Island. (Real Bahamas). Then around to Little Harbour, (definitely worth a stop), and up to Marsh. Please put Green Turtle Cay on your list. It is a very special Place.

[solecollector]

Green Turtle has been brought up a few times with my friends - we will have to do that for sure! Thinking of checking in at Cat Cay and then going across the bank - and going wherever makes sense - ! Looking for the real Bahamas - not interested in Nassau...

We are now leaving next week - a rigging inspection found a crack in one of the stays... getting that fixed next week. But then we should be good to go!

[capttman]

Keep one eye on Erin

[Dave852]

I would decide based on wind direction. For instance if you have a break in the east winds, don't stop at cat and loose your weather window. Cross at s. riding rock and go to chub where you can check in or not, then you have just a little more east and you can swing north up to the south end of abaco and not caring that the wind may have filled back in from the east. Some folks just anchor on the banks if you prefer not to travel at night. From key largo this takes advantage of your southerly start keeping you on more of a northeasterly course across the banks as opposed to due east from cat. If the wind is hard out of the east when you start go north and hope the wind will lay down in a few days to make your easting later.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Tingum

---
A more interesting stop might be Morse Island. (Real Bahamas). ---

Where is Morse Island?

[ShaktisBoy]

Yes its worth stoping at the Berry islands. White cay and Hoffman cay are two off our favorite places to visit.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Where is Morse Island?

'No such place! There's a Moor's Island, sometimes called Mores Island, west of Abaco. I think that's what intended to be referenced.

[bahamarich]

Moore's Island, also on some charts as More's Island is at the south end of the Bight of the Abacos, which is between Great Abacos Island and Grand Bahama. I have a catamaran and have traveled the bight north to south. The settlement on Moore's Island is Hard Bargain.

[nautical62]

So much depends on your desires, crew, the boat, the weather, etc. so it's hard to say any route is necessarily better than any other.

Personally, I often sail solo and prefer to avoid sailing thought the night if possible, so I'd probably hop off from Fort Lauderdale and head to West End.

Days 1-2: to Fort Lauderdale.
3: To West End.
4: To either Strangers or Great Sale.
5: To either Powell, Manjack or Green Turtle
6: to Marsh Harbour.

The above however adds some miles and does not leave a whole lot of time to enjoy these islands. If you want a faster route with a couple over night sails, the Berry's are in my opinion a nice area to spend a night or two. When you hit Abacos at their south end this way, some possible stops include Little Harbour and Hope Town. Lynyard, the Bight of Old Robinson, and the Snake Cay area offer some more "primitive" options.