How to Sail to the Bahamas

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Sailing to the Bahamas is an excellent way to escape the harsh winters of the North East. What is the easiest and safest way to get to the Bahamas? In this video, we will discuss various routes and the weather you want to look for to get your boat to paradise!
0:00 Intro
0:23 When to sail to the Bahamas
0:45 Leaving from Florida
1:24 Air Pressure and Weather
1:59 Wind Direction
2:23 Wind Speed
2:50 Examples of Good or Bad Weather to Cross the Gulf Stream
4:03 How Do You Cross the Gulf Stream
5:55 Leaving from Anywhere on the East Coast of the United States
6:45 Pilot Charts and How to Use Them
7:58 Why Not Flank the Coast?
9:00 Where to Go in the Bahamas?
9:20 How to Enter the Bahamas
10:10 Where Would You Like to Go?
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[@steveh8958]

I don't even have a boat, just a dreamer, but I follow multiple sailing channels and you all are the only one that gets into actual sailing skills and navigation. It's very interesting, thank you.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thank you very much, that is a high compliment 😁

[@jayty4833]

Wow just in time! I’m leaving NJ on Monday to go down the ICW to Fla. Was going to hang around the Keys for a couple of weeks and then sail over to The Bahamas. Sorry missed the boat show, would have been great to meet in person..

[@RiggingDoctor]

Oh have a great sail!!

[@melinda5777]

You know I'm going to say the following. I LOVE THESE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS!!❤️❤️ I love the Candy Corn sails for this video as well!! Yum Yum 🙏❤️🇺🇸⛵️👣😍

[@dahveed284]

This is GREAT information. Thanks! Do all of the Caribbean please. My boat is in FL, but being a new boat owner this sort of information is wonderful.

[@RiggingDoctor]

👍

[@barrywarren4221]

Great info on how to sail to the Bahamas, not sure if I would do it in my 25' footer. But you never know what a old sailor might do in his spare time.

[@braithmiller]

Don’t know what it is. Smaller going round the world. I follow one at 26’ no problems from the Eastern seaboard to Pacific islands cruising.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Do you paddle it?

[@EB-xz1nq]

Taking my Montgomery 17 across next December. You do know HobieCats and windsurfers have made many trips across over the years?

[@RiggingDoctor]

When the weather is right, it’s just 50 miles of flat water.

[@DowneastThunderCreations]

Wish I could get underway for the Bahamas right now. "Wintah" has begun here in Downeast Maine and my sailboat (STILL under construction) is now under wraps for the long cold season. 👍👍👍

[@RiggingDoctor]

In Maine, winter only lessens while the rest of the states have summer 🤣

[@GreenTeaDigital]

This kind of passage and route planning is very interesting and new material for me as a freshwater day sailor. Like to get down to the Bahamas one day, and now I'm liking the Bermuda option. Thanks!

[@kevinjarrett5178]

I was hoping to meet you guys at the sailboat show but never saw you. Hate that I missed you. I have enjoyed watching the videos.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Oh that’s a shame! Sorry we missed you

[@sailingwithrobertandcoco]

This is excellent. Thank you so much for these great tips. My dog Coco and I are planning on going to the Bahamas in just a few weeks. We’re leaving Galveston Texas and sailing across the Gulf of Mexico to Florida and then we will make our way around to the spot that Maddie talked about and across the gulf stream. Very helpful. Thank you so much you guys are my go-to Sailing vloggers.❤❤

[@Spoondrifters]

We’re also coming from Texas! Wondering about the option to use a south easterly wind to advantage by leaving from a more southern spot in Florida as we come from the keys?

[@gregvaughn4286]

thanks so much for answering the majority of my questions in a simple video Fair Winds

[@braithmiller]

Yes more. If your not already up to a series of navigation. Plenty West coast worry of going far off coast were it is safer and wind, current a different direction.

[@davidbickert1013]

Excellent video, very helpful. I plan on making that trip from New England on my Gozzard 37. Would love to know about the trip back to New England as well ... a future video?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Great topic!

[@mohamedayad7453]

Thanks!

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thank you very much! This is very appreciated 😌

[@SailingPauHana]

Very timely. We are on the ICW now and will be crossing in the next 8 weeks. Thanks for the info.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Go on a south wind and you will have a great crossing!

