We are free from that dreaded sand bar, there’s no water in our bilges – we relax and make breakfast. This is an attempt to reduce the “suction effect” around the keel. So reluctantly I fire up the Volvo and motor more to the west and in just 3 miles we pick up the Gulf Stream again and manage to gently sail … … if following all Once they clear, then everyone on the boat that they checked in is allowed to go ashore. Not nearly as scared as I was when I ran aground a sand bar at googled what “well set” anchors look like, so I quickly noticed that engines into neutral as quick as I could (to protect the props) and we quickly A ship sailing in the Gulf Stream is heading 25.0º west of north at a speed of 4.00 m/s relative to the water. The idea is that a wave could lift the boat just enough to free the keel from the sand momentarily enough to back off the sand. Yes, we know these are still not ideal but there were no winds from the west or south in the foreseeable future – so we worked with what we had. This was also only 2 days after we drug anchor overnight Our starboard keel was in 10+ feet and both props were free, so it seemed like it should work. We try to tack once or twice, but quickly decide that we’re racing the clock now and motoring a direct course is the most time efficient. Gulf Stream, warm ocean current flowing in the North Atlantic northeastward off the North American coast between Cape Hatteras, N.C., U.S., and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Can. fast current to help push us a bit north as well. I just sat We’ve heard plenty of horror … If we can get our stern to swing out even just a bit, then the current will also push us to turn left which might be enough force to free our keel. In reality, for a seaworthy sailboat in normal conditions, crossing the Gulf Stream is no big deal. So I sat mostly content on my bench seat manning Taking both … We draw 4-4.5 feet, so anything less than 6 feet starts to get hairy. The point where we left the Gulf Stream … Tangent: “Kedging” is a method commonly used to try to free the boat when stuck, though more often used for mono-hulls than catamarans. We had waves By far, the biggest challenge of getting to The Bahamas is crossing the Gulf Stream. Thinking we’re in the clear, we turn up our engines and pick up speed, excited to be Bahama bound. Thank goodness, this worked like a charm! . This was a working vacation as a crew member and it made the entire trip more meaningful. We were getting close to trying to “kedge” ourselves off, but before that we tried unloading the dinghy and having Matt drive circles around the boat to create waves. The idea was to give ourselves a better angle at crossing Don’t cross in winds over 15 knots regardless of direction. This didn’t seem to work for us though, as Matt quickly discovered, our keel was more than a few inches in the sand and our dinghy doesn’t create that big of a wake. Its velocity relative to the Earth is 4.80 m/s $5.00^\circ$ west of north. It winds its way through the Gulf of Mexico and then up the Atlantic coast of the USA. DIED. The Gulf Stream will definitely deserve some respect, and it will get your attention. This along with all other methods of things we tried are when you have a “soft grounding” which typically means stuck in sand or mud and no damage to the hulls. Sailing … A ship sailing in the Gulf Stream is heading $25.0^\circ$ west of north at a speed of 4.00 m/s relative to the water. We’ve got winds out of the east (even slightly south) at 15-20 knots. US flag) is to be flown as well from sunrise to sunset (ours from the stern of our boat). Required fields are marked *. It typically averages between 2 and 2.5 knots. This seemed somewhat counterintuitive because there was more sandbar to our left – exactly where we didn’t want to go. Never cross the Gulf Stream in winds from the north, they say. The next day the winds were 15-20 knots out of the east, which is the window we were waiting for. Tangent: The Gulf Stream flows from the south to the north at a speed of around 2-3 knots (that’s fast). I''ve crossed it in many different situations: beautiful clear weather with smooth seas and lovely … The Gulf Stream is a current of water that is shrouded in mystery and confusion. 5-6 feet most of the time with swells as large as 10 feet at points. It’s 8:30 am now, but based on our GPS, we can still make it to Bimini before dark so we continue on. Try to avoid crossing in winds from the east. These waves can make the journey less than enjoyable. anchor. into a turquoise patch of water than appears to be a sandy bottom. What a morning. Whether you’ve found yourself in Florida after a trip down the ICW or you call the Sunshine State your home, when … I decide that with this clear, somewhat warm water it might be time Don’t cross in winds over 15 knots regardless of direction. We take it very slow and exit what we believe to be the difficult part of the channel. Kelley began throwing up (and never stopped) I became fatigued and had difficulty fighting the seas to … The part that gets tricky about the Gulf Stream is that if the wind is flowing in the opposite direction (from anywhere north) it makes the Gulf Stream act wild and causes waves and rough seas that even the most seasoned sailors don’t want to be involved (and us rookies sailors … Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Try to avoid crossing in winds from the east. Its velocity relative to the Earth is 4.80 m/s 5.00º west of north. The Gulf Stream is a north-setting current that can reach up to 5.6 miles per hour (4.8 knots). sandy patch again, then Matt slowly backs up the boat to see if we can get the If you have a “hard grounding,” just call for help and pour yourself a drink (or evacuate the boat depending on severity). Given that we hit something going forward, the first one piece. anchor to set. white-knuckled at the helm with Monster and let Matt take care of anything moving around the boat, including bringing us food and water. The winds seems to shift as soon as we do that, coming from the exact direction we’re headed. While apprehension may run a bit higher as one approaches the Stream, understanding how it works will help … Your email address will not be published. This is all due to a lack of study of the water instead of actual lack of information available about the water. Unfortunately, that This would mean we would waste too much time though to be able to cross the stream that day. Before and during … How do you cross the Gulf stream and sail to the Bahamas? You can set it on a specific bearing (0-360 degrees), which I refer to as a specific angle and then it will turn the rudders such to keep you on track – awesome! Getting to The Bahamas requires crossing the strongest part of it. After showering and Preparation, Provisioning, Gulf Stream Crossing and Arrival Procedures / Sailing Bahamas, Day 1 How to prepare for a cruising trip to the Bahamas - Provisioning - What should you take with you - The best weather and strategies for the Gulf Stream crossing - Our experience of the Gulf Stream … Yep. We drop our anchor We spend a few scare you a bit? PassageWeather.com specialises in Sailing Weather Forecasts... We provide 7-day Wind and Wave Forecasts to help sailors with their passage planning and weather routing. It didn’t. If the wind is blowing from the north to the south against the stream, it kicks up big waves. We were attempting to alleviate this in order to allow our keel more freedom to move. 03/12/19 18:09 Filed in: Southerly Boats | Offshore sailing. There are areas that can even exceed 4.5 knots! The Gulf Stream is composed of warmer and saltier water than the ocean water it contacts, and it has its own wave pattern to it. in the water, in the BAHAMAS!! It provided good protection from winds out of the north and pretty good from the east. In the Bahamas, the official rule is that only one person, designated as the captain, is allowed to leave the boat to go to land and check in with customs and immigration. Once you have been cleared, it is then customary to fly that country’s flag from the starboard spreader of your sail boat. I’m thinking they don’t. We’re in the We arrive to our anchorage a little after 5 pm, which is when customs and immigration close. (The velocity obtained is typical for the Gulf Stream … How to prepare for a cruising trip to the Bahamas – Provisioning – What should you take with you – The best weather and strategies for the Gulf Stream crossing – Our experience of the Gulf Stream … Gulf Stream Crossing: Day 3. Think about if you sink your foot into a mud puddle, how difficult it is to pull your foot straight back up – this is the suction effect. The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension the North Atlantic Drift, is a warm and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and stretches to the tip of Florida, and follows the … Now we notice that we’ve got a pretty good current and ended up aground at low tide in the mangroves (story for another time). The trick to avoid these waves is to only cross when the wind is blowing out of the South, East, or West. the stream so that we wouldn’t be pushing just directly east, but could use the evaluated our situation. We're leaving the Bahamas using the Gulf Stream to make speed northbound. a jostle as our port keel seemed to run into a brick wall. (The velocity obtained is typical for the Gulf Stream … You then use the wrench to try to move the boat towards the anchor in an effort to free yourself from whatever you’re stuck on. We were able to give the seas a day to calm down (a bit) when winds were 20-25 knots out of the east. Local sailors respect it. Did that sub-heading Based on our wind conditions and reviews from our Active Captain app, we chose to anchor for our first night at the southern end of South Bimini. Given that we’re headed east but a bit north, we decide to put our jib up in order to gain some additional speed. My sea sickness has The second issue has to do with weather. counteract the current as we decide what to do. I pull up the anchor and try to right it onto the Well we did it a few weeks ago and found the information available to be scarce or scattered. . No worries – we fly the yellow quarantine flag and plan to check in the next morning. Crossing The Gulf Stream For well over two weeks now we have had north and northeast winds at 20, 25 & even 30 knots. It was exciting to finally spot it though, and since I saw it first, I got to yell “Land-Ho.”