First Trip from West Palm to the Bahamas

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by ggray

Good information here, but a float plan needs to be given to a family member or friend before/at departure who would report to the Coast Guard only should you not contact that person within a reasonable time after your expected arrival time. The Coast Guard would take over then.

But be sure to contact your friend when you arrive!

Excellent point to add.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by BGJ

One final question, is there a best month to make the crossing? We're flexible and would prefer to plan to avoid unnecessary fronts and or hurricanes. Thanks again for all your wisdom! J&C

With your speed, range and other factors you can go most any time you like since you only need a very short weather window to cross the Gulf Stream.

But the big picture.

Roughly Dec to April or May you get winter weather patterns. This means a cold front moving into FL and the Bahamas which usually starts with rain then turns colder with strong winds from NW-N-NE. This can make crossing the Stream a problem. Depending on the front, how strong and how quickly it moves through or if it stalls along the coast this could last a day or a week. Also new fronts can come through every few days or it could be a week or three between fronts. Later in the season they are usually fewer and weaker.

Then starting summer you hit hurricane season. USUALLY they are forecast days or even weeks out but especially early in the season one can pop up on very short notice in the Bahamas. But again with your speed you can get home or to a shelter pretty quickly. With your shallow draft you can also find a tight spot way up a creek and even ground the boat if necessary to hide out.

But summer winds tend to be lighter and seas calmer so more days you can travel. But tends to be a bit warmer.

I would shoot for early spring as a good option but be flexible in the timing. I planned a trip first of June one year and a very last front passed through and shot us down.

[davil]

[QUOTE=skipmac;

Then starting summer you hit hurricane season. USUALLY they are forecast days or even weeks out but especially early in the season one can pop up on very short notice in the Bahamas.

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yeah!!!

[url]https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2021-05-20-atlantic-subtropical-storm-ana-depression-may[/url]