but my favorite route is down the coast of FL just offshore maybe a quarter of mile to half mile off the beach to catch a bit of eddy current. We will leave Vero Beach around noon and sail overnight down the coast. Then hopefully get to about Miami just before dawn, hook a left and cross the Stream. We like to go to Hens & Chickens, Great Issac and enter the Bank there, Keep going overnight again towards NWChannel Light. If the Bank is calm and there is a full moon, which both could happen this weekend, and little wind, pull off the rhumb line and anchor on the Bank to get some sleep, or even a swim or dinner in 10-15 feet of water. That can be magical. But you need less than 10 knots to comfortably anchor on the Bank. And if the wind comes up, no biggie, haul the anchor and go. We generally keep going, sail overnight again and arrive at Lyford Cay early the next morning. Clear in there, call ahead on the VHF. Usually quick & easy, takes an hour or so, then we're on our way again, we'll go around West Bay at New Providence, and hopefully get to Shroud before dark, but if not and if the wind is NE to east, coming into Shroud at night is no biggie, drop the hook 1/4 mile offshore and you're done. Shroud in SE 15 or more is uncomfortable, unless you tuck in, which you shouldn't do at night.

We'll average 5-6 knots. Going through NWChannel Light at night can be a bit confusing, and remember you will encounter a different sea there as you have been going over the Bank and all of a sudden it's deep water, but it's all lit and fine.

We have cleared in at Bimini several times and Chubb once (which I won't do again, it's out of the way and I didn't think they were friendly), but I like Lyford the best. You can get fuel & water there. It's upscale, but have not ever had a problem. Every time we have done it, we arrived right at 8AM or so, and probably the first ones to clear in, they call the officials over from the airport, which is just down the road.

Hopefully we are right behind you, maybe next week.

Have fun, cheers, John