A question about crossing back from Bimini

[Joe A]

Everyone knows to start from the south when crossing the gulf stream from Florida toward the Bahamas. This is a quote from Intentional Drifter on another board (cruisers forum) who was going to Bimini at the time: "go at least 10 miles further south than you think is reasonable! We left from Ft Lauderdale and went to Government Cut, Miami before turning east. Not Far Enough! It was a slow slog across. Should have gone at least to Key Biscayne, shoot even Key Largo!"
I see lots of posts with this word of caution theme but I haven't read much information about the return trip. If you are crossing the gulf stream from Bimini back to Florida do you have to travel northeast and then go down the ICW to get back to your initial jump off point? I would apreciate it if anyone who's made this trip would please advise on the best return strategy and best Florida inlets for the return.
Thanks in advance.

[Joe A]

I meant to say northwest...

If you are crossing the gulf stream from Bimini back to Florida do you have to travel northwest and then go down the ICW to get back to your initial jump off point?

[Benny]

From Gun Cay to Miami steer a course of 262 magnetic for about 9 hours at 5 knots. Your rhumb line will be 292 magnetic. Further to the south is Cat Cay or South Riding Rock when returning from the southern Bahamas. Wait for a good weather window.

[Rick I]

Joe A,

Most of the folks crossing this time of the year are from further north. They only go to Miami to get a better angle on the stream. Coming home we shoot for points further north, trying to ride the stream as far as possible. So if we're coming off the Bank at North Rock (just north of Bimini) we go out till we hit the stream and head north for Ft. Pierce, Port Canaveral or St. Marys river. We keep the boat in North FL so try to get as far as possible although sometimes, due to weather we duck into Lake Worth.

[dserrell]

Originally Posted by Joe A

Everyone knows to start from the south when crossing the gulf stream from Florida toward the Bahamas. This is a quote from Intentional Drifter on another board (cruisers forum) who was going to Bimini at the time: "go at least 10 miles further south than you think is reasonable! We left from Ft Lauderdale and went to Government Cut, Miami before turning east. Not Far Enough! It was a slow slog across. Should have gone at least to Key Biscayne, shoot even Key Largo!"
I see lots of posts with this word of caution theme but I haven't read much information about the return trip. If you are crossing the gulf stream from Bimini back to Florida do you have to travel northeast and then go down the ICW to get back to your initial jump off point? I would apreciate it if anyone who's made this trip would please advise on the best return strategy and best Florida inlets for the return.
Thanks in advance.

Joe,

Thank you for your posting! This past June we took our 89' Compac 19/3, a small salboat, out 21 miles off Islamorada where we found the stream running 4.2 mph. When we made the 180 degree turn to head back to the Snake River Inlet at Islamorada, we were unable to sail because of the wind's direction. We dropped both sails and motored for 5 hours to get back in. We probably ran our 5 HP Mercury 2 Cycle LS too fast, because the motor consumed 3 gallons of fuel. When we first started heading back we were only able to go 1.9 mph because of the wind and current.

We are planning a crossing sometime this coming Spring. We will probably have to leave from Key Largo, make the turn, and ride the stream hoping to cross before we miss and head to Bermuda. Coming back is another challenge, but at least we'll arive in Florida, where I'm not sure? Our small sailboat can go at least 5 mph with or without sails. However, we only have 2 - 3 gallon fuel tanks. We may have to carry a couple of polypropylene jerry cans, strapped to the midship stantions. We do plan to cross with several other sailboats. Hope other posters will give us both some real good advice. Fair weather!

David

[Steve Kamp]

Benny's mention of 262 (or so) degrees magnetic heading is close enough when returning westward to maintain a 292 degree rhumb line. We left the White Sand Ridge north of Indian Cay on a heading of 270 m headed for Fort Pierce with winds from SSW at 10 to 15 kts making 6 kts through the water. When in the GS the gps indicated sog of 11 to 13. We made landfall about 12 miles north of Ft P and clawed into the wind and chop for about 3 hours before making the inlet. 16 hours overall from Mangrove Cay to WSR to Ft P. Next time we will point a little more southerly when leaving the bank.

On our Eastward crossing we left Port Everglades headed 100 m and made land fall at West End 12 hours later.

Steve