GULFSTREAM Crossing from the Bahamas to St. Augustine in 45hrs [E342]
August 3, 2025 · 26 min · 969 views · Bahamas Bank
What this video covers
A 45-hour passage from the Bahamas to St. Augustine, Florida, becomes a race against a failing engine water pump.3:26 The crew of a cruising sailboat manages a 240-mile crossing while dealing with light, inconsistent winds and a leaking pump that sheds ball bearings into the engine tray.14:34 To preserve the engine for the final inlet approach, the crew alternates between sailing in light air and motoring, while monitoring the pump’s integrity.10:28 The vessel encounters a range of conditions, from calm, windless stretches to 15–20 knot gusts that provide brief periods of 9-knot speeds.14:15 Navigational challenges include avoiding an unmanned, drifting vessel near the St. Augustine approach and timing the arrival to avoid entering the inlet after dark.21:14 The crew relies on Navionics and Aqua Maps to track their position and hazards.21:32 Despite the mechanical stress and light-wind lulls, the vessel successfully reaches the St. Augustine Inlet.25:55 A failing water pump requires careful management of engine RPM and usage to ensure the vessel can reach a port for repairs.14:34
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