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Gulf Stream
- Thread starter lacoma
- Start date
Sure you can cross the stream in a row boat, a group of people did it last year in PWC's. Personally I would not advise it unless your life insurance is paid up.
When the Gulf Stream is clam you can row across, when the stream is mean NO ship is big enough.
Be careful and do not go alone if you try it, who knows you may be lucky and live.
Honestly what you are talking about would be a very bad idea but under the right conditions and depending on where you leave from it is only 60 or so miles.
SeaQuest OE
A Lagoon 570
When the Gulf Stream is clam you can row across, when the stream is mean NO ship is big enough.
Be careful and do not go alone if you try it, who knows you may be lucky and live.
Honestly what you are talking about would be a very bad idea but under the right conditions and depending on where you leave from it is only 60 or so miles.
SeaQuest OE
A Lagoon 570
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 3238
- Messages
- 4,831
Sorry to say, but if you need to ask the question, the answer should likely be "no".
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That said, it CAN be done, though not many would want to ( or should ) do it.
The reason for the snappy "No" is that for those for whom it would be safe, the answer of when and under what conditions would be glaringly obvious. And if you are not ( yet ) familiar enough with the Stream to avoid the pitfalls, then you likely do not ( yet ) have the skills to cross safely.
One way to do it ( or at least get a detailed response of why not ) would be to contact one of the groups that often have group crossings. They will tell you what vessels they consider appropriate to cross, then when the time comes, all travel together, reducing the risks.
I could be wrong, but your question "rings all my bells".
--
That said, it CAN be done, though not many would want to ( or should ) do it.
The reason for the snappy "No" is that for those for whom it would be safe, the answer of when and under what conditions would be glaringly obvious. And if you are not ( yet ) familiar enough with the Stream to avoid the pitfalls, then you likely do not ( yet ) have the skills to cross safely.
One way to do it ( or at least get a detailed response of why not ) would be to contact one of the groups that often have group crossings. They will tell you what vessels they consider appropriate to cross, then when the time comes, all travel together, reducing the risks.
I could be wrong, but your question "rings all my bells".
If you are serious about making the crossing you should look into going with a group.
http://www.sundancemarineusa.com/mypage.html?pg=Miamiboatshow
SeaQuest OE
http://www.sundancemarineusa.com/mypage.html?pg=Miamiboatshow
SeaQuest OE
Can the boat make the trip? Yes.
How long will it take? Cruising around 20 knots out of Miami - Right around 2.5 hours on a nice, smooth day.
A word of caution: Pay very close attention to marine weather forecasts, travel with a buddy boat if you can, and make sure all systems are in good working order.
Best of luck.
How long will it take? Cruising around 20 knots out of Miami - Right around 2.5 hours on a nice, smooth day.
A word of caution: Pay very close attention to marine weather forecasts, travel with a buddy boat if you can, and make sure all systems are in good working order.
Best of luck.
Carolina Cruiser
Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- RO Number
- 8165
- Messages
- 44
A few more things to add...........
If you do cross leave at first light. Don't wait until 10 AM. Leave around 6 AM. Normally the earlier you leave the calmer the seas. And normally the seas build during the day. Have a chartplotter, VHF (at leat 2 of them) compass and a good guide book like "Yachtman's Guide to the Bahamas" from Tropic Isle Publishing. Have some charts of the area. I have been to Bimini when there were not markings for the entrance. The last few times I have been there was a range set up on the South Bimini beach. Pay close attention to the Gulf Stream Crossing section in the guide book you buy.
FTL to Bimini about 58 miles
Miami to Bimini about 50 miles
Palm Beach to West End about 70 miles
Most people who cross go during Summer months and they go on Friday or Sat and come back Sun or Mon. Plan on following their lead so there will be a lot of boats to offer help should you need it. I'm not real familiar with the Sea Ray Sundeck but it sounds like a boat for the lake and not the ocean. A 22' boat is marginal at best.
Good luck.
If you do cross leave at first light. Don't wait until 10 AM. Leave around 6 AM. Normally the earlier you leave the calmer the seas. And normally the seas build during the day. Have a chartplotter, VHF (at leat 2 of them) compass and a good guide book like "Yachtman's Guide to the Bahamas" from Tropic Isle Publishing. Have some charts of the area. I have been to Bimini when there were not markings for the entrance. The last few times I have been there was a range set up on the South Bimini beach. Pay close attention to the Gulf Stream Crossing section in the guide book you buy.
