Congrats on a great cruise... I must admit being Bay-Bound for several years is
starting to get old...
One great way to cut your transit time south next cruise would be to do a few
overnight sails on the way south.... We usually went from Beufort NC to Charleston coastally
then Charleston to St. Marys river (Jacksonville). Both overnight cruises with daytime landfall
and class A inlets. Cuts about 7-10 days off the ICW route, and leaves ALOT more
time to linger in Florida or the Bahamas. I can provide log details to anyone interested,
but is it fairly straightforward. If weather is not permitting, just stay in port or meander
south a bit on ICW until window opens up.
We also did a straight run from Beufort NC to Abaco one year (4-5 days depending how much
you motor and what kinds of winds - 3 days if going north!) , and also a run from
Beufort to St. Mary's river another year (2 nights), but I took crew for those. On both
these cruises, appropriate respect for the Gulf Stream is indicated.
Regards
Jesse
