Anyone been to the Bahamas, the south route with a boat that averages about 4.5 - 5 knots? We're hoping we have a weather window this coming weekend and now are debating - originally we planned to go from Rodriguez Key over the Molasses Reef and on over to either Bimini or Cat Cay. Now we're wondering if we should go to South Riding Rock instead, then up to the Northwest Light, check in somewhere - Nassau or Chub - and then down to the Exumas.

We're also curious about the best time to leave. We'd like to have light to cross Molasses Reef (or wherever we cross) but we'd also like to have light to approach wherever we end up on the Bahamas side before the banks. We were thinking maybe 5-6 PM to leave, cross the Keys side reef before sunset, then sail all night and arrive on the Bahamas side after the sun comes up.

Any advice or help? It seems like everyone we talk to here can cross at 8 knots or something beyond our boat's speed.

THANKS! Jan