I want to go to Bimini 2017

[Bruce]

@Bruce - what site are you using for your marine forecast? I'd love to see how much it will help me locally in the Gulf.

I was looking at weather data from the national weather service, Buoy Weather, Passage Weather, Windfinder and Sailflow.

http://www.sailflow.com is my favorite but I primarily use the mobile app. I certainly found it helpful when boating in the Gulfport / Biloxi area.

Sailflow's forecasts identified the short window of nice water that we used for our Sunday crossing. Fortunately Buoy Weather and Passage Weather's forecasts confirmed that it was likely.

 

[Majorsmackdown]

I totally understand scheduling for the weather and the majority of the group(s), or at least it's leaders.... with that said - I'm hoping to be able to go again, and our kids don't get out of school till possibly June 17. They were out the 14th this year, but the 17th last year. Anyhow, I don't have their schedule for next year yet, but that date plus 4 or 5 days of travel makes it easiest. Don't forget the west coast contingency ! (which I hope will grow by next time)

 

[viggen]

This is something I hope to do someday soon however due to a recent divorce.... My boat plans have been on hold these last few months... I hope to get one later this year. Actually leaning towards Seadoo speedster 150. Is that to small to make the crossing? Being just myself and also owning a jeep wrangler unlimited...mi don't need and can't tow a big boat ... Plus it's the lack of money thing

 

[Bennie]

.... Don't forget the west coast contingency ! (which I hope will grow by next time)

How can you bring this up a time like this?.... I mean I just got done watching Shark Week. West coast = Great Whites - NO THANK YOU!!!
(of course half of the programming was filmed at Bimini soo.... yeah)

 

[Bennie]

Has it been done before on 15' or smaller, yes. Would I do it or recommend it, no.

My uncle who is born and raised here in s. fla. tells me stories of how him and his buddies used to take 14'-15' Boston Whaler Montauk to Bimini with nothing more than a hand held VHF and single 50 outboard.

They were young and dumb teenagers in the 70's but they did it. I've seen pictures of the boat and talked to friends of his that either went with or knew about it.

I like to think of myself as adventurous and not risk adverse but I see those pictures and/or consider taking any 15' boat out there and I know I wouldn't have the balls to do it.

Man I don't think that balls has anything to do with it. You covered it with young and DUMB! been there, done that - can't believe I survived!

 

[Majorsmackdown]

How can you bring this up a time like this?.... I mean I just got done watching Shark Week. West coast = Great Whites - NO THANK YOU!!!
(of course half of the programming was filmed at Bimini soo.... yeah)

West coast jetboaters... Not sharks.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

This is something I hope to do someday soon however due to a recent divorce.... My boat plans have been on hold these last few months... I hope to get one later this year. Actually leaning towards Seadoo speedster 150. Is that to small to make the crossing? Being just myself and also owning a jeep wrangler unlimited...mi don't need and can't tow a big boat ... Plus it's the lack of money thing

@1948Isaac has time in ocean with a 150 I believe. Here's a video on some making the crossing. As long as your willing to take an a$$ beating, I think you'd fine under the right conditions.

 

[Majorsmackdown]

Looked like lots of fun until the missing tooth.

 

[viggen]

Lol.. Yes fun until the missing toofff

I have seen a few videos where people cross in the little sea doo... Or pwc/jetski's, a few parts of that video shows how much easier a pwc cuts through the waves vs the little 15ft sea doo... Hmmmm

Going to have to do a bit of thinking on this...

 

[njmr2fan]

That picture right there is what keeps my dream of a Bimini trip on my 190 alive!

 

[robert843]

Lol.. Yes fun until the missing toofff

I have seen a few videos where people cross in the little sea doo... Or pwc/jetski's, a few parts of that video shows how much easier a pwc cuts through the waves vs the little 15ft sea doo... Hmmmm

Going to have to do a bit of thinking on this...

Is it possible in a 15ft seadoo yes in ideal conditions anything less then that you will likely get multiple waves over the bow so as long as you are prepared for that no big deal then

 

[viggen]

Trying to decide if I need to nix the 150 and get something bigger so I can make that trip... Or nix the trip and get the 150, that's what I meant by some more thinking on this subject

Worried that a larger boat would be to difficult to pull behind the RV due to also pulling a wrangler

 

[Bruce]

Trying to decide if I need to nix the 150 and get something bigger so I can make that trip... Or nix the trip and get the 150, that's what I meant by some more thinking on this subject

Worried that a larger boat would be to difficult to pull behind the RV due to also pulling a wrangler

A 15' Speedster is a bad choice for anyone that wants to go to Bimini. This year it would have had a rough ride to Bimini but would not have been able to make the return crossing. Last year it would not have been able to cross to Bimini.

 

[robert843]

Best I can give is friend thought about bringing his speedster to Bimini last year a few months before the trip I made him try to follow me out the Inlet here locally in SC after taking two waves over the bow before getting out the inlet he turned around and scratched the trip. In best of conditions yes but other then that no. If it's just you and you would like to pull this trip off get a ski a much better idea

 

[viggen]

Thanks everyone for their input... Greatly appreciated!!

Didn't mean to derail this thread at all... Can only imagine how scary it must get out there at times in the ocean

 

[Salty Sealion]

Would love to join this. Have never been across waiting for a group of knowledgable guys to go across with.

 

[Bruce]

Would love to join this. Have never been across waiting for a group of knowledgable guys to go across with.

Have a look at JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016 and Preparing for Bimini. We will start planning a group crossing for 2017 in the spring.

 

[Salty Sealion]

Have a look at JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016 and Preparing for Bimini. We will start planning a group crossing for 2017 in the spring.

Thank you Bruce.

 

[2nazt]

I wish we could decides dates in December as that is when my better half has to have all time off request in by end of December. Guess we will pick a week and see what happens.

 

[Bruce]

I wish we could decides dates in December as that is when my better half has to have all time off request in by end of December. Guess we will pick a week and see what happens.

December water is typically way too rough. You should plan to fly if you want to go in December.