JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling July 10th to 15th 2017

[robert843]

A couple months ago my wife and I decided we will not be making the trip to Bimini this year. My wife, Beth, does not like the ride over there in the boat. She said she would rather drive a jetski all the way over there before she rode in a boat again.
So that got me thinking, I have borrowed a jet ski and she has confirmed she will drive it over this year! Woo Hoo !!!
Do I have the greatest wife or what?
We will be registering soon.

Now the question is will @chris24 keep pace with her or run his normal pace and leave her behind out there.

 

[chris24]

We're going to do a couple test runs out in the Gulf of Mexico this spring. We're going to go out a couple days when it's kind of windy and the seas are a little bit Rolling and see how fast she can go, and able to keep up for how long.
It's a real big jet ski, 4 seater, is that going to make it easier or harder for her to ride it through the Atlantic. ???.. any input on that anybody?

 

[Bruce]

I am glad that @Rana and I were not the only ones to laugh about Mrs. Chris24 not wanting to cross at hull cracking speeds again.

On the positive side Chris can go as fast as he wants now. The rest of us will be able to get some great aeriel video as he flys past us riding only on the tips of the waves. If his boat sinks the Mrs will be able to take him the rest of the way on the ski.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

We're going to do a couple test runs out in the Gulf of Mexico this spring. We're going to go out a couple days when it's kind of windy and the seas are a little bit Rolling and see how fast she can go, and able to keep up for how long.
It's a real big jet ski, 4 seater, is that going to make it easier or harder for her to ride it through the Atlantic. ???.. any input on that anybody?

I love it Chris and you have me laughing this afternoon. You got my wife and 3 year old across safely and boy did they sleep good that night! I had the fun of watching you guys jump waves

Bigger ski is definitely better but in normal conditions she'll be closer to 20mph vs 30mph. You'll have to be patient with her as she's going to get slapped around for a few hours.

 

[chris24]

I love it Chris and you have me laughing this afternoon. You got my wife and 3 year old across safely and boy did they sleep good that night! I had the fun of watching you guys jump waves

Bigger ski is definitely better but in normal conditions she'll be closer to 20mph vs 30mph. You'll have to be patient with her as she's going to get slapped around for a few hours.

Last year, our group was going between 23 and 25 miles an hour on average. Do you think she could keep up that pace.?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I still think the best shirt I saw last year was the one @ACrews said he earned. I think you can find these in the ship store at Bimini Sands.

 

[MrMoose]

To be a little serious, @chris24 , does Beth have enough experience for this? I'd hate for her to break her nose or crack some ribs.
Also, to all, in Chris' defense, regarding last year at least, he knew that there was bad weather coming in and the quicker you get across, the less chance of getting caught in it.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Last year, our group was going between 23 and 25 miles an hour on average. Do you think she could keep up that pace.?

On the return last year I was running around 28mph the entire way back if I recall correctly and I think that was somewhat normal conditions from the little I've experienced. @Andy S can confirm or suggest otherwise. I think since it will be her first time you might want to lower the expectations a little. It's hard to replicate the constant banging around and physical fatigue until you're actually out there doing it for several miles. Weather will play a big part in it as well of course, but again I wouldn't set your expectations high. If she can great, but it maybe tough for her to do for that many miles especially her first time out. It was for me at least.

 

[MrMoose]

I still think the best shirt I saw last year was the one @ACrews said he earned. I think you can find these in the ship store at Bimini Sands.

View attachment 50011

Still chuckling to myself...

 

[ACrews]

I still think the best shirt I saw last year was the one @ACrews said he earned. I think you can find these in the ship store at Bimini Sands.

View attachment 50011

That's a good one! Lol.

I know I gave @chris24 my fair share of grief, as well as most in our group. @Kevin Sargent. But I completely understood his concern for the weather as I'm sure @Bruce & @tim h can validate. I know I asked several times that morning because what they were telling me & what my radar was showing was 2 different things.

Looking back, I'm actually glad I followed @chris24, since now I know exactly what my boat & I could handle...not sure that my crew would have agreed tho. Haha

We had a great time & thanks to @chris24 for stepping up to take on the responsibility of leading our group out.

