is to exit at FP Inlet early afternoon, we go about 1/4 to 1/2 mile off the coast to catch what there may be of a counter-current, sometimes we see 1/2 to 1 knot, all the way to Miami overnight. It's usually a nice ride with the coast lit up at night from all the condos. Full Moons make these trips pretty cool. You have to watch for the dive buoys as you get around Lauderdale. Just before the sun rises and hopefully we've made it to or near Miami, we'll hook a left and cross, sometimes we'll check in at Bimini, that schedule gets us there just after lunch, and then we keep going over the Bank another night. That's a nice plan, but the wind and weather seldom makes it possible. Sometimes we'll go north of Bimini and through the NW Providence Channel. Then down through NWCH Light, by the west end of New Providence and into Shroud after dark. You will notice when the wind is east or a bit SE, it generally will wind from the south and follow the FLA Coast, which makes for sailing down the coast not entirely fun. But sometimes we get lucky and it's east & light enough to point. I also like going on the tail end of a not-so-strong Cold Front. It is interesting, with the wind in the NW, the Stream isn't all that bad as it's going NE down around Miami, and 90 degrees to the wind, and therefore not a lot of wind against current and waves stacking up. But I don't like it in the Stream with anything N-NE and 10k or over.

I usually don't like to cross any more north of Fort Worth, and even at that you're then committed to West End because of the current. We had a nice crossing one time, leaving from FW area and sailing to West End, checked in there, then kept going down along the coast, and over on top of the Berry's and into NAS, but this took longer. There can be quite a bit of overnight traffic in the NW Prov Channel, it is a major shipping channel. AIS comes in handy.

On your way back, beware the Stream Current is much closer to shore from Forth Worth, Stuart and FP than Chris will tell you it is. We've seen current as close in as a couple miles, that's usually late spring, early summer. We often wind up fooled a bit and overshooting the Inlet. One more thing … I've found the Stream to be +/- 5kts more wind and 2'/3' more wave height than Chris will tell you it is.

I've learned musical instruments aren't necessary at Bahamian Churches on Sundays. Those women's voices & chants are incredible. My most memorable experience was this tiny little Catholic church in New Bight on Cat Island for Easter several years ago, amazing.

Have a nice rest of your trip !

Cheers, John