Armond Perretta wrote in message
Sometimes it happens that when you actually _get_ to the Stream, the
"window" is closed. Leaving from Florida in one thing. Leaving from
elsewhere on the East Coast or from the Maritimes, places that are more
than
a mere 25 or 50 miles from the West Wall, is often something else again.

I have been in harbor in Bermuda and encountered "well found" boats who
lost
their rig, lost gear, and, worst of all, lost people in the Stream. I
suspect your crossings have given you a perspective that applies well to
the
locations and situations which you have directly experienced, but not so
well to the Gulf Stream in general.

Be careful about encouraging foolhardiness.


Good advice.
I have a friend who worked for local charter companies here in Halifax and
would sail down to the Virgin Islands in October
to make money over the winter.
They tried to pick a good window, but since it takes close to 7 days from
here to Bermuda, things change.
He has told me stories of losing rigging/spars/sails ...and this would be on
large wooden sailing vessels 100' long.

anecdote:

young coastie in pub says he made just two roundings of Cape Hatteras and into
the Gulf Stream, both times on an 87 foot Coast Guard cutter. first time he
said it was a piece of cake, and he wondered what all the fuss was about. The
second time was a mite rougher and he said he hoped to never again be in such
rough conditions.

Be careful about encouraging foolhardiness.

anecdote:

Old sailor was nearing Cape Hatteras with 5 GPS units, a sextant, 3
charts, and a Texaco road map, could not find the bouy and decided to
turn back for fear of hitting imaginary rocks.

The only rocks near CH were in his head.

BB