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02-10-2018, 12:13
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Laying Palmetto, Fl.
Boat: Island Packet 350
Posts: 123
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Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Quick question for the brain trust: Are there any concerns for a Dana 24 crossing the Gulf Stream to Exumas in January/February and returning April?
Thanks,
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02-10-2018, 12:43
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#2
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 31,279
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Quote:
Originally Posted by sailorman7225
Quick question for the brain trust: Are there any concerns for a Dana 24 crossing the Gulf Stream to Exumas in January/February and returning April?
Thanks,
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None whatsoever.. just wait for a S'ly set to the wind.. usually a 2-3 day cycle as it clocks to the West.
Enjoy..
__________________

You can't oppress a people for so many decades and have them say.. "I Love You.. ".
"It is better to die standing proud, than to live a lifetime on ones knees.."
Self Defence is no excuse for Genocide...
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03-10-2018, 07:08
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Toronto area when not travelling
Boat: Nonsuch 30
Posts: 1,732
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
No problem at all with a decent forecast. Only problem with a boat that size is that there is not much room to load up with all the stuff that will cost you an arm and a leg in the Bahamas.
__________________
Have taken on the restoration of the first Nonsuch, which was launched in 1978. Needs some deck work, hull compounding, and a bit of new gear.
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03-10-2018, 08:21
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bayfield, Lake Superior, WI & Wayzata, MN
Boat: C&C 34 & Sonar One Design
Posts: 369
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Did Miami to Bimini a number of times in 23 - 26' sailboats "back in the day". As boatman61 wrote, make sure the wind is southerly so you don't have the Gulf Stream current going head on into northerlies. Can be very bumpy...or worse.
__________________
Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.
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03-10-2018, 09:07
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Tilloo Cay, Abaco, Bahamas
Boat: Catalina 42
Posts: 186
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
I’ve done it in a 17’ Key West, others have crossed on jet skis...
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03-10-2018, 10:48
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Boat: Cheoy Lee, Luders 36
Posts: 67
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Give yourself plenty of window to wait for good weather. We waited 3 weeks this last spring for just marginal weather. As others have said, southerly winds, small swells. Just spend some time reading about other experiences, watch weather closely. We have had beautiful crossings 3 times. Turned back twice and waited for better conditions. Also, nice to go with couple of other boats if you can. But, not necessary.
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03-10-2018, 10:48
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cape Cora, Fl
Boat: 2002 Novatec 42 Sundeck Trawler
Posts: 131
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Quote:
Originally Posted by sailorman7225
Quick question for the brain trust: Are there any concerns for a Dana 24 crossing the Gulf Stream to Exumas in January/February and returning April?
Thanks,
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Not a problem
Just be aware of the weather!
You may be waiting weeks for a crossing.
I have waited as long as 3 weeks for good weather.
If your headed to Exumas, make sure you have adequate ground tackle to ride out the fronts that come through.
Plan ahead and plan for changes in your itinerary
Good weather forecasting a MUST.
Provisioning can be slim, don’t count picking up whatever you need when you want it.
Would be happy to help if you need info.
Enjoy
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03-10-2018, 11:28
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Flowery Branch, GA
Boat: C-26
Posts: 150
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
My first crossing was in a Spirit 23. Sitting in Jack Tar Marina, West End feeling quite smug when 4 kids in a 19' runabout pulled in having just crossed from Ft. Worth. That wiped the smug grin off my face.
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03-10-2018, 12:58
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Abaco, Bahamas/ Western NC
Boat: Nothing large at the moment
Posts: 1,038
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
January and February? You might wait thru both months waiting for a weather window!
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03-10-2018, 15:11
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Florida
Boat: Scout 30
Posts: 3,112
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
I'd take a Dana 24 just about anywhere.
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03-10-2018, 19:20
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 41
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
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03-10-2018, 20:12
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#12
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,579
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tingum
January and February? You might wait thru both months waiting for a weather window!
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Agree ! three day southerly windows are rare at that time of year, you could end up waiting 2--3 weeks to get back. Better wait til' late March or April.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
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04-10-2018, 06:22
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Out of Norfolk Va
Boat: Tartan 37
Posts: 687
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Nope great boat for the Bahamas and further south.
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08-10-2018, 08:17
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Cape Haze,FL
Boat: Carver,Cobia,Nacra, Columbia
Posts: 816
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Best plan would be to put her on a trailer and ship her to Nassau on one of the RoRo island freighters.
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08-10-2018, 11:14
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Abaco, Bahamas/ Western NC
Boat: Nothing large at the moment
Posts: 1,038
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Re: Small boat Gulf Stream Crossing
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingfin
Best plan would be to put her on a trailer and ship her to Nassau on one of the RoRo island freighters.
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That not a good idea at all. If you ship it you have to pay duty on whatever they value it at, plus the freight. You also need either a cradle or a trailer.
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