russian roulette in the caribbean
barret bondon
October.
It's downwind all the way, and I'll happily have some choices in routes ,
and so, depending on what the hurricanes are doing I can either run south
of Cuba, run just north of it, or work up the east side of the Bahamas
and then cut just north of Nassau and right into Fort Lauderdale.
Any thoughts on routes and issues greatly appreciated (except those
suggesting insanity or worse for doing it during hurricane season. I will
have good weather info and plan on either running away, or, if over run ,
leaving the boat on anchor, getting off and finding a beer and hoping for
the best.)
Wilbur Hubbard
news:4c7fd492$0$31280$607e...@cv.net...
Sail up through the Bahamas on the windward side of the chain of islands.
You can always duck in someplace for shelter if a hurricane threatens. But,
by October the chance of a hurricane is greatly diminished.
Sailing the south side of Cuba would sure be the long way around. North of
Cuba might put you in adverse currents from the Gulf Stream.
Wilbur Hubbard
barret bondon
running up east of the Bahamas.
The only thought that gives me pause is that I may be going too far north
and thus out of the trades. If I run just north of Cuba I have the trades,
for sure, at my back the whole way. As I look at the currents I dont see an
issue as we join the Gulf Stream after running between Cay Sal Bank and
Andros (but I haven't done that run !)
"Wilbur Hubbard" <wilbur...@thefarm.invallid> wrote in message
news:4c7fe025$0$65828$892e...@auth.newsreader.octanews.com...
Wilbur Hubbard
> Yes, that is my read of the options as well, and my plan as it stands is
> running up east of the Bahamas.
>
> The only thought that gives me pause is that I may be going too far north
> and thus out of the trades. If I run just north of Cuba I have the trades,
> for sure, at my back the whole way. As I look at the currents I dont see
> an issue as we join the Gulf Stream after running between Cay Sal Bank
> and Andros (but I haven't done that run !)
>
Not many places to run and hide if you do happen to be threatened by a late
season storm when running between Cay Sal Bank and Andros Island. The
approaches from the west going into Andros might be a bit shallow for your
draft if you need to find shelter. The Cay Sal Bank is quite shallow in
places as well with not much of a hurricane hole anywhere. Also, keep in
mind that the Island of Cuba is mountainous and can create its own diurnal
weather patterns quite far out that sometimes block the trades which can be
weak in the fall anyway. The more reliable winds would be east of the
Bahamas chain.
But, you're right about joining the Gulf Stream just north of the Cay Sal
Bank. The current should be in your favor to Ft. Lauderdale.
Wilbur Hubbard