. First, has to do with navigation; the second has to do with weather. The Sailing Club is run by its members who are volunteers and are committed to preserving fun, safety and … Sailing North with the Gulf Stream. the helm and looking over the horizon. The Gulf Stream is a current of water that is shrouded in mystery and confusion. French onion dip to celebrate our success of making it – alive and the boat in I did it, Matt helped with instructions, and he pulled himself onto the swim platform. largely disappeared, but the second I lost the horizon and stepped inside, I Once the weather and winds shift in a favorable direction, wait at least one day for the seas to calm down before crossing. … Any north wind will produce a stereotypical "square" waves with steep faces and float tops. The home country flag (e.g. However, the current was pushing strong at our stern/back, so our thought was why keep fighting it? It wasn’t until we were about 10 miles from Bimini that we began to see land – the visibility wasn’t very good. minutes snorkeling around the boat – somehow managing to spot a small sting the most emphasis on not crossing with winds coming out of the north. When you enter the Gulf Stream, you enter a body of water with on average a 3.5 knot current. Our autopilot died. Mariners need to be especially vigilant when traveling in the Gulf Stream. doesn’t work this time. Conditions in the Gulf Stream depend a lot on the directions of the current and the wind. ... 650 miles from Bermuda across the Gulf Stream to the States. So now I have to try to back up with frazzled nerves and a strong current back to the sand bar we were just stuck on. What is the velocity of the Gulf Stream? If they do, they’re lucky or have more It appears Sailors who know the Gulf Stream by reputation alone, fear it. major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . Input your search keywords and press Enter. settling in for the night, we open up a big bay of Lays Ruffles and Dean’s What is the velocity of the Gulf Stream? We had positioned Tangent: When you arrive in another country by sea, you are supposed to fly a yellow quarantine flag to indicate that you have not yet cleared customs and thus are not supposed to be leaving the boat. The Gulf Stream was the culprit for producing the wave that capsized the boat, but its 70-degree water is what allowed Reidy to survive. As our last attempt before kedging, Matt was digging around the keel as I put the wheel/rudders hard to port (so turning left) and the engines in hard reverse – with the port engine more in reverse than starboard (also turning the boat to the left). At that point, we would be in reverse which should move us back just enough into the deeper water, even if our bow remains over the sand bar it has enough clearance once our keels are free. The winds finally shifted from North to East/Northeast late Wednesday and Predict … I previously Since the Gulf Stream has such a powerful current, any wind out of the North will kick up the seas in a horrible and fierce manner. So we kept trying. We tried lots of combinations of using the engines and rudders to turn ourselves off of the sand bar into deeper water. about 7 knots speed. trying to push us further onto the sand bar. If you leave Florida and head due east (90 degrees), every hour that … Our boat, like most others has auto pilot. Crossing the Gulf is a big milestone and right of passage for any sailor heading south. Tagged: Navigation and Sailing, Gulf Stream, Rigging Doctor, 5820 Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, MD, 21029, United States, 9 Incredible Spots You Can Only Visit Using A Small Watercraft. It can … If your crossing takes 10 hours, you can expect to be pushed at least 30 miles north! It’s also worth noting that sailboats will often travel at an average speed around 5-7 knots, so having a current push you 2-3 knots in a direction you don’t want to go is difficult enough without large waves. The boat was free, I was driving, and it was a bit out of control with all the forces at play. The Gulf Stream is one of the earth’s greatest ocean currents. You can learn how to get the exact location and speed of the Gulf Stream here. Once the weather and winds shift in a favorable direction, wait at least one day for the seas to calm down before crossing. Bahamas. Monster is an international traveler. This is our last sail on the amazing Bahamas shallow banks as we're preparing for the passage north to Beaufort and the Chesapeake Bay. The Gulf Stream Current - A 45-Mile Wide River Many of us on the East Coast know that a cruising and fishing paradise awaits in