{"id":10277,"date":"2019-04-19T15:33:10","date_gmt":"2019-04-19T15:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a2baker.com\/magnoliablog\/?p=10277"},"modified":"2019-04-19T15:33:10","modified_gmt":"2019-04-19T15:33:10","slug":"2019-04-19-heading-home-bahamas-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/a2baker.com\/magnoliablog\/?p=10277","title":{"rendered":"2019-04-19 – Heading Home – Bahamas Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Returning from the Bahamas is always bittersweet but the passage planning usually forces us to ignore the sting of departing. A trip across the gulf stream is not something we take lightly no matter what the forecast is. We are little greedy as well. See we dont just want to cross it….we want to ride it! There is always a little trepidation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The below image show the temperature difference of the surrounding water. The section we want to ride is that deepest darkest red. I am always in awe of the shear amount of energy contained in that flowing water. We are able to track the temperature of the water we are in and we can clearly see a 4 or 5 degree temperature increase as we enter the strongest part of th stream. In addition the stream flows at 3-4 knots so every hour you are in we pick that as extra. When you consider we only travel at about 6 knots that is nearly a 40% increase in our “speed over ground.” That is HUGE. The ride though does not come free. That amount of energy is definitely going to churn the water we are traveling in ALOT! Not to mention all that warm water turns into warm humid air which can turn into a really fierce thunderstorm in short order! When we do these kind of passages we really do need to have our head in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First though we have to get out of the Bahamas. Part of our ritual is to ALWAYS spend the night before in a quiet anchorage where we can have extra time to take a good look over Magnolia and make sure she and we are ready to go. It also gives us the opportunity to enjoy a Bahamas farewell sunset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We awoke about 4am and headed out across the banks. The trip across the banks is about 50 miles of 15 foot deep crystal clear water with a sandy bottom. On a moonlit night you can easily see the bottom passing underneath Magnolia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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55 Mile Crossing of the Banks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We departed the banks in the early afternoon and by sunset had entered the gulf stream proper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note the Speed-Over-Ground (SOG) is indicating over 10 knots! “Please keep your arms and legs inside the vessel at all times. Remain in your seats and keep your seat-belt safely secured…thank you” Though it was a lovely sunset you can see curtains of rain falling on the edges. Just a little warning from mother nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n