Preferred Cuts between the Bahama Bank and Exuma Sound?

[Content63]

Hi, would you please advise on your preferred Cuts between the Bahama Bank and Exuma Sound? We’ll be cruising roughly NNW in the Sound out of Great Exuma in a power catamaran with a 3’ draft and a 9 knot cruising speed. I’d like to get on the Bank side as soon as I safely can but there are choices as far as which Cut to take. Farmers; Galliot; Cave; Dotham; Big Rock etc. I’ll be aiming for as close to slack tide as possible and hope to get a wind direction matching any tidal flow…but all things considered equal, how would you rate those Cuts? Or, do you have any favored Cuts I’m leaving out?
I’d appreciate any advice based on firsthand experience. Thank you kindly….

[Captain Bill]

Any of those will work fine if the tide is flooding onto the banks or the wind blowing from the west. The banks side doesn't really get into a rage on a west wind, but under those conditions farmers works pretty well if you're concerned about it. In East winds on outgoing tides all of them will generate a bit of a rage. Dotham is probably the worst. You can however minimize your exposure to the rage by approaching from the south side relatively close to shore and making the turn into the cut at the last moment. How close depends a bit on the sea state outside of the rage and how comfortable you are in the shallows. About 75 yards off shore puts you in over 20 feet of water on the sound side near Dotham inlet. I went out of big rock once in rage conditions it's almost as bad a Dotham, but the rage doesn't seem to go out as far but is wider near shore. I have not been through Cave or Galliot in rage conditions so I can;r give any first hand advice on those. Given a choice on a strong east wind and an outgoing tide I would probably choose Farmers over Dotham and enjoy a nice trip up the inside to Black Point or Big Majors.

[slippy]

We chartered there a few weeks ago, and were told to only use the "named" cuts, meaning cuts with names on the chart. Even if your timing with tides isn't great, most cuts are decent enough.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, slippy.

[Content63]

Thank you both!

[cofc]

Rat is great in an east wind because it is oriented N/S. It’s my preferred entry/exit when going to Lee Stocking. You can technically head up the banks from there, but it’s easier to jump back out and go up the sound to Farmers or Black Point.

[Content63]

Thanks COFC,


I'll keep Rat Cut in mind if the wind that day would make using it easier.
I see you mentioned Farmers Cut too. Ever use Galliot Cut?