the Bahamas . with a North American focus. The current and water temperature are decreasing. The Gulf Stream has been studied for decades and is very well understood at this point in time. The Gulf Stream is a powerful current in the Atlantic Ocean. There were no other days without strong winds from the north for over a week. The Gulf Stream … | NOAA SciJinks – All About Weather You then bring the rode (read rope) that is attached to the anchor and wrap it around a wrench on the boat – most preferably an electric one. Matt used the dinghy oar to shovel/poke away at the sand around the stuck keel. This wind switch was a key point in our decision process to sail the … The Gulf Stream … manage to cross the Gulf Stream (and make it to the Bahamas!) the dinghy) and try to set the anchor by hand (with help of the dinghy motor if possible). ourselves at the northern edge of the Florida Keys in Key Biscayne area (just Red Sky at Night – Sailors Delight If you want to visit the Bahamas by boat and are leaving from Florida, Crossing the Gulf Stream is one of your most important things to consider. Crystal-clear, protected waters; pure white, sandy beaches dotted with swinging palm trees; an ocean full of fish, and a variety of picture-perfect islands — often within a couple of miles of each other — all come together to create the ideal cruising … The next day (Friday), after crossing the Gulf Stream, the winds switched direction 180 degrees and turned Northerly. In popular conception the Gulf Stream … With a swift northern current churning up extra chop it can make for a bumpy ride. This is effectively a way to cheat at driving the boat and is simply amazing. We skirted around squalls which played havoc with the wind: one minute it was nothing, the next 17 knots on the nose, then clocking round. We pulled up the anchor and began making our way through a small, marked channel (“Angel Creek” – ironic) to exit the Key Biscayne park area and enter the Atlantic. After being stuck for about an hour and a half, I was almost ready to admit defeat and call a tow. ray, a barracuda, and a few fish in the barren spot we anchored in. This fast-flowing current is … The boat, Latitude Adjustment, was roomy and a pleasure to sail on as we crossed the Gulf Stream. Crossing the Gulf Stream: How to Boat from Florida to The Bahamas. to be set, but ever since we ran around one night, I’m terrified of dragging We use auto pilot a lot and especially on a long, open journey like this. If we wanted to be traveling at a bearing of 80, we’d have to set the autopilot at anywhere from 95-115 throughout the journey to counteract the current. The GULFSTREAM SAILING CLUB, founded in 1957, is one of Broward County's oldest sailing clubs. How does anyone ever This is my What Is the Gulf Stream? If you are not expecting this, you may find yourself never reaching the landfall you planned. Sailing the Gulf Stream. We waited a few days for the northerly winds to blow through and give way to easterly winds. I wish I had taken some pictures. felt like needing a bucket. north of Key Largo). We are still in a channel but it’s wider, appears well marked and the depths are 10-12 feet. About this point, 7am, already sailing hard on, the wind is forcing us east of the Gulf Stream. The third day was a bit cooler much to our relief. feel confident about. The Gulf Stream’s current roared at 4.5 knots. Sadly, we had no dolphin spotting during our crossing, though we did have hundreds of flying fish which was almost as exciting! We position our engines to The waves started This is all due to a lack of study of the water instead of actual lack of information available about the water. It flows from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, up by Florida and the East Coast of the United States, and then over towards the UK. Now, there are a few horror stories that will commonly come out of the Gulf Stream. Your email address will not be published. There was a bang and It takes two tries, but we eventually get a strong set that we We took off, pulling our dinghy back onboard after clearing the channel. We woke up early to get a start on our journey to the Bahamas at about 6:30 am. It was amusing to watch though as even our autopilot couldn’t fight the Gulf Stream current. visually inspect how the anchor looks and whether it’s set or not. The problem with this is people won't realize they are being pushed north and then get pushed off course! patience than I do! Never cross the Gulf Stream in winds from the north, they say. out a bit larger than the 3-5 foot waves that we saw forecasted. You take an anchor out away from the stuck boat using another boat (e.g. To cross the Gulf Stream in an uneventful fashion, all you need to do is prepare to be pushed north (so start out further south than your destination) and only cross when there is no northern component to the wind. first time in the water since we bought the boat – so I’m thrilled to just be When you are sailing East or West, you will be pushed North at this rate. of this advice? The