Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Bushwacker]

Weather is the key.

Amen to that Chuck! Statistically, mid-July has the least amount of wind, and I suspect Caymanboy has figured that out! June is typically wetter with more chance of thunderstorms, and August is getting far enough into hurricane season that you run the risk of having a tropical wave or worse come through. That's just statistics however - still doesn't mean you can't get hammered by wind in July, have flat calm's in August or have no rain at all in June!

As far as routes, I've been to Green Turtle from Palm Beach via West End, via Memory Rock/Walkers Cay, and via Lucaya and the canal that cuts north from there thru Grand Bahama up towards Mangrove Cay. We always came back via West End so we could have full tanks for crossing the stream. Although West End is the shortest route to Green Turtle, I always preferred the route via Walkers, since you get a lift from the Gulf Stream instead of having to compensate for it when you run to West End or Lucaya. The Abaco's are also a lot more interesting to explore than Grand Bahama in my experience. Although I believe you can still clear customs at Walkers, both the hotel and marina were trashed by a hurricane a couple of years ago, so not much in the way of facilities there. May be able to get gas at nearby Grand Cay, but I'd call them to confirm that before leaving!

As far as trip length, it's just as much work to prepare for 1 wk as 2, and almost as much gas, so why not go for 2 wks?! We used to clear customs and refuel at Walkers and then spend a couple of days diving the reefs on the way down to Green Turtle, about 65 nm from Walkers. We'd then stay in cottages for a week or two on Green Turtle, which is an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the Abaco's. Since the SeaCraft 21 "Unohu" and most of the other boats I ran with were all self contained cabin boats, staying on the boat was no problem, and gave us the flexibility needed to allow for bad weather. That schedule flexibility is important! It's been my experience that folks are most likely to get into trouble or have a rough crossing when they feel like they have to make the crossing regardless of weather! The only rough crossing I had was one time that we decided to come back in the late afternoon instead of spending the night at West End. It was flat calm the next morning, as it usually is early in the morning in mid-summer!