Bimini in April?

[Rickwig]

Me and my wife are planning a week in Bimini about mid April 2010. I have never been across before but plan on asking around once we get down there and in the water. Planning on leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, FL April 6th early in the morning and returning on Friday April 9th. Has anyone had any experience crossing this time of year.
I have a 27' sprotfishing boat.

Thanks for any advice.

Rick

[iiii]

Have crossed the Stream a number of times in April, but you can't just pick a date and say your going. April usually has a number of good days, but you still have to wait for the weather to be right.

[imagine2frolic]

Life just don't work that way crossing the stream, even in April. You might get stuck in Bimini, or in Lauderdale waiting to cross. If you fit under the Julia Tuttle that would be my plan...........i2f

[s/v Moondancer]

I have been many times and 9 times out of 10 you will be OK to cross but if the weather is bad or might be bad for the return just go to the Keys. Any wind over 15 knots with north in it would make for an uncomfortable trip.

[pete33458]

You can cross at any time of year, and depending on your boat and your crew, you can (generally) stick to a fixed schedule. I went across once in the classic "don't go" conditions, wind had been blowing steady from NE at 20+ kts for 3 days, seas were 8-10' N swells and 5-6' NE waves. We were an experienced crew of 4 on a 51' Dufour (triple reefed), and while it wasn't fun (by any definition), there was never any question of whether we would make it or not. On the other hand, I wouldn't do that on my 36' with ANY crew, and generally the crew I have one board is inexperienced. So whether or not you can do it really depends on your boat and your crew (hurricane conditions notwithstanding...).

If you don't have a big seaworthy boat and experinced crew, your odds of getting a larger window of moderate conditions are best in the summer, but it can happen in January too. Just have Plan B in mind, especially if you have only 4 days. pete

[Tom.B]

Wouldn't a 27' Sportfish really be able to haul arse across? I am no expert, but sportfish are designed for rough-ish seas and could go on days when my 8mph trawler should stay home. At 30-40mph (I know you can't make that speed in heavy seas in a 27'), it would only take 1.5-2 hours. You don't need THAT big of a window to make it.

Still, don't take my word for it... I've never done it. I'm just askin'.