Gulf Stream

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Revision as of 10:11, 10 February 2008 (view source) Lighthouse (Talk | contribs) (New page: ==Gulf Stream (off Florida, USA)== ===Passage=== West to East - "Gulf Stream" crossing. (''Also see'' East to West) ===Departure Points=== Possible departures from: * *...) ← Older edit		Revision as of 20:44, 1 March 2008 (view source) Lighthouse (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
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	===Arrival Port/s===		===Arrival Port/s===
	Possible arrival ports at end of the passage:		Possible arrival ports at end of the passage:
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-	===Route (and/or possible stops)===
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	===Weather Windows===		===Weather Windows===
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	===Radio Nets===		===Radio Nets===
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	===The Passage===		===The Passage===
-	Full description of the passage?	+	The passage from Florida to the Bahamas is about 50 miles - crossing the Gulf Stream at it's narrowest.
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		+	The weather is the most important consideration for crossing the Gulf Stream. It is the exception to make this passage on a flat sea so waiting for a reasonable weather window is vitally important to make a safe, comfortable crossing.
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		+	The Gulf Stream runs roughly North/South between the Bahamas and South Florida so, the sea can kick up  dangerously high and steep if a wind of over 30 knots blows from the North - against the current.
		+
		+	Ideally, if crossing from Fort Lauderdale directly east, the wind should be under 15 knots and from the South. Leave very early in the morning, sail as fast as you can (even motor-sail) to ensure that you complete the crossing and arrive well within daylight hours.
		+
		+	Be '''very''' aware of your drift in the current (which can run up to 3 knots) and adequately compensate your heading. It is VITAL to constantly update your position on a chart and know exactly where you are during this crossing.
		+
		+	The summer months are when the sea is the calmest and visibility is the best. A forecast of light to variable winds in the summer will make for a great crossing.
		+
		+	A good ''rule of thumb'' is not to make this passage if the wind has a Northerly component.
	===References===		===References===

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Revision as of 20:44, 1 March 2008

Contents 1 Gulf Stream (off Florida, USA) 1.1 Passage 1.2 Departure Points 1.3 Arrival Port/s 1.4 Charts 1.5 Climate & Weather Information 1.6 Weather Windows 1.7 Radio Nets 1.8 The Passage 1.9 References 1.10 CruiserLog Forum discussions 1.11 External Links 1.12 Personal Notes

Gulf Stream (off Florida, USA)

Passage

West to East - "Gulf Stream" crossing.

(Also see East to West)

Departure Points

Possible departures from:

Arrival Port/s

Possible arrival ports at end of the passage:

Charts

List the charts required for this passage.

Climate & Weather Information

Expected climatic & weather conditions?

Sources of weather information for the passage:

Weather Windows

(Best time/s for this passage)

Radio Nets

List radio Nets covering this passage.

The Passage

The passage from Florida to the Bahamas is about 50 miles - crossing the Gulf Stream at it's narrowest.

The weather is the most important consideration for crossing the Gulf Stream. It is the exception to make this passage on a flat sea so waiting for a reasonable weather window is vitally important to make a safe, comfortable crossing.

The Gulf Stream runs roughly North/South between the Bahamas and South Florida so, the sea can kick up dangerously high and steep if a wind of over 30 knots blows from the North - against the current.

Ideally, if crossing from Fort Lauderdale directly east, the wind should be under 15 knots and from the South. Leave very early in the morning, sail as fast as you can (even motor-sail) to ensure that you complete the crossing and arrive well within daylight hours.

Be very aware of your drift in the current (which can run up to 3 knots) and adequately compensate your heading. It is VITAL to constantly update your position on a chart and know exactly where you are during this crossing.

The summer months are when the sea is the calmest and visibility is the best. A forecast of light to variable winds in the summer will make for a great crossing.

A good rule of thumb is not to make this passage if the wind has a Northerly component.

References

Books, guides, etc.

CruiserLog Forum discussions

Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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