Navigating the Cuts from the Bahama Sound to the Bahama Banks.

[Content63]

At what wind velocity should running the various cuts from the Bahama Sound to the Bahama Banks not be considered? We’ll be coming from Elizabeth Harbor (EH), in a power catamaran that has a 9 knot cruising speed. We are considering either Farmers Cut ; Cave Cay Cut; or Galliot Cut to cross over from the Sound side to The Bank side and of course would not like to find the conditions at the Cuts too unsafe to navigate once we get there, which would mean turning around and going back to EH. We will try to arrive near slack tide and without the wind and tide opposing, but at what wind speed would you not even considering leaving EH? Thank you in advance for your advice.

[BrianInBoston]

I wouldn't worry too much about crossing those three cuts in a power cat that can make 9 knots. Likely the wind will be from the east, so time it so you are near the slack at the start of flood. I've been through Farmer's motoring in a sailing cat at 6 knots and it was low drama, pretty wide and deep. But from Elizabeth's that is like 45 miles up the chain, so turning back won't be feasible in my opinion. My target wind for that leg would be high teens- not necessarily for the conditions at the cuts, more like sea state on the sound side in 20+ winds. Your crew might be pretty green after 45 miles pounding the swells on the windward side.

[MicHughV]

the issue is really wind against tide, as you have already noted, which can build big seas at the cuts....timing at slack tide gives you, your best shot..or wind and tide in the same direction....
once you have committed to a cut, you have pretty much thrown the dice, so pays to have your timing right...

[Content63]

Sound advice. Thank you gentlemen...