Where you cross?

[jeanathon]

We all know that it can get very rough crossing the Gulf Stream from Florida when there is any contingent of a north wind. But what about further north along the stream? As it goes North it flows slower. How is crossing with a north wind up around North Carolina?

[MicHughV]

Rough is a relative term. I prefer the term boisterous. ie, you'll get wet and the ride will be a tad bumpy, but doable.

Down in south Florida, the GS is moving at around 3 knots in a northerly direction and the axis is relatively close to shore.
Further north, the GS stream peels away from the coastline and slows down some and also meanders quite a bit, but the wind against current affect pretty much remains the same.

A lot depends on the course you intend to take and the relative wind direction.
If going straight west, and the wind is out of the north, you will encounter some big waves and some of them will be quite steep, but generally spaced far enough apart to making sailing thru' them manageable.

Further offshore, because the water is deeper, the waves aren't breaking per se, but the crests get blown off and these will come sliding down so you can anticipate getting wet.

I've crossed the GS at least 50 or more times. Be mindful that as you go north the GS meanders quite a bit and the flow may not be northerly at all.

A variety of websites can give you an up-to-date map of the GS and all it's meanders and it would behove you to check them out prior to making a decision.

The current velocity is one thing, but one also needs to be mindful of the wind speed and direction. This time of the year, wind speeds can climb quite a bit.

Lastly, it doesn't happen often, but the GS can be quite placid, relatively speaking.

Finally, with a bit of luck you can blast through the GS in a day more or less, so it's not like a 7 day thing.

Hope this gives you something to chew on.

[rognvald]

Tolerance for sea state depends on your experience and how you handle lumpy conditions. For a recreational sailor with moderate skills waiting for better conditions is prudent and sensible. I hadvea powerboat friend in Miami who we met in Bimini for a weekend cruise that needed to be back at work on Monday and crossed the Stream in a 25 knot northerly blow with his wife and dog aboard. They made it with what he described as the worst conditions and biggest breaking waves he's seen in his life. It's your choice. We never cross in a northerly since we view sailing as a pleasurable experience. You'll get fooled enough on good forecasts to make it still a challenge.
Rognvald

[MicHughV]

If you have the time, a "wait for weather" is a good approach, but this time of the year, a front, ie, a nor-easter blows thru' almost on a weekly basis so the Gulf stream barely has time to settle down before the next one arrives. In turn this means you might be stuck at some spot for a long period of time.

Most people leave West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce, Ft. Lauderdale, etc and head towards West End or Bimini. With a north flowing current, it means one has to " crab" across, which means pointing the bow right into the oncoming waves, which becomes tiring in short order.

A better approach would be to enter at say...Memory Rock in the Abacos, meaning your course will more or less be straight across.
Same for returning. Even though Miami might be your intended destination, a smoother ride will be to aim for a port further north to " ride the stream" so to speak, and then make your way south on the ICW.

In all the crossings I've done, only once did I experience a "smooth" crossing. It was really smooth, almost no wind, and that was in the height of summer.

For the remainder, the crossing will entail wind and waves of some kind.

What your tolerance is for that is up to the skipper.

[rognvald]

So, there's one further approach to limit your time in the stream if you expect lumpy leftover conditions and are going to Cat/Bimini. Leave from Rodriguez Key and have your trip shortened with realistic speeds of 8-9 knots running with the stream rather than crabbing into the flow from further south. Aim roughly 20 miles south of your entry and you'll be out of the strongest part of the stream in a few hours depending on how it meanders. Leave at midnight for an early morning entry and . . . watch out for the ubiquitous freighters that ,sometimes, appear to be everywhere.
Rognvald

PS This technique also works when leaving from Miami to the Abacos. R

[jeanathon]

This is what I found. I crossed the stream where it turned due west negating the wind over current factor, and also any speed loss of fighting a contrary current. This put me in position to ride an eddy due south for a speed boost of 1.5 knots for more than a day. These were the smoothest parts of the passage.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

This is what I found. I crossed the stream where it turned due west negating the wind over current factor, and also any speed loss of fighting a contrary current. This put me in position to ride an eddy due south for a speed boost of 1.5 knots for more than a day. These were the smoothest parts of the passage.

Hi, Jeanthon,
Where was this?
Rognvald

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

We all know that it can get very rough crossing the Gulf Stream from Florida when there is any contingent of a north wind.

This is a bit of an over statement. We have crossed many times (West Palm to West End), including 4 days ago with low NE winds 7-8kts. and 1.5' waves, Quite easy even for a round hull trawler like ours. 10kts Northerly and above for running for more than one day can be unpleasant.

[jeanathon]

It was about 110 statute miles on a bearing of 190 degrees out from Beaufort NC. The stream has since shifted quite a bit.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

It was about 110 statute miles on a bearing of 190 degrees out from Beaufort NC. The stream has since shifted quite a bit.

O.K., J,
Now it makes sense. I was trying to imagine where the GS meandered in that fashion along the Bahamian coastline in the Straits of Florida. Did you have any Gulfstream routing during that trip or did you notice on your DR track?
Rognvald

[jeanathon]

Originally Posted by rognvald

O.K., J,
Now it makes sense. I was trying to imagine where the GS meandered in that fashion along the Bahamian coastline in the Straits of Florida. Did you have any Gulfstream routing during that trip or did you notice on your DR track?
Rognvald

I noticed my original post about North Carolina got buried in the usual south Florida crossing mindset.

I looked at a current current forecast and what the stream was doing and planned to cross where I did. I rode it sideways and exited in a counter current that gave me a speed boost for further than I thought it would. Had to slow down as I was passing the Abacos to arrive in daylight at the Devil's backbone cut into the Elutheria's.