On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 19:12:53 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

My 28' sailboat is now in Stuart, Fl after transiting the Okechobee
waterway but I want to get to Bimini and then to the Berry Is. so I
need to get to Miami. However, I am now very tired of the ICW so I
would like to sail down the coast on the outside from Stuart to
Miami. If I stay within 5 miles of land, will I have any problems
with the Gulf Stream pushing me N.?

You can minimize the current by staying right along the beach in 20 to
30 ft of water but you will still have half a knot or so against you
in many places. If I were in Stuart going to the Bahamas, I'd skip
Miami and Bimini and go directly across to the Bahamas from either
Fort Pierce or Port St Lucie. The Pt St Lucie inlet can be dangerous
at times so be careful with that. There are several ways to cross the
banks and clear customs once you get to the Bahamas via this route.
Drop me an EMAIL at my GMAIL address if you want more details.

Another popular alternative is to go south only as far as Lake Worth
Inlet at Palm Beach and cross over to West End which is a port of
entry. Be advised that you will need $150 in US cash and passports
to clear customs in the Bahamas. You'll also need a yellow "Q" flag
and a Bahamian courtesy flag, both available at West Marine.