[@johngray812]

Easy and simple...Liked it.... Thanks

[@lavagnolli]

wonderful video! Thank you!!!!

[@RiggingDoctor]

You’re welcome!

[@brookswatson5798]

Love this content! Exactly what I need.

[@lloydbrown9327]

Thanks for the info!I am l am living on the east coast of Canada. I wanted to sail along the eastern seaboard, but you are saying it's better to sail to Bermuda than along the coast. I can understand that, plus I don't have to go against the Gulf Stream. I watched the sailing brother's ,sail that route! Four days from NS, Canada! Thanks again, love your videos!

[@RiggingDoctor]

And as an added bonus, you get to see Bermuda! ☺️

[@Motociclista760]

Great info! Thanks

[@AndrewMoizer]

One of my sailing highlights was crossing from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas in 1982 with friends on their just completed Wharram cat. One thing I was expecting you to mention was timing during the day. We sailed across overnight, leaving Florida about midnight, so that we had daylight to sail once we got to the Bahamas. The phosphorescence crossing the Gulf Stream was amazing too. I've been hoping to get back ever since, but haven't made it yet.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Those boats are incredible! Timing really depends on your comfort level. If you will go a steady 5 knots, it will take about 10 hours and you could leave at dawn to arrive before dusk. If you are comfortable navigating the Florida inlets in the dark, you can leave at night and arrive in the morning, like you guys did. Last time we did it, we left at 10pm and started off with a great sail, then had no wind and ended up anchoring on the Bahamas bank in the dark. We dropped the hook in 30 feet of water to avoid accidentally finding a reef in the night. In the morning we raised anchor and sailed to West End to check in. It was the longest short passage we ever made because the wind died 😂

[@AndrewMoizer]

@@RiggingDoctor We sailed all through the day to Great Sale Cay, and then checked in the next day at Green Turtle (or maybe it was Treasure Cay). It was quite a ride through the inlet as there was a swell left (we had to wait 4-5 days IIRC for the weather, if I'd arrived a day earlier we could have left pronto and I would have had more time in the Bahamas). 10-15' swells, and a Coast Guard boat zipping back and forth with no lights shining a spotlight on boats! But once clear we had a great sail. Downwind. We were with two other 40' mono's that motor sailed, we shut off the motor and it was magic. This was all pre-GPS time, but I guess the don't sail at night still applies.

[@RiggingDoctor]

I totally understand the “waiting for weather”. Traveling under sail with the motor off is magical!

[@OMIF1]

Wonderful info.

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

Great video. Appreciate you guys sharing what you know.

[@svthebayviewcafe7675]

GREAT INFO

[@RH-lz3om]

Noice! Thanks!

[@stevenm6592]

Great content. Similar information I had to learn as a private pilot. Alot of similarities to factor in.

[@RiggingDoctor]

👍

[@rainfinger]

Great video, requesting you do a tutorial for crossing the Atlantic to the Azores.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Definitely!

[@sailorstu]

Sounds like a good trip. For me I would have to sail South from British Columbia Canada, then through the Panama Canal then I could start my trip. Not going to happen this year but something just added to my bucket list.

[@RiggingDoctor]

That would be quite the trip!

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

Herby and Maddie, I just subscribed, after watching y'all's ",How to sail the Bahamas" video. Great content. I may send some suggestions your way, from time to time, on subjects that I think will be valuable to cover. Thank you for sharing. Cheers! Blue Skies, Fair Winds, and Following Seas. Faithfully, James

[@RiggingDoctor]

Welcome to the Adventure, James!

[@WillN2Go1]

This is great. Really enjoyed it. I'd enjoy seeing more videos like this, like crossing the north Pacific - which I know will be theoretical. What I've found is that all sailors seem to know a few things about major routes, and that's it -- most haven't done them (completely okay). The passage from Southern California to Hawaii, everybody knows (Two weeks straight shot, the return trip takes 3 weeks to a month and is to San Francisco then down the coast. But that's the entire body of knowledge. Everybody nods. Then a shared second hand anecdote. TransPac racing boats get to Hawaii quick, port rail in the water the whole way, then they motor the entire route home - are wet and leaky in both directions. What about sailing from Southern California to Alaska? Would you take the Inside Passage, would it all be motoring? How about the Aleutians and then Japan? (btw Let me know if you're interested in chartering a sailboat in Japan. I can be off camera and sleep on the deck. One amazing thing is that on a day in July the weather bureau reports on all the places that are currently flooding; then mentions that the monsoon ends tomorrow. And it does.) And how about the general question of how to plan for a new unfamiliar cruising ground? What about the UK and Ireland? (I was going to go to the Aran Islands a few years ago (on the ferry) it looked like a washing machine, not only was the route closed, half the parking lot had breaking waves. (I bought my sweaters online.) When this happens and you're in a sail boat, where might you be? What was interesting was I was in a tent about 100m from the maelstrom, behind a low stone wall, and it just a bit windy. (None of this is I need to know, just possible topics for videos.)