FTL to Bimini about 58 miles
Miami to Bimini about 50 miles
Palm Beach to West End about 70 miles
Most people who cross go during Summer months and they go on Friday or Sat and come back Sun or Mon. Plan on following their lead so there will be a lot of boats to offer help should you need it. I'm not real familiar with the Sea Ray Sundeck but it sounds like a boat for the lake and not the ocean. A 22' boat is marginal at best.
Good luck.
The Bahamian Tourist Office runs "Flings". Here is a link with info about the flings, http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/experience/templrgstandard.aspx?sectionid=139143&level=2 Their minimum boat length is 22 foot for Bimini flings and 24ft for all others. That said, you need to be prepared and YOU need to decide whether conditions are "right" for YOUR boat and YOUR crew. Last year, I aborted a crossing with a fling after experiencing 8 - 10 foot waves approx. 10 miles out of Ft. Lauderdale. I was the 5th boat to turn around. Most captains will tell you to never have a rigid schedule when planning a trip. If the conditions are not right, DO NOT GO! The good news is that no one was hurt and my family only refused to get back on the boat for a week instead of for the rest of their lives! We have since had 2 long trips in Florida and we are planning a Abacos trip this summer.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned fuel, so I will. I'm not sure of the capacity of the 220, but most boats of that type have smaller (compared to an offshore boat) tanks. In my opinion, one should not make a crossing without, at least, double the fuel capacity they need for a "normal" crossing at cruising speeds. So, for the run to West End, for instance, I beleive you should have 80-90 gallons of fuel (making a lot of estimates here). Hopefully that does not ruin your plans.
I made the trip in a 19' Center Console with a 150HP outboard. The boat has a 55 gallon fuel tank and I took an extra 10 gallons with me "just in case". I was with a couple of other boats, a 22'er and (2) 24'ers. Got there in just over 2 1/2 hours and could have been quicker if the fish hadn't started biting! I still had just over a half tank of fuel left when we got to port. You will need a yellow quarantine flag to fly until you are cleared by the port authority, you must show registration and insurance.
We prepped the boats the night before, and headed out of Miami at the crack of dawn; we were cleared by customs and sippin' brews before lunchtime. The water is soooo clear, and the fishing is amazing. The locals are very relaxed; beware you can easily get caught up in "island time", basically why do today what you can put off until tomorrow.
All of our boats were in top-notch running condition, we all had VHF and GPS, and we checked and rechecked the weather as well as the buoys, which you can do by phone; check the website at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=FWYF1
I would also recommend getting the Bimini Cruising Guide, it is a Vantage Point Guide you can find at Amazon. It has lots of valuable information. We went in August, the Gulf Stream is traditionally smoother in July and August, so I would plan my trip during one of these months. On the way over the water was very calm and we ran around 32 MPH until we trolled for fish; the return trip found a few 3-5' swells that slowed us to the mid-twenties.
I would suggest practicing with your boat in various conditions; pick a windy day and get out in some rough waters to familiarize yourself with how your boat handles; the middle of the Gulf Stream is not the place to stuff a wave for the first time. Know yourself and your boat; know the limitations of both! Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!
We prepped the boats the night before, and headed out of Miami at the crack of dawn; we were cleared by customs and sippin' brews before lunchtime. The water is soooo clear, and the fishing is amazing. The locals are very relaxed; beware you can easily get caught up in "island time", basically why do today what you can put off until tomorrow.
All of our boats were in top-notch running condition, we all had VHF and GPS, and we checked and rechecked the weather as well as the buoys, which you can do by phone; check the website at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=FWYF1
I would also recommend getting the Bimini Cruising Guide, it is a Vantage Point Guide you can find at Amazon. It has lots of valuable information. We went in August, the Gulf Stream is traditionally smoother in July and August, so I would plan my trip during one of these months. On the way over the water was very calm and we ran around 32 MPH until we trolled for fish; the return trip found a few 3-5' swells that slowed us to the mid-twenties.
I would suggest practicing with your boat in various conditions; pick a windy day and get out in some rough waters to familiarize yourself with how your boat handles; the middle of the Gulf Stream is not the place to stuff a wave for the first time. Know yourself and your boat; know the limitations of both! Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!