The Bahamas!

March 24, 2012

Well, after a 3 week wait for a 'weather window' we finally made a gulf stream crossing from Miami to West End, Grand Bahama.  We are are currently docked at the very nice Old Bahama Bay Marina at West End http://www.oldbahamabay.com/.

For the non-sailors, a gulf stream crossing has to be planned and executed carefully.  The stream is one of the most powerful ocean currents in the world and flows particularly fast (up to 5 knots) and close to land as it turns north around south Florida and heads up the coast.  Any strong winds from the north, raise large, sharp waves against the north flowing stream.  Although winds from the east do not have the same wave effect, sailing into a significant wind is difficult.

We arrived in Miami in early March, expecting to wait about a week, but the easterly trade winds were unrelenting for weeks;  there was one earlier short window, but we were not quite ready to go at that time. Then a window appeared to open up 3/23-25.  This is called waiting for your weather window.

We left our mooring at Coconut Grove Sailing Club (which has been a great place to stay) at 6:20 PM on Friday, 3/23 and traveled out the Dinner Key channel, across Biscayne Bay, and out the Biscayne Bay channel. It was almost dark by the time we got through the channel - we should have left a little earlier!

The ship traffic around Miami was very exciting - we had to dodge a few smaller boats and one large freighter. 

We then settled into our calculated course to West End.  To arrive at a course, you need a take into account the effects of the current - the direct course to West End was around 050 degrees magnetic, but I had calculated a course to steer of 062 degrees.  We were, however, a bit surprised by how quickly we felt the effects of the current and over-corrected, which along with the confused seas from the recent strong easterlies, gave us a relatively slow crossing.

We saw numerous big ships throughout the night, but had only one 'close encounter' as a cruise ship crossed about 1 mile in front of us - that sounds like a lot, but believe me, it always feels closer with a huge ship!

We pulled into Old Bahama Bay at around 11 AM Saturday 3/24.  We have not had much time to explore here yet, but the various colors of the water are incredible.  We left 'deep' ocean water only a few miles from West End where the water was a deep indigo blue; as we proceeded in the water changed through various beautiful shades of green and it is so clear you can see down 20+ feet. 

After cleaning the boat of the salt accumulated from the crossing and some laundry (boat work is never done!)  we will be ready to enjoy Old Bahama Bay for a few days.

Tom
Docked at Old Bahama Bay
West End, Grand Bahama
http://g.co/maps/e2twe