I have made the crossing to the B'mas at least 50 times..maybe more...and vice versa off course.
By sailboat ! a 40 footer.
I have always left from West Palm Beach ( Peanut Island) and once from Ft.Pierce and crossed the B'ma bank at Memory Rock, eventually clearing in at Green Turtle.
Leaving the Abacos, I always just left from Green Turtle Cay and headed straight back to the
USA.
That being said, crossing the
Gulf Stream is unlike any other ocean sailing you will ever experience.....hmmm....maybe going to
Bermuda can be equally fraught with interesting
weather. Out of 3 attempts to make
Bermuda, only 1 was successful. One could say, I've paid my dues.
One should think of the
Gulf Stream as a " river" in the the ocean.
Newbies often underestimate the
current of the Gulf Stream.
Along the main " axis" currents will be easily at 3 knots or more (going north). This will taper off near the edges of the stream.
It can be dead smooth or roiled like no tomorrow.
Like many, I have got tired of waiting at West Palm Beach and headed out in a " norther" only to come limping back in hours later.
Ironically, because leaving Peanut Island for the Abaco's one must allow for the Gulf Stream current and make a heading several degrees south of your intended landfall. This makes a north wind pretty acceptable were it not for the Gulf Stream
The problem with a " norther" it takes a few days for the seas to lay down, by which time, the next " norther" is on your doorstep.
This is particularly true during the
winter months.
By the end of March, the frequency of " northers" lessen.
In bygone years ( before GPS) I always did the crossing at night to be on the banks the next morning. Many sailors elect to clear in at West End, but crossing at Memory Rock, lessens the angle you must take.
Now with
GPS, I will run that track at any time when the
weather suits me.
Ideally, you want to watch the weather. Before a " norther" the wind will usually swing to the " west" for a short time. Making the crossing with a " west" wind is simply the best. You can hoof it over there under sail in no time, much quicker than motoring. if you have the time to wait and have a good weather source, this is the best, You need a 12 hour window, this will get you to Great
Sale Cay.
Summer weather usually means south-east wind, so considering your southeast heading, you will have to
motor across...usually a 12 trip.
Finally, leaving from West Palm Beach, you will notice some tall antenna's.....at night they will flash red. Keep these lined up as you cross and it will keep you perfectly on the correct track. They can be seen for a good 20 miles or so, by which time you should be out of the main axis of the stream.
Finally, yes, if you suck it in, you can cross in a " norther". I've done it. It will be a wet and wooly ride. At first the size of the waves will scare the snot out of you, but you can get somewhat used to it, which lessens the anxiety and make the
beer taste better at the end of the crossing.
Happy sailing !!