Jon Eisberg said:

> Dave discusses the straight shot from Hatteras to the Bahamas, I've never actually done that... Not sure I'd be all that inclined to do so in January,
> unless the weather was looking very favorable... One of the reasons being, I question to a certain extent the point of getting into the Bahamas too early
> in the winter anyway... My last few trips south, the weather was cold and windy down there until mid-February or so, and when I eventually got over
> there, most everyone was telling me I hadn't missed much...

Again, the weather doesn't sneak up on you and the pattern of cold fronts from the upper Midwest that drive the weather off Hatteras is usually pretty consistent. It isn't hard to get the day-and-a-half or two you need to get across the Gulf Stream.

With respect to the weather in the Bahamas a lot depends on the individual. We'd rather sleep with a blanket and NOT sweat through the afternoon. We love the Exumas and the Raggeds but find the Abacos generally more comfortable.

Remember I'm an offshore guy anyway, so it's only 24 hours (or less) from Marsh Harbour to Elizabeth Harbour. Then we can dawdle through the Exumas, Raggeds, and Jumentos before circling back to the Abacos and jumping back to Norfolk.

My intent is to lay out a viable alternative, not to argue over good, better, or best. The right answer depends on the person asking the question.

Oh - another personal issue - the distance from Beaufort to the Bahamas is about the same as from Norfolk, the angles aren't as promising, and frankly we spend more money in Beaufort than in Little Creek. *grin*

sail fast and eat well, dave
S/V Auspicious