Crossing the Gulf Stream

[tholepin]

I'm curious to learn how many sailors have sailed their CP-16's to the Bahamas.  Once there, how was the cruising, especially with a go-anywhere craft like ours!

Thank you for your response.     tholepin

[Bob23]

Thole:
   I've never crossed the Stream. Here is a great writing by our own HenryC:
http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=4241.msg29558#msg29558
   I generally am very cautious and respectful of the sea. The Gulf Stream would get extra attention from me.
Bob23

[tholepin]

Greetings & Amen to showing great respect! 

So far I've made three round trips in a  Corsair 24 and  twice I had solid water in the cockpit.   In the half-year I cruised the Bahamas, my 3' draft  kept me from some incredibly beautiful ell-ruts.   

I met some boats coming in from the Stream that astonished all who witnessed.  I think the com-pac will go if the weather smiles just a bit, but being prudent, I'd like other opinions.

Should water slop in that big shallow cockpit, it generally slops right back out - I'm tied in, so let it go.  However, while in the islands, I never saw a CP16.  Salty old wooden boats with hulls looking like Henry Pollock paintings and strange potted plants lashed on the after deck were everywhere.  A few Flickas graced Marsh Harbor every now and then, but for the most part, 24' was considered quite small. 

I thank you for sharing your expertise and hope I can throw my two cents in whenever can at another time.

Thanks again,    Tholepin

[capt_nemo]

Tholepin,

Having made several uneventful crossings, in a 35' Sailboat and 36' Trawler, weather is EVERYTHING! The time of the year chosen for the crossing is an important factor also, with longer, more benign weather patterns and crossing windows in Spring and Summer than in Fall and Winter.

The rule of thumb for crossings is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER venture out in the Gulf Stream with a Northerly Component in the wind. It is guaranteed to ruin your day if you do, wreaking havoc by blowing against the strong Gulf Current and churning up the waves. A SE, S, or SW wind are most favorable. Don't take foolish chances trying to keep to a strict schedule, allow sufficient time to wait for favorable weather.

Getting across the Gulf Stream as quickly as possible is the goal, especially in a smaller boat, to limit your exposure to potential quick weather changes. Therefore, anything less than hull speed in a Compac 16 under sail should, in my opinion, be boosted by using the outboard. Just enough to achieve hull speed. Carry some extra fuel if you must.

Getting across the Stream in a Compac 16 is indeed quite possible, given the right weather conditions, a well prepared boat, and a skilled experienced Skipper!

capt_nemo

[HenryC]

I've been across the Stream several times, in powerboats, including a guided missile frigate, but never under sail.

I don't know if I would make the trip in a CP16,  it's just too small to be safe;  but for its size, I can't think of a better boat to try it in.  If you insist on doing something that crazy, just make sure you have a radio, plenty of water, flares, and you can make her watertight. She will float as long as she doesn't spring a leak. I have no idea as to your level of experience, so please don't be offended if my advice sounds like I'm assuming you are a complete lubber.  Its better to tell you more than you need than not enough.

The story linked to below notwithstanding, you will not know you are in a current.  But you will know you are crossing in or out of  the stream.  The water may change color, the wave action will change, and the scatter of sargassum weed may change. You will also notice a rise in water temperature, particularly in winter, so take a thermometer.

Although you won't feel you are being swept along by a current, you will be.  The Stream is moving about the same speed as your boat,  so it will be necessary to "lead" your target destination considerably, by perhaps as much as 45 degrees or more, so check your forecast and make sure you have favorable winds.  With a headwind, or becalmed, you may get swept a hundred miles north of your planned course.  Also a wind against the current could set up a nasty chop.Precise navigation is critical, make sure your GPS is properly functioning and you are thoroughly familiar with its operation, and make sure you have a backup handheld.  If you are aimed at a small target, such as Bimini, be especially careful, and time your trip so you'll have plenty of daylight to find it when you get there.  Unless you're aiming at the whole Bahama Bank, navigation is really critical. I definitely recommend a GPS during the crossing.  Once you are there, piloting will get you around just fine.

If you miss it you won't want to go off into the Bermuda Triangle! Try to stay within the lee of the islands when you get there in case there is a heavy Atlantic swell. As I write this, I see other, much more experienced sailors are adding to the advice, but I will leave my comments here anyway as is.  I might learn something myself if some of you comment on them critically.

Hank
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[Allure2sail]

In a 16 foot ComPac or any other boat that size range is tempting faith and just plane pushing the envelope to far. These boats are day sailors or maybe a coast line cruiser at best. Crossing the Gulf stream with one was never their intended use. My two cents worth.......nothing more, nothing less.

[tholepin]

The more I hear, the better Florida Bay with its untold islands, untold mosquitoes and fascinating history sounds.  I've seen too many acres of white foam as the big SW swells collapse due to very moderate west to north west breezes against the current.  It would take a small boat designed like Bris and a skipper to match to survive. 

