Well, we missed our window - the weather is currently about perfect to
cross right now, and had we been able to leave 3 days ago, the sail
down would have been lovely, too, but right now it's a real mess to
leave here, and worse when we get to Marathon, for the crossing - but
we're very close to leaving.

We have to be in Georgetown by March 1, and intend going over the
banks to get there as the most expeditious, presuming some significant
wait for another crossing window.

From St. Pete, we'd expected to go to Marathon, and cross there.
Various people have suggested crossing at Rodriguez Key, being a
lovely sheltered place to hang out for the window. It's also been
characterized as the thinnest place (least time in the stream) to
cross in that area. However, that's substantially north of Marathon,
a distance we'd have to make up on the other side.

All my searching has failed to find size images of the stream at
various points. I've found speed, but that's not useful to this
project.

So, for those who have done it (gone direct from the west coast of FL
to Georgetown), where did you cross?

Second question: where do I find charts or indications of the stream
width in southern Florida?

Thanks.

L8R

Skip

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
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On 2 Feb 2007 10:02:46 -0800, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

From St. Pete, we'd expected to go to Marathon, and cross there.
Various people have suggested crossing at Rodriguez Key, being a
lovely sheltered place to hang out for the window. It's also been
characterized as the thinnest place (least time in the stream) to
cross in that area. However, that's substantially north of Marathon,
a distance we'd have to make up on the other side.

Skip,

You have to go north from Marathon anyway since there is no safe
passage to Georgetown south of Andros Island. We did the reverse trip
last April crossing from Chub Cay to Hawk Channel via Northwest
Channel, Russell Tower and the passage just south of Castle Rock.
There is plenty of water across the banks there as long as you don't
stray too far from the rhumb line routes.

You can clear customs at Chub Cay although you may have to dinghy in
if the marina work has not been completed. You can call from the
states and find out. 242-325-1490

http://www.chubcay.com/

Once you clear in at Chub, you are officially out of Florida and the
US.

On 2 Feb 2007 10:02:46 -0800, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

All my searching has failed to find size images of the stream at
various points. I've found speed, but that's not useful to this
project.

The bulk of the stream is 12 to 15 miles wide with the effects being
felt for another 10 to 15 miles beyond that. You will begin to pick
it up as soon as you get a few miles south east of Hawk Channel.

On 2 Feb 2007 10:02:46 -0800, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

Second question: where do I find charts or indications of the stream
width in southern Florida?

You have to infer stream location primarily by water temperature
however the east coast NOAA weather radio broadcasts usually give a
location forecast. The position is relatively stable within the
Straits of Florida.

http://tinyurl.com/ysfumg

Wayne.B wrote:

On 2 Feb 2007 10:02:46 -0800, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

Second question: where do I find charts or indications of the stream
width in southern Florida?

You have to infer stream location primarily by water temperature
however the east coast NOAA weather radio broadcasts usually give a
location forecast. The position is relatively stable within the
Straits of Florida.

http://tinyurl.com/ysfumg

We don't usually care about exactly where the stream is between FL and
the Bahamas. I look at the water temperature (it's one of the gauges
we have) and if it gets warmer and I am going south along the coast, I
go in closer to shore. If I'm going east, I just try to head east as
much as possible and figure out where I've got to when I get there.
Going north, I just try not to get into a counter current Between the
Bahamas and Florida, it is usually within a few miles of the shore on
each side.

"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
ups.com:

We have to be in Georgetown by March 1

Poor Flying Pig. FP is a sailboat. NOONE has ever gotten to where they
HAVE TO BE on a sailboat. Many of those that have tried, have died trying!

You have to be in Georgetown when Flying Pig and Mother Nature is ready to
get there. Otherwise, you got the wrong boat!

Larry
--
Democracy is when two wolves and a sheep vote on who's for dinner.
Liberty is when the sheep has his own gun.

"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
ups.com:

We have to be in Georgetown by March 1, and intend going over the
banks to get there as the most expeditious, presuming some significant
wait for another crossing window.

You're violating the #1 rule of cruising:

Never sail to a schedule!

However, you've got a month to get there, so you should be in good shape.

-- Geoff