St Thomas to Hilton Head Passage Planning

[malyea]

I'll be crewing on a Frers 41 leaving St Thomas on/about June 10th bound for Hilton Head.

Planned route is offshore, straight line direct bypassing the Bahamas to the northeast (ie leaving them to port). 1300 nm of ocean passage at an average of 160 nm each 24 hours so 9 days or so on passage.

Other than the possible issue of it being early hurricane season, what specific and general weather pattern and passage considerations would be important to this specific route?

Thanks!

[skipmac]

If by straight line you mean a direct rhumb line course I would personally modify that slightly. I would set a course towards the Turks and Caicos and then more or less follow the eastern edge of the Bahamas. Once north of the Abacos set a course towards Daytona Beach area until 50-80 miles off the coast, then set a course direct to Hilton Head.

This will give several benefits:

- you see the max benefit of the trade winds and Gulf Stream
- you will be a little closer to the islands in case something breaks or you just feel like a little R&R.
- less chance of head winds on the last leg of the trip.

The time frame is about as good as it could get for the trip. Very low chance of a late season front from the north and pretty low risk of an early hurricane. Although I have seen both the trip is short enough the forecast should be accurate at least until the last few days of the trip for you to pick your weather window.

[skipmac]

One other comment, 160 nm/day is certainly possible but assumes good sailing breezes all day every single day, no problems, gear failures, etc. I would allow at least 14 days if I had an absolutely "have to be there or else commitment" at the end of the trip. If the boat has adequate tankage and the captain is willing to motor to keep up the average speed then that would increase the odds of making that schedule.

[mdvick]

Originally Posted by skipmac

If by straight line you mean a direct rhumb line course I would personally modify that slightly. I would set a course towards the Turks and Caicos and then more or less follow the eastern edge of the Bahamas. Once north of the Abacos set a course towards Daytona Beach area until 50-80 miles off the coast, then set a course direct to Hilton Head.

This will give several benefits:

- you see the max benefit of the trade winds and Gulf Stream
- you will be a little closer to the islands in case something breaks or you just feel like a little R&R.
- less chance of head winds on the last leg of the trip.

The time frame is about as good as it could get for the trip. Very low chance of a late season front from the north and pretty low risk of an early hurricane. Although I have seen both the trip is short enough the forecast should be accurate at least until the last few days of the trip for you to pick your weather window.

+1! Great trip...

[Hud3]

+1 @ Skipmac.

Be sure to catch a ride on the Gulf Stream--great fun to see the SOG at 10-11 knots for hours on end. Any fronts you encounter that time of year should be easily manageable in your boat.