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Check out our South Florida Boating Guide!
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Small Boat to
Bimini OK, so you don't have the excess funds to charter or buy that huge yacht for a quick run to Bimini for the weekend. Now worries. Here's how to safely take a small powerboat across the Gulf Stream to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas.
How to safely take a small boat across the Gulf Stream to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. Going solo is NOT an option in this size range.
The Gulf Stream and Small Boats If you stroll the docks for any length of time and you’re bound to hear horror stories of the Gulf Stream. Even taking into account the natural tendency to exaggerate, especially once the storyteller is safely back on land and seated at the bar, the underlying truth remains — crossing the Gulf Stream is serious business. Things can, and sometimes do, get quite ugly out there. Of all the variables, weather is the single most important factor in your crossing.
Outrunning a squall
One of the world’s great ocean currents, the Gulf Stream runs roughly south to north as it squeezes between the U.S. and the Bahamas in the Straits of Florida. Whenever the winds are out of the north, northeast or northwest they run head on into the ‘Stream. The result is never pretty. Waves become large, steep and closely spaced — exactly the conditions mariners try to avoid. During strong northerly winds the Gulf Stream becomes impassable regardless of vessel size.
It's All About The Weather The ideal weather forecast for a crossing is calm to moderate winds out of a safe direction, i.e., not from the north, northwest or northeast. For obvious reasons, stable weather patterns are desired as approaching fronts often bring deteriorating conditions. From a calendar perspective, summer generally produces the best conditions for a small boat run to Bimini. An analysis of historical wind patterns off of Miami dramatically illustrates this point. Bottom line, summer is the season for small boats. Our Detailed Page On Offshore Weather
The importance of weather dictates you monitor it religiously. Check local TV, The Weather Channel and NOAA marine forecasts. During your trip keep a vigilant watch on the weather. If things don’t seem right, they probably aren’t. Always err on the conservative side. One last note regarding weather. Winds are typically calmer in the early morning and thunderstorms have not yet had a chance to develop. You may want to plan your crossings accordingly.
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