Morehead City/Beaufort NC to Bimini?

[davil]

Playing with options to sail from home (Morehead City/Beaufort NC) December or early January to Key West/Marathon in Florida.

Will not do the ICW, prefer outside, more likely single-handed plan to sail to Charleston and from Charleston the legs going south will be shorter.

One possibility depending on IF have a crew is to cross the Gulf Stream with the right conditions and make a direct sail to Bimini, then again cross the stream again and sail to the coast.

The only reason to consider this option will be to avoid the coastal traffic.

The only negative I can see is having to perhaps stay in Bimini for time, waiting again the right weather for a crossing the stream.

Any Bahamas destination may be too complicated?

If any member has done it will appreciate your experience

thanks

[Lodesman]

Can't see why you'd want to cross the GS twice, given it's counter to where you want to go? Not to mention, you'd have to pay the entrance fee for The Bahamas, without taking advantage of doing The Bahamas. Overnight hops from Morehead to Southport, then Charlestown, then Fernandina, then maybe Canaveral, Fort Pierce, Lauderdale. South of Jupiter you'll have to be close into shore to avoid the stream.

[davil]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Can't see why you'd want to cross the GS twice, given it's counter to where you want to go? Not to mention, you'd have to pay the entrance fee for The Bahamas, without taking advantage of doing The Bahamas. Overnight hops from Morehead to Southport, then Charlestown, then Fernandina, then maybe Canaveral, Fort Pierce, Lauderdale. South of Jupiter you'll have to be close into shore to avoid the stream.

==============================

agree

was one of those ideas that need a reality check

thanks

[Roniszoro]

I've done it on a number of occasions single handing. (a day = 24 hours)

Beaufort to Charleston: Leave in the afternoon doing two overnights and arriving in the morning - 1 1/2 days - 202 NM

Charleston to Fernandina - 1+ day - 146 NM

Fernandina to Port Canaveral - 1+day - 143 NM

Port Canaveral to Palm Beach - 1 day -105 NM

Palm Beach to Miami (Biscayne Bay) 2/3 day - 65 NM

Various options to Key West.



NEVER make a night landfall. If you are making good time and think you'll get somewhere before dawn, reef. I've slowed my boat to 3 knots be be sure I arrive in day light.

There is a reverse eddie off of the stream that can help you with 1/2 -3/4 knot. One must be careful for the little guys bobbing in their small boats with their fishing poles...no AIS. If it is blowing out of the north, that helps as 1) you'll make good time and 2) the little fishing guys won't come out.

Forget Bimini: 2 Gulf Stream crossings plus a $300 cruising fee makes no sense.

Have a nice sail!