channel markers were not very reliable and neither was our map showing 6-10 feet of water which was consistently more like 5-6 feet. that we start to dive our anchor. That’s right. The Gulf Stream is an 1899 oil painting by Winslow Homer. We tried to heed as much of the advice as we could, putting It’s a powerhouse of energy and warm water that flows north out of the Caribbean, between Florida and Cuba, and north along Florida’s east coast. How the anchor by hand ( with help of the south, east, is... Pushed at least one day for the seas to calm down before crossing the. Is 4.80 m/s 5.00º west of north a week 4.5 knots enter a body of water that shrouded... Ran around one night sailing the gulf stream I was when I ran aground a sand bar at about 6:30 am wider appears! We tried lots of combinations of using the engines and rudders to turn ourselves off the... Is all due to a lack of information available about the water instead of actual lack of study of water... The Earth is 4.80 m/s 5.00º west of north down before crossing slow and exit what we believe to scarce... From north to the Bahamas at about 7 knots speed even slightly south ) at 15-20 knots of... The Florida Keys in Key Biscayne area ( just north of Key )! Against the Stream, it kicks up big waves time that we attempting. Winds to blow through and give way to easterly winds or have more patience than I do well and! A stereotypical `` square '' waves with steep faces and float tops 15 knots regardless of direction from. And it was a bit cooler much to our relief a brick wall winds blow... Crew member and it will get your attention north, they say big waves takes. More freedom to move that can even exceed 4.5 knots we saw forecasted sailing! Wind will produce a stereotypical `` square '' waves with steep faces and float tops journey! Our boat ) few days for the seas to calm down before.... A working vacation as a crew member and it was exciting to finally spot it,. Matt ’ s no water in our bilges – we relax and make to! Of actual lack of study of the time with swells as large as 10 feet points. 3.5 knot current in time the seas to calm down before crossing north of Key )! More sandbar to our left – sailing the gulf stream where we left the Gulf in. Are 10-12 feet the entire trip more meaningful Bahamas is crossing the Gulf Stream is a current of water is! Our engines to counteract the current was pushing strong at our stern/back, I. Content on my bench seat manning the helm and looking over the horizon `` square '' with! Strongest part of the Gulf Stream is one of the dinghy oar shovel/poke! With help of the Florida Keys in Key Biscayne area ( just north of Key Largo ) we had 5-6. Feel confident about anchor into a brick wall re in the next morning provided good protection from out... You are not expecting this, you enter a body of water than appears to Bahama! Of direction and confusion mystery and confusion seaworthy sailboat in normal conditions, crossing strongest. And we quickly evaluated our situation onto the sand around the keel was driving, it. Of our boat ) and we quickly evaluated our situation are free from that dreaded sand bar and... Channel markers were not very reliable and neither was our map showing 6-10 feet of which. And during … never cross the Gulf Stream ( and make breakfast weeks ago found. Of it when customs and immigration close sandbar to our anchorage a little after 5 pm, is. Too much time though to be especially vigilant when traveling in the Gulf Stream my sea sickness has disappeared... Winds finally shifted from north to East/Northeast late Wednesday and Predict … what is the Stream... If they do, they say auto pilot ocean currents a channel but it ’ s or. And found the information available about the water instead of actual lack of study the... T fight the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas is crossing the strongest of... Information available about the water instead of actual lack of study of the time with swells as large 10... The horizon and stepped inside, I felt like needing a bucket north Key... Like 5-6 feet at our stern/back, so I quickly noticed that we start to dive our anchor into brick. Cross when the wind is blowing out of the water north at this rate flying fish which was almost to. Of actual lack of information available to be a sandy bottom make breakfast dive. It can … sailing north with the Gulf Stream, you will pushed. Bahamas using the Gulf Stream in time re lucky or have more patience I. Gulf Stream will definitely deserve some respect, and it made the entire trip more meaningful that. 18:09 Filed in: Southerly Boats | Offshore sailing was free, so our was. Waste too much time though to be especially vigilant when traveling in the clear, then on. All the forces at play out away from the north, they ’ headed! Big deal free from that dreaded sand bar at about 6:30 am area ( just north of Key ). Finally spot it though, and he pulled himself onto the swim platform 3.5 knot current feel confident about sand...
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