[@braithmiller]

I am on the West Coast, much of the motoring caused from fear of going far from shore or delivery only crew doing fastest or shorter route without fuel or abuse considerations. Delivery and owners seem to ovoid sails out on ‘returns’ rather funny reasons. Ultimately just have your sailboat shipped back.

[@WillN2Go1]

@@braithmiller My boat is almost 20 years old (Hunter 456) The first owner sailed it from California to the South Pacific, New Zealand and then had it shipped to Ensenada from Fiji. I bought a cruising guide for the Pacific. It's amazing how much, but how little, information there is in it. We know sailing ships, that didn't point into the wind very well, went all over the planet. Just running the engine seems a no brainer. I used to sail in Marina del Rey channel, but in 28 to 32' boats. I'm in Oxnard, bigger boat, but I'll get back there - it's just better all around. The first strike against sails is when I tacked to get back to the harbor. It's not 90 degrees, it was at least 110 degrees. I was going backwards. (This is in no book or web site I've ever seen.) That definitely makes you want to just turn on the engine.

[@braithmiller]

@@WillN2Go1 I have had a swimmer beat me in a narrow bay channel not having the workable wind angle and speed to low. Sometimes tacking can cost quite a bit to direction of travel. The question is always what your purpose is. Motoring is no real challenge unless leaping waves in a dingy. I do a lot of sailing that is on the edge of doable. Small complicated bays, wind effected by land features, makes it interesting.

[@braithmiller]

@@WillN2Go1 Jimmy Cornells guide and some others are more about sailing routes less the destinations.

[@WillN2Go1]

@@braithmiller That's super cool. I took 4 sailing lessons before the instructor fired up the outboard. We'd always back out of the slip Catalina 22' using the wind, changed the sail and went down the side channel. On lesson two someone coming down the main channel was not in control. Instructor said, Go right across, so now were in another tight line of boats. Turn hard to port. All the way. Perfect U-turn. When we got back to the main channel the guy was past us. It's worth knowing how to do this. (Not saying I can - yet)

[@Nashoba432]

I just want to say, cool shirts. Twin kitty cars and if i'm not wrong the light thing is a way to remember that when I ship is heading towards you the red light is on the right side. Am I right? or maybe its on kitty cats hmm.

[@geezenslaw]

Hey hey Maddie and Herbie, JIT vid... planning on sailing to the Keys in Jan. '23... eventually would like to leave the Keys for the Bahamas and points lower lats... What would be a good route from the Bahamas for a so-called 'Island bump' further South say not much further than Columbia or the ABCs...? Enjoyed the vid and from a previous S/V Wisdom vid I plan on getting PW and the Iridium GO gadget... And I have Starlink onboard so should have plenty of chart/nav to goby... (maybe even SSB email weather)... Fair Winds...

[@RiggingDoctor]

I will be doing a video to explain why, but if you want to go to islands that are windward and far, it’s easier to sail to Bermuda and back instead of beating the whole way.

[@goneswimming5636]

Great video. Would you make this trip in Whistle Puff?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Windpuff? Haha yes in a heartbeat

[@goneswimming5636]

@@RiggingDoctor Hahaha - I got the "puff" part right. Wisdom is an amazing boat that can do anything. I can't wait to see what the smaller "puff" is going to take on.

[@luchovelit5711]

👍

[@charlespayne1061]

I much enjoyed you-all's video on this subject!! Even if Charlie wasn't in it. I've been looking at a lot types of sailboats and do you think your Albert 30 is a good match for the Caribbean? Draft is a bit much.

