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I am planning on sailing my Mac 26M from Miami to Bimini on May 25 and back on May 30. Does anyone have any advice or tips on such an adventure?

I don't have any experience like that, but love living vicariously through all you great adventurers, so please let us all know all about your journeys!
There have been lots of discussions about this on here. Sumner has great journals and descriptions of his travels. Good luck and keep us all informed.

Briggs

We did it two summers ago:

here's the full report. The crossing to Bimini is Chapter 3.

http://haihuitobahamas.wordpress.com/

Wish I were there right now...

You might check out Chinook's log also

http://bwyachts.com/chinook/bahamas_2011/

We have not made the trip but have talked to quite a few people in the yard here who have. Are you ok if you can't come back on the 30th. Most people going and coming don't do it on a schedule, but do it when the conditions are right. We have talked to some that have waited 2-3 weeks either going over or coming back (or both) to make sure of the conditions and they are in 30-40 foot boats.

That is also the Holiday weekend. Not sure if that could impact where you stay over there or not. There are great places to go in the Keys that would be easier to do logistics wise and still very rewarding.

Sum

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Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Have a spare outboard - I suggest a Minn kota.

canderson1867 wrote:I am planning on sailing my Mac 26M from Miami to Bimini on May 25 and back on May 30. Does anyone have any advice or tips on such an adventure?

canderson1867 wrote:I am planning on sailing my Mac 26M from Miami to Bimini on May 25 and back on May 30. Does anyone have any advice or tips on such an adventure?

Stay in North Bimini. South Bimini has some really nasty problems with the no-see-ums biting at dusk and dawn and the nets don't seem to stop 'em. North Bimini doesn't have as much mangrove swampy areas so they don't seem to be a big problem there. Trust me South Bimini is fine during the day; call ahead and see if you can visit the Lemon Shark Research Center, there.

Start your crossing after dark (11 or so) and you shouldn't have any big problems with summer storms. Same for the return-- I had a glassy smooth crossing when I left Bimini at 4am and got all the way back to Homestead, FL before any afternoon storms could build up. If you have a dinghy, don't expect to paddle there-- the currents will have you out and lost in no time; use an outboard over 8 HP, if you have one.

You can read about my experiences on a trip with two other boats from the ConchCruisers forum in 2009 at http://svserenity.net . Pay no attention to the blonde; that's my now EX-wife.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!!

You can't make the crossing until you have a open window for the 5 days you plan on leaving and return.
Open window is a fair forecast for 6 days and no Northern front's . Gulf Stream as you know is no place to be in if more than light winds and do plan on motoring accross and have plenty of fuel. Who Knows maybe you can Sail if winds Allow. Launch at Homestead Marina or S.Dade Marine.
Your time frame is excellent for your Date times as the Northerners are almost gone and passage should be good for the 52NM trip.
Just know there is a 3 knot current in the Gulf Stream that heads North and you need to compinsate, why most leave at Homestead Marina or less expensive South Dade Marine.
Even in Calm Winds there is always swells that prevent you to go on plane because of the Gulfstream current.
Dave

canderson1867 wrote:I am planning on sailing my Mac 26M from Miami to Bimini on May 25 and back on May 30. Does anyone have any advice or tips on such an adventure?

I've made this crossing a few times but from farther south on the outbound Leg. Suggest leaving from angelfish key for a better angle. I motored my v-222 with a five Honda. No problems but after that trip I swore id never do it at night again. Too many ships. I think I'll risk afternoon storms. Even on mild days the axis, and also the edges where the current hits shoreside waters, can get pretty jumpy. Only time I ever saw my 22 fullkeeled Glander Cay surf was out here. Everything on your boat should be secured to the point where nothing ever falls even on tough sailing days. 5-10 knot forcasts for 36 hours is what I look for. Its been windy as crp here in the keys, mostly out of the east. Maybe it eill ease by the time your departure date arrives. But if it doesn't, do not attempt the crossing. I have crossed from bimini TO Miami in 10-15 and was fine. I'd have to consider carefully in the M. She does not feel as steady as either of my past small boats while going down wind.
Ix

Keel is there a problem with your webpage or is it just my phone?
I'm always looking for Bahama logs, hopefully it will work on my laptop.

thanks,
Erik

C Striker wrote:Keel is there a problem with your webpage or is it just my phone?

The problem was with me...I left a letter of of the link. it is supposed to be http://www.svserenity.net/ . Sorry about that... Oh, I recommend you start with the Blog Archive tab as it shows everything in the order in which it occurred (and starts with the Bimini trip)

-Keel_Hauled

Keel_Hauled wrote:

C Striker wrote:Keel is there a problem with your webpage or is it just my phone?

The problem was with me...I left a letter of of the link. it is supposed to be http://www.svserenity.net/ . Sorry about that... Oh, I recommend you start with the Blog Archive tab as it shows everything in the order in which it occurred (and starts with the Bimini trip)

-Keel_Hauled

Nice blog. I enjoyed the write-up and the photos.

Roger