Crossing the Exuma bank with 10ft draft

[Nautilus7]

Hi,

I’m planning to sail from Exumas to Bimini and crossing the Exuma bank from Highborne cay straight to west (272deg) it looks like the depths dont go below 12. Have anyone of you sailed that line and do you remember what depths did your sounder have?

It might be doable in calm weather and good visibility?

[phorvati]

A bit aggressive. Navigating the bank is all visual and very little chart navigation. I sweated the 7.5' draft back in 2007 in the Abacos, and then from Nassau to Exumas. From what i remember, typically, cruising guides indicate water colors and depths for around 6'. You need to asses what color of water represents safe level for your draft. And stay away from anything else that might imply shallower.
Then of course you read the coral heads and stay away from them. And don't motor into the sun. That meas don't travel in the early part of the morning for your direction. And obviously don't travel at night.

Galliot cut is the way to exit the banks. But to get to Galliot cut from the banks, it might be difficult for your draft.

[neilpride]

I did it with my old C&C , 6,6 fin keel draft, and i'm telling you that it gives respect to see a starfish as if they were 1 foot deep, as they say, in the daytime, with sun, slowly and reading the color of the water.

[caradow]

Last winter on my way to North Carolina from St. Martin I got caught in a very early Cat 1 hurricane that came up from the south of Mexico. So hung out in the Exumas for around a week instead of continuing with my easterly track. Thought about doing what you are asking and but got cold feet. I draw 7'6" and did not want to complicate my life so stayed east of Eleuthera......painful but I could sail at night and was not worried about shallow water. Honestly because of so many shifting banks I don't think I would do it even in daylight hours.
Best

[FabioC]

It depends. Doable if staying offshore (best during the day to spot the shallows), we generally observed depths between 12' and 15', rarely less than that and the shallows were easily identifiable.
Most of the anchorages, however, are in the 7'-10' range (with shallower spots), so it may be tricky. Generally speaking, Navionics is reasonably accurate, but of course spotting the shallows has to be visual.

[Chris Cringle]

You bet your boat.

[Captain Bill]

It's been a while, but I did that route about 15 years ago and as I remember we had pretty deep water the whole way. I don't remember crossing anything shallower than about 15 feet. On the other hand you said you were headed to Bimini. Can I assume you are taking the long way around the Berry's and out Northwest Providence Channel and not through Northwest Channel. If you try the Northwest Channel route your keel will be four feet under the sand well short of your destination. I only draw four feet and I've been concerned in a few spots at the western end of the route.

[caradow]

If you go for it please let us know how you did.
thanks

[MicHughV]

ditto.....I'm also curious to see the outcome of this route...please post here....