Travel Time

[OL_Nate]

??? Can anyone tell me the exact travel time from Key west to Havana, cruising at an average of 12-13 knots? And what is the worst part of the trip? Thanks

[jackd]

Yo Ol_Nate,

The exact conversion is 1 knot = 1.151 mph so at 12 knots (13.81 mph)to travel approx 90 miles would take approv 6.5 hrs

see link: http://pao.cnmoc.navy.mil/Educate/Neptune/lesson/math/nautical.htm

Sorry can't help with worst part

[cubafish]

First you should know that the 90 miles between Key Weird and Cuba's northern coast is NM. It's 108 statute.

jackd's time to travel reply may be correct, but don't forget that the formula is under ideal conditions, conditions you will not have on this trip. I go in a planing hull outboard boat and cruise at +/-28/30 kts and it takes me +/-4 hours to get from KW to Marina Hemingway in light seas, much longer in heavy seas as I slow down depending on wind & sea conditions.

The worse part of the trip will occur if you encounter a strong E or NE wind - the Gulfstream is +/- 35 miles wide between KW and Cuba's northern coastline and while it meanders from north to south, its center is generally half way across in that area. My worst crossing happened in November of '99 when we had a fairly smooth crossing to Cuba, but returned with 25kt's of wind out of the NE bringing 6-8 ft seas outside of the GS and 8-10's for the +/-35 miles while in the stream - it was not a fun crossing. Otherwise, normal precautions will enable you to have a good crossing. Be mindful of large objects floating in the Gulfstream - I have narrowly missed floating shipping containers that have fallen off of freighters and now floating just inches above water level, large trees floating up in the Yucatan Current from Central or South America into the Gulfstream, etc.

Be sure you read Nigel Calders book "Cuba: A Cruising Guide" as it is the only authorative boating book on Cuba (there are other cruising books on Cuba, but Calders is the current "Chapman's" on Cuba and answers 99% of all questions), available at Bluewater Books in Ft. Liquordale www.bluewater-info.com, 800-942-2583; West Marine stores, and I'm sure at other nautical places.

[jackd]

Cubafish, that is one excellent description of the worst part

[mellisas]

it sounds terrible to me.
just imagen if your boat sunk,
and there you were waiting for those big jaws to bite of your legs.
what a nightmare. :o :o

[jackd]

Mellisas, btw Good Morning, no great whites, just a bunch of little ones one bite*:o :o :o

[cubafish]

I'd rather lose my two big legs than the third . . . . . ;)

[jackd]

Good point, if you see them comming, turn your back to them

[OL_Nate]

THANKS THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL. I ORDERED THE BOOK> I HAVE TIME. BUT TAHT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. I RECEIVED A MESSAGE AND IT SAID THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL IS THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT GAVE NO DETAILS. THAT IS WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR. I HAVE A 42' REGAL THAT I AM GOING TO TRAVEL IN.