Run to the Hub from GB West End, Old Bahama Bay.

islandhopper00

islandhopper00

Active Member
Jan 4, 2007
2,670
Lake Norman (Denver) NC
Boat Info
240 Sundancer
Engines
5.0L 260hp, BIII outdrive
Is it shorter to run south of Great Sale Cay or North of GSC to get to Spanish Cay from West End?

My boat has 70-75 gals of gas, and gets around 2 miles per, if I can run on plane. My family trip this year we decided to run to Marsh and are wanting to run hard the first day to Spanish. I'm thinking it around 90-100 miles.

It's been 10 years since we have run the southern route so wondering if there are ay changes. I have run the slew just south of GSC, instead of clearing well south. I pick thru there and found some shallow spots 4ft, but with the ability to trim up it wasn't a problem.

What say y'all?
 
It's quite a bit shorter to run through the cut south of GSC or waypoint GTSALE if comming through West End and Barracuda Rocks. Charts from out last years trip.
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West End to Spanish is only a couple of miles shorter on the south end than the north end. Typically the weather will determine your direction so have both routes programmed in to chart plotter.
 
Ttmott, the track south that you show closest to GSC, is the track I've run in the past. It just seemed shorter much shorter.
I was wondering if anything had changed thru there. I bought a new Abacos guide for 2014, but nothing beats good old local knowledge.
Running that track, I beat my uncle to Spanish by 30 mins because he insisted on clearing 10 miles South of GSC.

Tritt21 that goes without saying, I always try to have a back up plan when running around the bank in a small boat. I've been pinned down in the lee of an island more than I care to admit by bad weather.

Thanks guys for the advise.
 
Recommend Garmin BlueChart for most accurate route, tracking, and XTE. There are two ways through the shoals and sand flats on the south end; South Cut and Girl Jane Cut. If you don't have a plotter with up to date charts recommend BlueCharts on the Ipad. Like Tritt21 says, always keep options for weather.
 
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Hmmmm, when I went thru last time I had a Garmin chartplotter. This boat has a Lowrance chartplotter, the chart chip is updated though. Thanks for the heads up. I'll check the Lowrance maps for the two cuts you mention.

Maybe my cousin has a Garmin, I'll have to call him and see.
 
Actually there is a six mile difference from Mangrove Cay to Crab Cay between around the top of GSC and through the south cut. I've been both ways: not that it makes a hill of beans but the OP wanted the fastest route.
 
Better still, 3 gallons of gas, and 20 mins time saved!

Quickest ,shortest route is what we are looking for. I like that if the weather is questionable, we can tuck into GSC anchorage and hide if necessary also.
I have run the southern route, but wondered if the sand bores might have shifted thru there. Seems like one of the hurricanes has ripped thru there lately.

If we have to clear well south to the "GT Sale" waypoint, then there is not much difference going either way. But the track that takes us close to GSC gets skinny, and therefore questionable.

Thanks for the discussion, good talking points.
 
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