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Wayne.B

On 18 Apr 2007 10:42:14 -0700, wrote:

Sounds reasonable. Nothing like the voice of experience. I see your
point. Do others in this group concur, then--assuming conditions and
Mr. Murphy will permit--that a crossing leaving from West Palm mid
afternoon and heading directly to an achorage at Great Sale, then
checking in somewhere east of Great Sale, is the best routing option
for starting the trip?

It will certainly get you into the heart of the Abacos a lot more
quickly and maximize the use of your departure weather window.

We did the trip in 3 weeks last year, and frankly it was barely enough
even though we cruise a trawler at 8 to 10 kts, and pulled a couple of
all nighters on the way back. Of course we were coming and going from
the Florida left coast so that adds a day or two each way.

One of the risks you face is getting stuck over there longer than you
expect waiting for adverse weather to clear. Consequently any time
you can gain on the front end improves your margins on the back end.

A big 20 to 30 kt nor'easter came in last year while we were in Marsh
Harbour early May. We were able to go to Hopetown and Little Harbor
but the waves were really rolling in on the outside of the reef.
After waiting a few extra days for things to lighten up we headed
south to Spanish Wells in following seas of 10 to 12 ft. No problem
but it was kind of interesting to watch 50 ft sportfishing boats with
full tuna towers disappear behind a wave once in awhile.