I believe it should almost be a requirement for Chris to lead the group with all the new guys. They'll know within the first 5 miles if they want to continue. Lol.

 

[chris24]

To be a little serious, @chris24 , does Beth have enough experience for this? I'd hate for her to break her nose or crack some ribs.
Also, to all, in Chris' defense, regarding last year at least, he knew that there was bad weather coming in and the quicker you get across, the less chance of getting caught in it.

Beth has 10 years jet ski experience. I think the problem will be can she do the endurance part, of riding for 2 to 4 hours straight through, and to be able to keep up pace with the rest of the boats.

 

[chris24]

That's a good one! Lol.

I know I gave @chris24 my fair share of grief, as well as most in our group. @Glen @Kevin Sargent. But I completely understood his concern for the weather as I'm sure @Bruce & @tim h can validate. I know I asked several times that morning because what they were telling me & what my radar was showing was 2 different things.

Looking back, I'm actually glad I followed @chris24, since now I know exactly what my boat & I could handle...not sure that my crew would have agreed tho. Haha

We had a great time & thanks to @chris24 for stepping up to take on the responsibility of leading our group out.

I believe it should almost be a requirement for Chris to lead the group with all the new guys. They'll know within the first 5 miles if they want to continue. Lol.

If even offered, I would have to decline any kind of group leader this year. As I will be running full support for my wife, trying to cross the Atlantic to the Bahamas on a jet ski. One thing to mark off the bucket list for her!

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Beth has 10 years jet ski experience. I think the problem will be can she do the endurance part, of riding for 2 to 4 hours straight through, and to be able to keep up pace with the rest of the boats.

It maybe just a mental thing with me, but having another ski around helps. One of those, "if he/she can do it then I should be able as well". It will push you a little further then you probably would by yourself. I know you'll want to be with her for the duration but maybe ya'll can hook up with @Valerie and cross with their group. Pace and breaks make a big difference.

 

[Valerie]

I would have to agree with her It is so completely different when you are in control of your own vessel!!
I will definitely cross with her! As a female who has photos of it last trip at my desk, people are completely in awe of my crossing and on a jetski no less
I was petrified the first trip but once you do it, you couldn't imagine doing it any other way!

And as long as she stays inside the wake of your boat, she will have the smoothest crossing

 

[Bruce]

I think skis in pairs are a good idea. I am not sure how many skis will come this year. Last year I had plans to try to have a few skis in each group or have the skis concentrated at the back. Skis are awesome to have around if someone gets in trouble in rough water as they do not get swamped and those that chose to ski to Bimini typically have an excess of cojones.

The small groups worked well last year. Possibly even better than they would have at their original sizes. Currently we have a little over thirty registrants. We also have lots of experienced guys who excelled on last year's trip coming back. Additionally many more registrants have fixed VHF radios and satellite tracking devices. My expectation is that we will break into five or more groups of around six boats each.

 

[ACrews]

Beth has 10 years jet ski experience. I think the problem will be can she do the endurance part, of riding for 2 to 4 hours straight through, and to be able to keep up pace with the rest of the boats.

Chris, if Ms Beth can keep up with you, she'll have time to take a nap at the halfway point waiting on everyone else! Ha

 

[Bruce]

@Ramblin Wreck, @Valerie, am I correct in assuming that it is much more pleasant on a ski to follow a boat with GPS than to try to set your own course with all that water splashing around?

 

[Valerie]

We're going to do a couple test runs out in the Gulf of Mexico this spring. We're going to go out a couple days when it's kind of windy and the seas are a little bit Rolling and see how fast she can go, and able to keep up for how long.
It's a real big jet ski, 4 seater, is that going to make it easier or harder for her to ride it through the Atlantic. ???.. any input on that anybody?

She has an SUV conversion?

 

[Valerie]

@Ramblin Wreck, @Valerie, am I correct in assuming that it is much more pleasant on a ski to follow a boat with GPS than to try to set your own course with all that water splashing around?

@Bruce you ain't kidding, plus you may be able to see some wildlife! It is a beautiful ride
My gps stinks in the sunlight
We had 2 gps fail on our last run over thankfully we all had one
But the trip back we ran with the guys from Riva and it was really the easiest ride with refreshments along the way!!