Hi John! We had the perfect crossing, departed Rodriguez Key (near Key Largo) at 2:30 AM, wind piped up to 16-18 from the SE and we literally got to SAIL the entire way - hitting 8.9 knots at times (for a boat that does 5, that's quite the miracle!). We were planning to get onto the banks at Triangle Rocks, but two other boats that left with us talked us in to considering Bimini and since that was the easiest/fastest sail, we cleared at Bimini with no problem.

Stayed at the Blue Water Marina for $1/ft, enjoyed the swimming pool and beach while jerry-rigging a depthsounder when the old one decided to tell us it was over 100 feet consistently when we knew for a fact it was 7'. Left Bimini a day later, entered the bank at Triangle Rocks, took the Gun Cay Explorer waypoint across the banks to within 8 miles of NW Channel light, dropped anchor after motorsailing most of the day - but at least it was calm water for anchoring on the banks. Then on to West Bay New Providence. The plan was from West Bay to Highbourne or Allen's Cay, but we got a sailmail letting us know David's Mom passed away so we had a slight detour - lucky Albany Marina (newer sister marina to Lyford Cay?) had a slip that could accommodate us with 2 hours notice and keep the boat over Easter weekend. It was $3 a foot, except for the holiday weekend, and very nice. The pool, although about a half mile walk was wonderful and they didn't charge us the normal usage fee because they didn't have any golf carts left to rent us.

We got back to Albany and departed first thing the next morning to make it to Highbourne before the big blow started ... anchored outside until the surge got pretty rolly and McGraw Hill notified me that I needed to do some copyediting for the cookbook coming out in September. So we came into the marina for a day of internet and then decided to stay until the 30 knots TROF blew itself out - today was still pretty breezy, sand stinging your legs, etc. But it's supposed to lighten up in the next day or so and then we'll head to the Land & Sea Park - probably Shroud first - skipping Norman until the way back.

If anyone wants more info and some photos on the Albany Marina (99% mega-yachts), I have a page on Commuter Cruiser for the marina ... and also for this one. Now it's time to get back out cruising and away from marinas!

And you? Have you crossed yet? THANKS for the great information!

Cheers -- Jan