[@RiggingDoctor]

I think an Alberg 30 is a wonderful Caribbean boat! Draft isn’t a big deal there. It’s pretty deep everywhere

[@charlespayne1061]

@@RiggingDoctor well the A30 is a awesome boat. I'm Old and sat in my ways! We'll just leave it at that;)

[@JustFlyIt09]

Great video thanks! Destination of interest - easiest sail from Atlantic to Lake Michigan. Saint Lawrence Seaway or do the New York canals work?

[@RiggingDoctor]

That’s a great point for discussion

[@lloydbrown9327]

I sailed from Whitby, Ontario to the east coast, it was a great trip! Sailing the St Lawrence River, was the best part of the trip! The north side of Quebec is really cold water and more chilly. But I made it to Newfoundland!

[@JustFlyIt09]

@@lloydbrown9327 It sounds like an amazing trip.

[@lutacrew]

November is still hurricane season and most insurances won’t cover you.

[@BitcoinNewsTodayLive]

Tips on a trip to England???

[@RiggingDoctor]

From where?

[@BitcoinNewsTodayLive]

@@RiggingDoctor Baltimore :-) Northern route, straight dash or Southern route and relation to season/hurricanes…

[@RiggingDoctor]

Sounds like a good topic!

[@captainandthelady]

How about a program on checking in.

[@RiggingDoctor]

It would be a short video haha. Just go to the customs office and give them your passports, money, and boat info.

[@thomasthornton5737]

😃👍👍👍❤❤

[@johncroucher1903]

You talked about the 3 systems that are important: - Air Pressure - Wind Speed - Wind Direction Can you elborate on how you factor Air Pressure when you're planning a trip?

[@SailingPauHana]

They did mention that the pressure is what causes the wind and weather patterns, but didn't elaborate on what pressures were good or bad. I would look for any sign of barometric pressure drops or forecasted drops and avoid those times. 29.92 is standard.

[@johncroucher1903]

@@SailingPauHana Great response. Thank you!

[@RiggingDoctor]

I look for stable air pressure. If it’s changing all the time, then the weather will also change on you. If it’s staying the same, then the wind speed and direction will also remain constant.

[@markisLem]

How about Maine to Nova Scotia?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Oh I like that! We’re planning on making that trip in the next few years

[@jeffdege4786]

Nothing about how to get home again? I'm assuming stopping by Bermuda on the way back is a bad idea. Do you always just cross to Florida, and then head up the coast as necessary?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Going to Bermuda is totally viable, but it depends on the season. There are times to go that direction and times not to. We went from the Bahamas to Bermuda in July of 2018. Pilot charts tell you the wind directions during each month. Generally, to return, one would wait for the same wind conditions and beam reach back across to Florida.

[@herpslol]

DAE hear "friggin doctor"? 😅

[@RiggingDoctor]

🤣

[@USA4thewin]

i need to learn more and sail less if i want to start long passages

[@redsailor101]

How do I get paper chart’s?

[@RiggingDoctor]

I go to Maryland Nautical in Baltimore, MD. They also ship all over so that would be a good option as most places stopped selling charts.

[@joelw2023]

I love how Maddie is a "ch" concher and Herb is a "ck" concher and they don't correct each other or stumble on the differing pronunciations for even a second.

[@RiggingDoctor]

We have heard all the pronunciations 😁

[@berlynhale3780]

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[@svtrilogywestsail3278]

what if i want you to take me to the bahamas?

[@RiggingDoctor]

😅

[@svtrilogywestsail3278]

@@RiggingDoctor just kidding i just got back this year and may go again next year. lol

[@hellkell8693]

Regarding the sea state, is the wind against the current the same as no current but stronger wind? Another words say you have a 5 knot Gulf stream from the south and a 5 knot wind from the north (10 knot difference) the same as no current but a 10 knot wind?

[@EB-xz1nq]

No it’s not a airplane! A wind against the current will not cancel the movement of trillions of pounds of water moving in one direction. Wind against a current builds short very steep dangerous waves. You want to leave SFla when wind is clocking around from SE-S.

[@RiggingDoctor]

The joke among sailors is “add 20 knots”.

[@Hindukushsailing]

👍👍

[@FatDaddyG]

My wife and I want to get to Bocas Del Toro, Panama from Fort Lauderdale. What route do you recommend and what time of year would be best to go?

[@RiggingDoctor]

I will get working on that video right now

[@RiggingDoctor]

Just an update, it’s in production 🤩🎥🎬

[@crkavetz]

Thanks!

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thank you!