Gulf Stream

[Auzzee]

Sailing between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale requires a Gulf Stream crossing. I was plotting a route, accounting for a strong north setting current, and was told by a local that sailing from Great Abaco to Lauderdale was best done by trying to sail along a rhumb line, point to point, and then , when through the Stream, sail as far south as required to reach my intended destination.

This is contrary to my normal pattern of sailing, which requires me to account for set and drift and then, in this case, to aim south of my destination to arrive, hopefully, right at my planned destination.

I am told it is better to cross at 8 knots and then to make corrections after leaving the influence of the Gulf Stream, than to sail the traditional route plan at 2-3 knots and nail the destination between the eyes.

What do my fellow cruisers say?

[redbopeep]

It isn't intuitive to me that one wishes to cross then correct but, yes. It is more energy efficient to do so over a given travel time. Sit down and pretend you're motoring it -- calculate your fuel use and perhaps it will become more clear.

[Landfall43]

This may be a bit too late, but what we did was leave from pumpkin key, south of Miami, instead of fort Lauderdale, spent a day heading south, and made good time with stream helping us instead of holding us back.