Sailing to Bahamas on Compac 23

[fried fish]

Warm thoughts!
My wife and I are getting ready to head to BVI for a kayak camping excursion. My wife and I cannot wait for 85 degree weather and snorkelling in 80 degree water.

Meanwhile we are planning a trip for winter 2012. We are considering trailering our Compac 23 to Miami area and sailing for the Bahamas for an extended cruising adventure. Of course fair weather would play into the 80 mile leg to arrive there. Anyone in this group ever done that or know of someone that has on a similar boat?

Perhaps cruising to Cuba will be open by next year.

Dreaming in advance!

Capt. Fred

[brackish]

Warm thoughts!
My wife and I are getting ready to head to BVI for a kayak camping excursion. My wife and I cannot wait for 85 degree weather and snorkelling in 80 degree water.

Meanwhile we are planning a trip for winter 2012. We are considering trailering our Compac 23 to Miami area and sailing for the Bahamas for an extended cruising adventure. Of course fair weather would play into the 80 mile leg to arrive there. Anyone in this group ever done that or know of someone that has on a similar boat?

Perhaps cruising to Cuba will be open by next year.

Dreaming in advance!

Capt. Fred

http://sailingturalura.blogspot.com/

[capt_nemo]

Having crossed over to the Bahamas in a 35' sailboat and 36' trawler for cruises of several months, I have one piece of advice that stands out above all others. DON'T BE IN A HURRY! Folks who try to adhere to a strict limited time travel schedule, despite weather conditions, often regret those decisions that place them and their vessels in harm's way. As for the crossing, going or returning, be patient and carefully pick your weather window, especially in a relatively small (23') vessel. Any northerly component in the winds can wreak havoc on the seas in the north flowing Gulf Stream Current. Also, carefully pick your stateside departure point and Bahamas entry point to use to your advantage, rather than fight, the Gulf Stream Current, especially in a slow moving sailboat. We have many fond memories of our cruises throughout the Bahamas. HAVE FUN!

[newt]

I have made that trip. Let Miami and went across to Alice town. We were  in a 50 footer with a 20 knot north wind. We got pushed around pretty good in the gulf stream, so yeah I would agree that it is your biggest challenge. If you start from Miami or the keys you have a good change of making it across even if you are going the same speed as the current .

[breeze]

Fred, I have a similar plan.
I have a 23 also
How long of a trip were you thinking of, and what part of the Bahamas were you looking at going to?
I have cruised most of the Bahamas North of New Providence, and would like to get to the south of New Providence.
My email is dkoch2@cfl.rr.com

David

[capt_nemo]

Dave and Fred,
Our first trip to the Bahamas in a sailboat took us from behind Rodriguez Key in the Keys across the Gulf Stream to enter at Cat Cay. Then across the Bahama Bank to just short of the Northwest Providence Channel since it was too far to get to Nassau in one day. Anchoring overnight on the Bank in crystal clear 10-12 foot water with water 360 degrees around for as far as the eye could see was a unique experience indeed. There were several sailboats anchored near us, well off the "Beaten Track" of any overnite traffic on the well established course routes. Next day was on to Nassau, New Providence Island, for a few days before continuing on down across the Yellow Bank to the Exumas. The Exumas were an absolute delight with far less boat traffic,  quaint out island settlements, and secluded anchorages if desired for total privacy. We went about 2/3 down the Exumas then out into and across Exuma Sound, over to the southern tip of Eluthera, up the west side of Eluthera, and out through Harbour Island up to the southern Abacos, Atlantic entrance. After an Abacos cruising adventure we exited the Bahamas by picking our way out through the reef between Grand and Walkers Cay, and sailing 50 hours non-stop to the nice all weather inlet at Fernandina Beach Florida. Headed north to Maryland we avoided all the Florida boat traffic and bridges in the Intracoastal Waterway.

[Billy]

Fred and David,
are you still considering this?

I have a 19, and it needs some work but I am SLOWLY considering a trip similar to this. If there were 2 other Com-Pac-ers going I could see this becoming more of a reality.

please keep me updated to your plans.

Billy

[bob lamb]

   I'd be very interested in sailing to the Bahamas.  I'll keep up with this thread and see what develops. 

BobL