Bahamas

[Glenn]

Has any one taken there 7.6 to the Bahamas?
I would like to try this sometime but first we are going to take on the great lakes.
Glenn

[David]

One question for you Glen, while trying to not be dis-respectful, have you ever sailed offshore in the Atlantic?
My rule of thumb has been nothing smaller than a 35 Ft, 40 is better and so on. We have friends (very experienced sailors incl transatlantic crossings [on a Swan 76], Marbleheads, Fastnets, etc). who ventured south this fall on their 43 ft Ketch (completely overhauled for a 2 year away adventure). They have been stuck in Florida looking for a window to the Bahamas. All season, offshore waves have been in the 15ft range and more in a blow. They eventually flew over to visit some friends who live there 100% of the time. During their 2 weeks jumping about, it was mostly from one safe harbour to the next. Locals report the windiest, coldest winter in 30 years.
Sounds lovely to be in the Bahamas, but I cruise on the South Coast of Nova Scotia and wouldn't consider taking my 7.6 unless it was being airshipped (ha,ha). The 15-20 mile crossing of the Gulf Stream off Florida can produce some pretty awesome (squareheaded and steep) waves that make that portion of the crossing very uncomfortable.

[Mark Williamson]

One of my favorite books having to do, partly, with sailing is "A Speck on the Sea" about (very) small boat ocean crossings.  I think the smallest "sailboat" was 5.5 feet.  

It's a little crazy to get far out in the blue water with a smaller boat but it's not impossible and I admire anyone who does it for their adventurous spirit.

[disher59]

Hi David
No disrespect taken.
Although my experience  on the open sea is zero i think myself and our Kelt would be up to the task.
I have seen a few YouTube adventures of people on some very long sailing trips
on sailboats very similar to our's.
On this site      http://cruisinglealea.com/
A couple sailed from Hawaii  to Alaska then south along the coast then back to Hawaii.
There are many other stories of smaller sailboats making the trip to the Bahamas.
There are groups of 26' Macgregors that make the trip.
Myself i dont think i would take a  26'Mac to the Bahamas.
Having owned a 26'S Macgregor i know first hand that in a good blow there is some twist to
the boats hull.
Unlike the Kelt 7.6 which we know is built much stronger.
It may turn out to be just a dream to sail to the Bahama's.

Here is a quote from Mark Twain
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Cheers
Glenn