Preparing to Cross

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Written May 4, 2023 – Posted May 5

When we last chatted Julia had joined us and we explored Savannah. We then headed south visiting Jekyll Island; biking, exploring how the uber rich of the turn of the last century lived and seeing how turtles of today survive difficult environments

There was a bike trail completely around the island, plus interior trails. We rode about 14 miles on our bikes and one marina loaner.
Jekyll Island was owned and a playground for the rich and famous. Think Rockefellers and the likes. It was basically by invitation only to have a house there. This is the club house. Geeze!
There was a turtle rescue and science museum. Lots of good information and sadly, too many turtles. This guy had been hit by a propeller and had hypothermia (amazingly common when they get hurt.)

We then began moving a bit faster down the Florida coast, trying to go offshore (the waters were confused) but opting for the inside at Jacksonville. We stopped in St Augustine so take in the old history. It was there but sadly, St Augustine has become extremely touristy. I’m so glad Santa Fe has not taken quite the same approach.

Flagler College used to be a fancy hotel with lots of Tiffany windows. I imagine it would be an amazing place to go to school. One of the non-touristy places.
Julia and Jim at El Castillo de San Marcos. A rather amazing fortification that was held by the Spanish, British and Americans, but was never taken by force, only treaty. Interestingly, Indigenous people were held here during the Trail of Tears.
The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche (Milk). reminds me very much of a little church in New Mexico. Another non-touristy spot.

We had hoped to see the launch of the Falcon Heavy from Titusville which is just across from Cape Canaveral. Florida decided to have Summer thunderstorms, tornado’s and winds and thus we were not able to see the launch up close and personal, but were happy to also miss the bulk of the thunderstorms, tornado’s and winds as well. My Mom called that clean living.

We very much thought we’d get caught in the bad weather. But, it was in front or behind us.
Just after the rain ahead, you come through the Hal Over Canal. One of the entrances to Cape Canaveral (which is a big wild life preserve). A gorgeous spot where we saw manatees and lots of bird life.
Our anchorage at Canaveral. This is looking the other way from the launch facilities as the clouds and storms are passing
But, 3 nights later we DID see the Space X launch from Ft. Pierce. The weather had finally cleared. Very cool!

In Vero Beach we were luck to stay at the personal dock of Bill and Tricia whom we’d met in Beaufort, SC. Beautiful setting, wonderful hospitality and a nice visit with Tricia (Bill was still bringing their boat home.)

Our private dock at Bill and Tricia’s in Vero Beach. One could not ask for better accomodations!

We also were able to get together with our friends Greg and Lara whom we’d not seen in over a year. They were just back from the Bahamas and headed north.

Sadly, Julia left us in Vero, headed back to New Mexico. Our schedule is so fickle, Julia was ready to be heading home, but had really wanted to cross to the Bahamas with us. There will be a next time.

We headed down to Ft Pierce which is just a hop, skip and a jump south and got serious about finishing our projects (getting the alternator squared away, installing new engine room lights, buying lots more little project materials, …), picking a weather window, getting the kittens vet certificates and our tourist visa and stocking up on food. How much does one really need? Yes, there is food in the Bahamas, but at about twice the price as in the US and a more limited selection.

We also got our fishing rig set up and tuned up our snorkeling customs and equipment.

Our had lines, lures, pliers, gloves and knives. A sneak peak, we did not fish across the Gulf Stream as it was mostly dark when we crossed. But, our entry permit to the Bahamas includes a fishing permit so, we’ll still give it a try.

And we, got to see our buddy Don Gillings and finally meet his wife Jan in Ft Pierce. Don and Jan have completed the Big U, the track from Alaska through the Panama Canal and up to Maine. This is something we’d like to do… we’ll see if we get through it all.

Now, about that weather window… One has to cross the Gulf Stream. It is nothing to toy with. The Gulf Stream is about 60 miles wide between Lake Worth where we are leaving from and the western tip of the Bahamas where we are entering the Bahamas. The Gulf Stream will have a current on our starboard beam of 2 – 4 knots, that’s over 5 MPH, for that whole 60 miles. It really wants to take you north, and thus you have to set crazy courses or crab through the whole thing. Crabbing is our plan.

Doesn’t that look daunting. We crossed from basically Palm Beach to the little tip of land. When we first entered the stream, we got WAY off course, but slowly our autopilot got us back on track. We were really crabby A LOT and still not keeping our direction. But, another sneak peak, we bot here when we were supposed to!

And then there is the wind. The rule is that if there is ANY wind with a northern component, don’t go. Wind against current is always harder and can kick up very uncomfortable waves. We have enlisted a weather service who gives us daily forecasts and also a window and plan for crossing.

A piece of our personal forecast strategy:

Sylvia: In order to get across the stream under the mildest conditions I would strongly suggest that you leave LakeWorth late Tonight or PreDawn Fri5 then make it into Wend no later than Noon Fri5. Assuming you move at around 8k this would mean a departure around 4-6AM. 

Overall, the wind directions at departure are NE-E between 4AM and Noon but only 12k or less which will create seas up to 3'. After about Noon all models agree that winds increase closer to 10-16k and seas respond by building to 3-5'.

…

Strategy for crossing 
ENTER roughly 1 mile E of LakeWorth Inlet near 26-46N/80W heading roughly due E across the stream. 
Current between 80W and 79-32W is 2-4k 
Currents between 79-32W and 79-20W is 1-2k 
EXIT near 26-45N/79-20W then continue ESE the rest of the way to Wend.

We are repositioning from Ft Pierce to Lake Worth today and will leave around 4:00 am tomorrow to celebrate Cinco de Mayo crossing to the Bahamas, planning to be there no later than noon.

Wish us luck in our crossing!

Not quite our positioning for the crossing, just a bit north and east of here. We took a rental car 2 hours south from Ft. Pierce to Ft. Lauderdale a couple days earlier to pick up one of our alternators that was getting repaired. One needs lunch. The restaurant was good. Lots of cuts for more boat space down here in south Florida. And the big building? Hurricane proof boat storage for boats up to over 40 feet. 5 minutes to automatically bring your boat down to you. Just bring your money.

Comments

Preparing to Cross — 2 Comments

  1. Sounds like you need to be on your toes when crossing the Gulf Stream. I know you two are up to any challenge.