Miami to Bimini

[bcol37]

I am looking to sail on a 34 foot sailboat from Miami in late December into the Bahamas. Is it realistic to try for the Bimini Islands (1st stop) or is that unfeasible with the north current. Should I just head to the Freeport area first instead or can I make Bimini from Miami. Thanks for your input. --Britt

[doug and jane]

The decision to go to either Bimini or elsewhere first depends on your other planned destinations in the Bahamas. Neither Bimini nor Freeport are normally considered cruising areas unless you''re really on a time constraint.
So if you want to go to the Abacos, I would suggest you ride the stream north and clear in at West End, Grand Bahama (not Freeport). However, if you intend to skip the Abacos and go to Nassau and the Exumas (another popular route) then by all means go to Bimini first.

[Raindance]

We crossed from Miami with two other boats. We all had good offshore boats (Passport 42, Crealock 37, and a Niagra 31). We were aiming for Gun Cay, but because of rough weather, the slower Niagra 31 couldn''t keep up and went to Bimini instead. At the time (1994), our six foot draft would have been too a little dicey for Bimini, but was no problem for the smaller Niagra. If you draw much over 5 feet, I would head to Gun Cay instead of Bimini.

[briantimmins]

About 20 years ago I made the trip from Coconut Grove to Cat Key with no problems in a Tartan 27 Yawl. If you know how to navigate in a cross current, it''s no problem. I suggest not being a purist about it and plan on motoring in fairly calm weather. Do it overnite so you can spot the radio towers from a greater distance. After Cat Key, I went north to Bimini out to the Exumas and up to the Abacos. About 9 months out there. Great trip.