The winds in the Gulf Stream generally clock around clockwise and you want to
leave optimally when they are out of the south east to west. Otherwise you will

have a wind in opposition to the strong current causing very steep and
uncomfortable
waves. There are many summer days when the stream is flat as a pancake, but you

cannot count on that. Having a power boat is an advantage as your crossing time
is
much faster than most sail boats. Be sure to allow for the northerly set of the
stream
in your navigation. It's about a 50 mile crossing from Florida to Bimini, and
at 35 knots, you should make it there in less than 2 hours. You can either make
a stop in
Bimini or pass to the north of it straight through to Freeport. Top up your
water and
fuel, which is very expensive in the Bahamas.

Sherwin

AGrigorof wrote:

I will be moving to Freeport, Grand Bahama this summer and I'm
thinking of purchasing a 32-34 feet / 600 HP, twin engine powerboat
cruiser. I have sailing experience (39-45 feet monohulls and cats) and
used to be a deck officer in the merchant marine but I'm not that
experienced on powerboats that size and the passage from Florida to
Grand Bahama. I know the Gulf Stream can have a big impact on
sailboats but how about a 34 feet powerboat cruiser with a cruising
speed of 30-40 knts? Is it fairly safe to make this trip? How long
does it take for example from West Palm Beach (or from somewhere in
the area) to Freeport? 4-5 hours?

sherwindu wrote:

The winds in the Gulf Stream generally clock around clockwise and you want to
leave optimally when they are out of the south east to west. Otherwise you will

have a wind in opposition to the strong current causing very steep and
uncomfortable
waves. There are many summer days when the stream is flat as a pancake, but you

cannot count on that. Having a power boat is an advantage as your crossing time
is
much faster than most sail boats. Be sure to allow for the northerly set of the
stream
in your navigation. It's about a 50 mile crossing from Florida to Bimini, and
at 35 knots, you should make it there in less than 2 hours. You can either make
a stop in
Bimini or pass to the north of it straight through to Freeport. Top up your
water and
fuel, which is very expensive in the Bahamas.

Sherwin

All good advice.

If you start from West Palm/Lake Worth, you will be going against the
stream to get to Grand Bahama. Sailboats do this and even from Ft.
Pierce, but starting from south of Miami is easier IMHO.

There is a current in the channel between Grand Bahama and the north
end of Bimini which is going out toward the Gulf Stream. There is
also a counter current to that current along the edges, just like in
the Gulf Stream.

A couple of other things. Freeport is not a place for small boats of
any kind. The place where one usually goes is Lucaya.

There are two marinas in Lucaya. The one on the left as you enter has
mostly power boats, can be noisy and is in the heart of the action.
The one on the right has most of the sailboats and is quieter at
night. There's a water taxi to the other side (free I think), and
you can walk out to the road and get a jitney bus into Freeport for
about $1.00.

They require that you pay for water as part of your dockage fee. But
this is mostly water for washing the boat. Check the water before you
put it into tanks for drinking. In Nassau the dock water is brackish
and tastes like swimming pool water..

AGrigorof wrote:

I will be moving to Freeport, Grand Bahama this summer and I'm
thinking of purchasing a 32-34 feet / 600 HP, twin engine powerboat
cruiser. I have sailing experience (39-45 feet monohulls and cats) and
used to be a deck officer in the merchant marine but I'm not that
experienced on powerboats that size and the passage from Florida to
Grand Bahama. I know the Gulf Stream can have a big impact on
sailboats but how about a 34 feet powerboat cruiser with a cruising
speed of 30-40 knts? Is it fairly safe to make this trip? How long
does it take for example from West Palm Beach (or from somewhere in
the area) to Freeport? 4-5 hours?

Thank you all for the good advice. It is clear now that such a trip
has to be started early and it may take half a day, depending on the
weather. And of course, you need a boat that you can trust! As I
mentioned, I will be living in Freeport (actually Lucaya) and I know
about the marinas there - some are state of the art, some are let's
say... affordable. We are a family of 5 and we're thinking that a
powerboat is a much better alternative to reach Florida instead of a
regular airflight (not sure if it's cheaper, we'll have to see how
much gasoline is used to go back and forth). Of course, we will use to
boat to get to the other islands as well (and maybe further down
south).

Adrian

Most important....

Don't go over if the wind has an N in it and is over 10 kts...

NE, N, NW winds will add 2' to the gulfstream and it makes the faces
VERY steep. Like hitting brick walls.

If you are going to the Abacos... go to WEST END first and the go across
the bank to the N of freeport. NW channel is a nasty bit of water.


If you are going to the central/southern bahamas in a boat that goes 20
+ knots, it is usually eaier to stay close to shore then cut towards
Bimini near boca or FLL (Maybe after fueling up to save $$$). On the
way back, you can ride the 3 kt current and go direct.

First Step... Buy EXPLORER CHARTS... NOT the govt charts. Next buy a
cruising guide for excellent information.





AdisonGrio wrote:
Thank you all for the good advice. It is clear now that such a trip
has to be started early and it may take half a day, depending on the
weather. And of course, you need a boat that you can trust! As I
mentioned, I will be living in Freeport (actually Lucaya) and I know
about the marinas there - some are state of the art, some are let's
say... affordable. We are a family of 5 and we're thinking that a
powerboat is a much better alternative to reach Florida instead of a
regular airflight (not sure if it's cheaper, we'll have to see how
much gasoline is used to go back and forth). Of course, we will use to
boat to get to the other islands as well (and maybe further down
south).

Adrian