Boating to Abacos

[kat]

My wife and I are thinking about towing our 25 foot power boat to West Palm Beach in the Spring and boating over to Abacos. I would appreciate any tips that could be passed along my way, i.e. length of trip, best places to go on first trip, best marinas, etc.

[Jerry S]

http://www.************/TravelinginyourBoat.html

[big fish]

Hello,

I just made the crossing recently in my 25' center console. I would recommend Jupiter as a starting point since it is a very direct route from there. From Jupiter it is very close to 90 degrees to Memory Rock, and the Great Sale Cay, where I overnight. It's probably 90 - 100 miles for that part. After clearing the shoals south of Great Sale, it's again mostly due east to Crab Cay to enter the Sea of Abaco. It's probably about 80 easy miles for the second day. I'm not sure what you are looking for in a place to stay (onboard?), but there are many nice houses to rent in Hope Town. Hope Town is a great place to start, no matter what you want to do. Enjoy.

Bruce

[biggy]

Be very wary of anything but a very good forcast when you cross the Gulfstream.I have made that crossing dozens of times and been caught in some very bad seas,in boats up to 65 feet.Any crossing with wind out of the northern quadrants above 15 knots would not be advised in such a small vessel.Tony

[bellavista]

west palm and its environs are fine places to spend a couple days if weather is iffy. check the NWS gulfstream web page, check with locals and check with anybody who is out there or just crossed but heading out.

[dp]

...when the weather is good. Terrifying if not. I like to cross from Lake Worth Inlet (PB) and head for Sand Cay (North of West End), instead of going up to memory Rock....then follow the Dodge guide, although you can save a little time by going south of Great Sale instead of north.
You can get a good last minute look at the wind by going to the web site for the automatic weather station at west end (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=SPGF1) - its worth doing! If the wind there is over 12 knots, I wouldnt go.
Its a great trip and you can make it without stopping in your boat (unless you want to) - it takes me about 7 hours and I clear customs in GTC. Have fun!