What do you mean you cannot cross the Gulf Stream
in a Norther?

I have crossed to the Bahamas in a Norther and
crossed from the Bahamas to Florida in a Norther.
It's a myth that it cannot be done. Actually, it's not
all that bad in 20-25 knots of wind. Sure the seas
heap up a little steeper in a Norther but they are
manageable.

Small craft advisory does not apply to a well-found
covered-deck sailboat. It's only for open boats and
primarily for open motor boats.

I tuck one reef in the main and use the 75% jib
and go along at hull speed. The ride is not bad because
there are mostly big beam rollers with a few greybeards
now and then that might board the cockpit with a few
buckets of water now and then.

The good news is the northerly current of the Stream
seems to slow down so one does not have to fight it as
one must when sailing in southerly winds.


"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ...
My average speed, for general conditions, is roughly 7 knots. That's what I base my
passage planning on. However, its not uncommon to do 9 or 10 if the wind is pushing 20.
I've been over 11 with plain sail without help from waves. (Surfing we've been to 13.5)
On my recent trip to Salem we were doing 5.5 to 7 knots in a 10 to 12 knot breeze (as
entered in my log, a legal document). About the same going to P'town. I generally figure
I'm a knot or two fast then monohulls my size.

The Norther's that Neal talks about are a standard wind that covers the FL area though the
winter. Its often about 20-25 knots, and can setup for 2 or 3 weeks without a break.
Since you can't cross the Gulf Stream in a Norther, hundreds of boats wait in on the East
Coast of FL for a window.

Neal might be able to beam reach in a Norther at 6.8 through the water, but its pushing it
a bit. With full sail, in 26 knots, his sail generates 22 hp, which puts him under 300
pounds per hp - enough to push through hull speed somewhat. Of course, although my
predicted speed would be 10+ knots, I'm not constrained by hull speed, so I'd be doing
more, with reefed sails.


"CANDChelp" wrote in message
...
Average speed on a trip across the Gulf of Mexico in a
broad reach during a norther from Panama City sea buoy
to Egmont Key sea buoy (Tampa Bay) was 7.3 knots
average speed. This is fact and recorded my my log
which is a legal document. There is perhaps a 1/2 knot
favorable current in the Gulf in this direction.

Jeff, what is the average speed made by your multi hull when passaging making.

RB