Grand Cay Run Questions...

BCSAILS

Pretty much been to most of the Bahamas over the last 30 years but never to Walkers/Grand. Got an invite to spend a long weekend on Grand late this month early October with our 31' boat as transport, with room and board provide once we get there. Anyway, was thinking of trailering up to West Palm or Jupiter to drop in and save some gas and running time over Lauderdale etc.. Any ideas for ramps, marinas best suited for this, maybe 3-4 nights? Many thanks for any heads up....E.

Tripleclean

I wonder if the gulf stream pushing you north would negate the extra fuel burn from Lauderdale? But that might just help on the way over.

Gary M

I agree with T/clean.

If "I" were you, I'd shove off from the regular dock in Lauderdale, clear Customs in West End, top off with reasonably priced fuel there and then make the 45 nm mile run across the bank to Grand.....

lhouck23

I would have to disagree guys. This is not a sailboat. A power boat is not influenced as much by the gulf stream. At 20 miles wide and average delta flow of 8 mph, if your boat is running 30 you be 5 miles off is uncorrected. Grand is near dead due east from Stuart inlet and you could park at Sandsprint park. I made the trip twice this year and it is 110 miles shot. On a 200 gallon tank I can get there spend 2 nights and back without refueling. I would just run straight there as West end takes you out of the way if leaving from stuart. From Jupiter I don't know where to park. I think Burt Renyolds park tickets but not sure. The real pain is trailer a 31 foot boat and the inevitable flat tire, bad bearing etc to contendend with. If trailer is in good shape leaving out of Stuart would dave some time and fuel for sure.

C Skip R

It is a much easier run to leave from Stuart straight to Grand. You can be there in 4 hrs. If you go by way of West End you are costing yourself fuel and time.

edk

He's leaving from Lauderdale so would have to trailer ~ 90 miles to launch at Stuart. It's only ~30 nm more to leave from Lauderdale by boat and clear at West End. I wouldn't bother trailering that far north to save maybe an hour on the crossing.

Ed

Tripleclean

I enjoy sea time and the only time I wish any craft had more speed is when I'm running out of time and need to control a situation, weather,tide,medical,legal?

I would just motor slower outbound and catch the tailwind. I hate driving btw Lauderdale and stuart.

lhouck23

I agree the extra hour by boat is better than trouble of trailering for 45 minutes and the $75 gas savings.

Idlewilde

lhouck23 wrote: »

I agree the extra hour by boat is better than trouble of trailering for 45 minutes and the $75 gas savings.

X2. Been Lauderdale to Walkers/Grand many times. Kinda dumb to try and save $75 x 2 in boat fuel, plus 20 miles x 2 in travel distance when you consider the time and fuel it takes to trailer up somewhere and then launch, as the run from Lauderdale is a piece of cake.

Gary M

Plus................. I'm sure that the OP has the trailer/truck parking in Lauderdale set up in an easy situation. To trailer to Stuart, then he'd have to set up trailer parking, etc, worry about theft, maybe pay for parking/launching, etc.....

I once trailered to Vero from Orlando for an Abaco trip. Man, all I'm gonna tell ya is that the trailering trip home (in rain) to Orlando after a long day's run from Walker's was NOT fun.

Also, don't discount the fuel fill up at OBB where the gas was .65 a gallon cheaper than on Grand......

At least he has not only choices but also a lot of suggestions!