I plan on running from North Eluethera to Norfolk late this week (75’ Motor Yacht). Regardless of route, will likely chug at 10kts for duration. Ruled out the direct route. Instead, contemplating two options. 1) Hopping up the coast with LONG running days and anchoring near shore, or 2) Catching Gulfstream after West End and doing a few overnights. Doing the calculus of these two options, the location and velocity of the stream obviously becomes a very important variable. As I sit here reviewing various data sources and generally giving the neurons a workout, it occurs to me this process must be automated. Can someone recommend an appropriate commercial routing / weather forecasting service applicable to a small Motor Yacht? As always, would appreciate any other considered advice. Brett
Anchoring near shore off the east coast? Yikes. You may as well keep going! Pick the inlets with the shorter runs to anchorages or marinas instead. It all depends on crew, weather and range. From Eleuthera you re better off heading along Grand Bahama and then head north in the stream. You should be able to get to north Florida if the weather and crew holds. PassageWeather had Gulf Stream forecasts https://www.passageweather.com/maps/florida/mappage.htm
There is no way in hell I would anchor near shore on the East coast. I'd take additional crew and do 36-48 hour hops at 10 knots. I did Hillsboro inlet straight to morehead city and it was just over 2 days at 10 knots. I wouldn't do much more than 48 hours underway even with proper crew in your size vessel unless it was flat calm. Another option is to just take the ICW Stuart,FL and North and long days, will use even less fuel, enjoy the sights and either anchor or stay at marinas whenever you feel like it. A friend of mine uses passage weather.
Check out https://fastseas.com/ It's really designed for sailboats but you setup the polar for a power boat and it works very well. Like $60 per year. I think you can do 5 free routes per month. Gives you predicted wind for each period, waypoints and arrival time.
It's a 600 mile run from the Backbone to Beaufort if you follow the outside of the Abacos to Walker's (160 NM) and then head NW towards Cape Canaveral until you pick up the full steam of the stream. Stay in the hottest water as long as you can, and you'll average much better speed. Your surface temperature weather overlay will show you where to plot your course to stay in the stream. In this case it makes sense to go west to go north. https://ocean.weather.gov/newNCOM/NCOM_GulfStream_currents.php
I run the stream from Ft Pierce to Montauk every year. My leg from Inlet to due east of Diamond Shoal is 40-43 hours. If I choose Beaufort to dodge weather it's about the same timing, turning to the outer marker as I pass Frying Pan to leave the current. (40 hours to the latitude of Diamond Shoal if I've properly navigated the stream's wrinkly off Myrtle Beach, as 14 knots is far faster than 10.2, especially over time)
As for weather routing, PredictWind has been a pretty reliable service. I'm relatively new to TimeZone.
I want to thank everyone for their advice / insights. The trip went more or less as planned. The day before departure the starboard engine ingested an ice bag on way to fuel dock. Caught the rise in operating temp at 185 degrees (178 nominal) and shut down engine. Proceeded to fuel dock and return to base single engine. Upon disassembly, impeller was melted. Cleaned crumbs from various heat exchangers and installed new impeller. Crew assembles on boat this evening; 3 competent crew with a crew spouse along for ride. Departed Spanish Wells 0545 following day. Crew members wife is seasick almost immediately. Glassy seas with a long 2’ swell, saw many gamefish opportunities (feeding Yellowfin, floating nav buoy with resident Mahi, etc…). Unfortunately, a decision was made to leave fishing gear on tender that remained in Spanish Wells (WHAT was I thinking….). Arrived West end at 9:45pm anticipating early morning fuel top off. Departed West End 7:30 after topping fuel. Same seas with a 1.5’ wind chop thrown on top. Seas progress to a 2-3’ beam swell with a 2-3 wind wave on the stern quarter by evening. Stabilizer system (Fins and Seakeeper) keeping ride very comfortable, able to cook, eat, etc… without securing implements. Seas remain consistent for first 48 hours. Sick spouse remains in bunk, eating/drinking very little. Weather is now gradually building and forecasted to keep increasing. Anticipated the final 10-15 hrs to be more sporty. Concerned about hydration status of sick crew, decision was made to duck into Beaufort and take a lay day to give her an opportunity to recover. Completed an uneventful rest of trip via ICW.
