As we described in our first post about crossing the Gulf Stream, it averages 2.5-3 kt current from the South. When the wind blows from the NE, you do not cross – wind against current creates unfavorable conditions.
Well, our eight hour window collapsed on us. And we will be crossing the Gulf Stream with 15-20 kt wind out of the NE. NOAA says seas 2-3 ft, 4 seconds. The following week looks worse, so it’s cross now, or wait a week.
By 7am the wind was already strong – so much for it settling overnight. We had to wait until 8am to checkout with customs. Well, that’s what we thought. We could have handed the front desk of the Big Bimini Game Club Resort our cards earlier.
From our epiphany yesterday crossing the Great Bahama Bank, we averaged 15.8 – 17.2 kts. Wind over current, and 3-6 ft seas from a slightly different direction than wind, made for what we call a washing machine effect. We tried to find the trough to surf parallel, but finding a consistent trough was tough.
So, we cavitated a lot. Which in basic terms means our props came out of the water a lot. The good news: our naiad stabilizers made a ride tolerable that would have been intolerable in our former boat. The only thing that fell over, or open? Our trash compactor door. Neither of us knew it had a latch.
The United States Customs and Border Patrol has an app for checking in, ROAM. Who knew? It is fairly new, still in beta stage, and only available in certain areas. We believe we were able to use it because we are Trusted Travellers. We downloaded the app, followed the prompts, waited for our application to be checked, and then waited for a video conference call or our application to be confirmed. We were confirmed in about five minutes. All while cruising the Intercoastal back to Marina Mile Yachting Center. How cool is that?! We hope it will be coming to the PNW waters soon.