Too chancy, almost foolhardy - I agree.  Thank you all for your knowledge and time.

Chuck

[crazycarl]

In the fall of 2009 I spent 4 months retrofitting a 19 foot boat for such an adventure.  Early in 2010 I took 7 weeks off of work and trailered her down to Key Largo for the launch.  Every day for 2 weeks I listened to NOAA and talked with other cruisers on the morning VHF radio net about weather conditions and the crossing.  Unfortunately, 2010 was not the the year to attempt such a crossing.  Many of the large yachts had decided it was just too rough.  I did have a most enjoyable time sailing around the Keys though.

                                                                    Carl

Here is a link worth checking into....http://www.microcruising.com/lc1.htm

[mandolinut]

If you figure the gulfstream can flow north at 4 knots , and you figure your c16 may be sailing east at 4 knots, you must figure on sailing out of miami due east to reach west end which is 60 miles north of miami. Too many novice sailors leave florida at the closest point to their destination (west palm beach to west end) in the bahamas without factoring in the northern drift. That is fine with a high speed power boat but not in a small sailboat. By the way, ithe gulfstream has been crossed with hobie cats.
Fair winds to you.

[tholepin]

Crossing "on" a Cat is my idea of suicide.  Whatever the weather!  I crossed from Fl. where I had a tall tower or big-city lights as a back bearing.  Also, talk to whoever else is outside with you and share conditions.  Smallest sailboat I've crossed in was a CD25.  Quite comfortable in a moderate SW trade.

You may not believe the boats I've seen do the crossing.  I've decided against taking my CP16 across.  Thank you for your input.  Wish you a kind winter and early boating season.   

tholepin

[newt]

Tholepin you have brought up an interesting question. A guy on another forum just asked if a Catalina 22 could make the crossing, and they arrived at the same answer: it depends on the sailor. If I was being paid (delivery skipper) this is how I would do it. I would start before dawn on a  day with a good SW er. I would start south of Miami with intended landfall Bimini. (Alicetown) The boat would have been made watertight, with a big tiein for my harness and safety strap. I would have a functional jackline, a drifter sail (in addition to the rest of them) and enough gas to motor most of the way. I would also have at least 2 different autopilots (I prefer sheet to tiller and electric for motoring)Good lifejacket that stays on.
My naviagation would be spotless. I would keep a hourly log, and have a go/no go point already on the charts. I would also have checking by VHF or phone with someone with good navigation common sense. This person should care about you enough to tell you if things are not going well and for you to come back.
Finally, you should have done this enough that you will turn back if conditions are not ideal. Live to sail another  day.
I would say the Alantic has been crossed by a 14 foot boat. But I believe it was the sailor, not the boat, that made the difference. I have made this crossing, but I do not consider myself an expert on the Gulf stream.

[tholepin]

Sir, you've hit the nail on the head.  Recalling Shackleton's crossing from Elephant Island across the Drake Passage to South Georgia in an open 22 footer, Caird, I echo your comment: it's not the boat, it's the men in 'em.

Knowledge, prep, and common sense; can't beat it.  (any pols reading this)?   :~p

p.s. "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing tells the story of Shackleton's ordeal beautifully.

tholepin

[Joseph]

I crossed it twice (return trip) in an Endeavour 42 centre cockpit from Stewart to Port Lucaya in Grand Bahama. I was a sailing student at the time and was doing the crossing as part of a course with an experienced captain, but he let me do the navigation and even do the driving the entire night! There were three other sailors-to-be on the boat but after the first half-hour of reaching the edge of the stream they became green, took Dramamine and went below for the entire crossing. I had taken other precautions and convinced the captain to let me take the helm. He was more than glad, but he said that he would rig a preventer. I resisted but he insisted. The wind was from N-NW (i.e., against the current) and our course would be somewhat SE and we would be sailing almost on a run and, although it would be great practice, we should rig a preventer. He said that, were I to endure the entire night at the helm (he said that with a smile but in this I proved him wrong...), before the sun was above the horizon I would have experienced 12 attempted accidental gybes. I thought he was crazy, so I got the wheel and he went to snooze down below. The wind was abt 15 kts and the waves chasing us I could spot them at the height of my shoulder. We did not reef. It was a fun sail surfing those waved but now and then a wave and the wind would conspire against me and bring the stern across the wind, the rig would shake and the Captain down below would count aloud: "One!", "Two!" The last one was right at the moment when the sun was coming above the horizon and land was coming on sight. At that precise moment he emerged from down below and stepping triumphantly on the cockpit announced victorious: "And Twelve!!". He said he had done the crossing more than 300 times... The return trip was also overnight but there was no wind and the sea was as flat as a mirror... we could have walked on it! The problem was traffic... Whew! we had some interesting encounters that night...

J.