Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I have not ever had or heard of a problem ...

crossing the Banks at night, even entering or exiting at night. Little or Great Bahamas Bank. I pretty much follow a rhumb line, but not always. I've exited Little at Memory Rock, Little Bah Bank and Matanilla Shoal waypoints. If at night and traversing across the Little Bahamas Bank I suggest the north route from Great Sale to/from Crab Cay, around the northern point of GS, have done numerous times at night. I have exited and entered Hen & Chickens and North Rock (Bimini) at night, no problem. All the way to/from NAS. I have gone from NW Prov Channel (deep water) to NWCH Light (over the Bank), at night. We were going east along the southern boundary of the NW Prov CH, heading for Great Stirrup, the wind changed, we wound up sailing SE along the back side of the Berry's (and well east of Mackie Shoal) into NW Shoal WP and NW Channel Light. Explorer shows plenty of water and we had a fine trip. This is an alternative to going up and around the Berry's. I will say for one reason or another I always seem to have issues approaching NW Channel Light in the dark, which we always seem to be doing. It's just goofy around there. Currents, immediate drop to deep water, shoals, not sure … there's probably a ton of water constantly exiting and entering / funneling here, rip currents … and it's just weird, at night. That light was actually out for a couple years, not sure if it's back working or not, so that was a bit disconcerting, not knowing where the buoy was. And there may be two markers here, can't remember ? If you do travel the Banks at night and decide to pull over for a nap, which can be delightful if there is no wind but would not recommend it with any wind over 10kts, make sure you pull well off the Rhumb Line, a mile or so, and keep your boat well lit. One more thing … if there is wind, and depending on direction, the Banks can get "steep & choppy" because they're shallow and the waves tend to stack up, whereas the deep water of NW Prov Channel may be a smoother ride. But, if you want to get to Lauderdale, you should exit around Bimini. If you can time your overnights with a full moon, all the better. Cheers, John

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