February 15 Atlantic Crossing

Our plan was to travel north on the ICW to Fort Lauderdale to meet Our Time to cross to the Bahamas. First a little about that crossing to the Bahamas. The crossing can be anywhere from 55 miles and more depending on where you depart from. The crossing from Ft. Lauderdale would be approximately 80 miles to the northeast. Lots of things to consider before this passage can be made safely. Part of this passage entails crossing the Gulf stream. The Gulf Stream is a 'river' of warm water that flows south to north through the Atlantic ocean. It is approximately 50 miles wide and moves at a velocity of 2-3 knots at its center and a portion of it lies in our path as we cross to the Bahamas. What makes for a unsafe or at the least a very uncomfortable passage is that if the wind blows out of the north or any direction partially from the north, it opposes the Gulf Stream and builds very steep and uncomfortable waves. As you can imagine weather and wind direction dictate when it is safe to make the passage to the Bahamas. As we set anchor the previous night we consulted with John and Gail from Our Time whom we had planned to meet in Fort Lauderdale for the crossing. It appears the window for crossing from a weather standpoint will only open tomorrow Friday (today) and then may close again for another week. Winds are predicted to be from the east 10 knots or less with waves of 2'. A crew meeting was held. Unfortunately our friends, Sharon & Don needed to go home in an emergency as their son-in-law was very sick. The Captain put the plan in place to cross to the Bahamas and here is how it went. The anchor was pulled at 5:30 am-still very dark but a starlight sky and the GPS chartplotter led our way to Miami and the large shipping channel where the cruise ships depart. First we dropped Sharon & Don off at the Miami Beach marina. They picked up a Taxi and were off to the Airport. We topped off our fuel tanks after waiting for the fuel man to arrive and departed the marina for the Atlantic crossing at about 7:20 am. From here to West End on Grand Bahama Island would be about 97 statute miles. The day was sunny & bright. As we departed the Port of Miami the seas were a little rough but doable. They remained that way until we hit the Gulf Stream--no street sign but it wasn't hard to tell we were in it--our speed picked up and so did those waves that were left over from the previous days north winds. Silver Foxes rolled in the waves and creaked and groaned but handled the situation admirably. Our Time was leaving from Ft. Lauderdale headed in the same destination. We tried to contact them by cell phone to ask them if they were having 'fun' also, but our conversation was garbled and we did not know they were underway for sure. We endured about an hour of that uncomfortable feeling and the Gulf stream settled down somewhat and the ride was more comfortable but it was still hard to move about. We stayed at the Flybridge to pilot the boat but no potty breaks. Soon the sea settled down a little more so Judy could go below to get lunch. As we went along I tried to call Our Time over the radio but to no avail. Only saw a few boats. Sometime after lunch, Our Time answered our call, although somewhat garbled. It was reassuring, somebody we knew was traveling in the same direction! Turned on the radar but we could not see their boat. The Gulf stream pushes you north as you travel northeast towards the Bahamas so you navigate with that in mind--let the push of the Gulf stream help you towards your destination. About 3pm we conversed with Our Time over the radio clearly and not long after we saw them on the radar. Our ride turned a little lumpy again after lunch but as we approached West End it smoothed out to a comfortable ride again. West End came into view about 4pm and we were at our dock shortly before 5pm. Clearing customs was the next order of the day. No problem there. Our Time arrived shortly thereafter. Judy and I went to the local restaurant. Food good but service not so good. Just good to be here!