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

[Rob9550]

The wife and I wanted to go last year we just didn't have the time to prep and get ready. Looks like we will be see you all in Bimini.

 

[Rob9550]

Rob9550 has registered to captain Motor Boatin with a crew of 2 adults and 2 children. They hail from the home port of Lake Murray / Lake Wateree SC.

The crew is described as: Robert, Verena, daughter Samantha 15, and son Riley 10.

You can register for the event using the form at https://jetboaters.net/forms/bimini-2017-registration.6/respond

 

[blacksapphirez]

I don't expect to be out of sight of any boat by my self... so handheld VHF for me

 

[1948Isaac]

1948Isaac has registered to captain Big blue with a crew of 2 adults and 2 children. They hail from the home port of Coronado yacht club cape coral fl.

The crew is described as:

You can register for the event using the form at https://jetboaters.net/forms/bimini-2017-registration.6/respond

 

[Speedling]

Call to State Farm:
Hello, how can I help you?
Me: This is Lee; can you ask Joe if I can take my boat to the Bahamas and be covered?
(hollering in the background repeating my question....)
Yes you sure can! He didn't even have to think about it. However, he asked when he should pack his bags!
Me: He's gonna need to help me get a bigger boat...

 

[Valerie]

Sorry, I'm gonnna be stuck so far up someone's wake they won't even see me in the rear view Whether we wind up in Cuba or Bimini, I'm following blindly
Now once we get there, I have all the coordinates for the cool spots,..... but that's a whole nother thread........

 

[blacksapphirez]

Sorry, I'm gonnna be stuck so far up someone's wake they won't even see me in the rear view Whether we wind up in Cuba or Bimini, I'm following blindly
Now once we get there, I have all the coordinates for the cool spots,..... but that's a whole nother thread........

spit out the coordinates so we can put them in the chart plotter

 

[Bruce]

spit out the coordinates so we can put them in the chart plotter

I sent you my list. Let's keep the coordinates somewhat private as some of the lists floating around are used by those making a living in Bimini.

 

[Rob9550]

Already packing sample size toiletries and laundry detergent..... you have to strategically pack a jetski for a weeks trip to another country lol
And if I haven't already said it...
Can't wait can't wait can't wait!!!

I have no issues taking a bit of your gear if needed. There will only be 4 people on our boat so space shouldn't be an issue. Maybe we can trade for a bit of time on the ski...

 

[Speedling]

I have no issues taking a bit of your gear if needed. There will only be 4 people on our boat so space shouldn't be an issue. Maybe we can trade for a bit of time on the ski...

Same here! I will be in condo 7 as well and i bet my two older kids would love a ride on the ski.

 

[Betik]

@Rob9550 , @Speedling please get on the line!!! I am carrying her stuff in need be and all I need in return is to pick me up when I go overboard while trying to clean the ports.

 

[Valerie]

You guys are killing me! Who's gonna clean out my intake for me??
Just kidding, I'll be happy to help you all out!!
I'm thinking I may take someone up on carrying a crock pot and a ham for me so I can contribute more for the potluck and daily meals

 

[Betik]

You guys are killing me! Who's gonna clean out my intake for me??
Just kidding, I'll be happy to help you all out!!
I'm thinking I may take someone up on carrying a crock pot and a ham for me so I can contribute more for the potluck and daily meals

Me off course, I will be in the water anyway. It just makes sense.

 

[MazzyDan]

Hi everyone. It's been awhile since I've been on here and being a new member at that. The Bimini Fling has been top of my bucket list and would love to join your group in going. Still having to convince the wife. My 2 kids and sons girlfriend is all for it. I'm wearing the wife down, but slowly. But in any case if I don't make it this year I will be going for sure on the 2018 fling. My only concern is I'll be travelling from Ontario Canada. I live only an hour from Detroit border. I notice there isn't any Canadians in the group. Is it much harder for us to travel down to Florida then cruise across to Bimini. Most of research I did shows it shouldn't be a problem. My question is has there been Canadians gone in the past and how was the experience. Just wondered about different paperwork and such. I've never done this before so just trying to get all the facts.

Cheers
Dan

 

[robert843]

Hi everyone. It's been awhile since I've been on here and being a new member at that. The Bimini Fling has been top of my bucket list and would love to join your group in going. Still having to convince the wife. My 2 kids and sons girlfriend is all for it. I'm wearing the wife down, but slowly. But in any case if I don't make it this year I will be going for sure on the 2018 fling. My only concern is I'll be travelling from Ontario Canada. I live only an hour from Detroit border. I notice there isn't any Canadians in the group. Is it much harder for us to travel down to Florida then cruise across to Bimini. Most of research I did shows it shouldn't be a problem. My question is has there been Canadians gone in the past and how was the experience. Just wondered about different paperwork and such. I've never done this before so just trying to get all the facts.

Cheers
Dan

That is a great question Dan! @MrMoose may know the answer to that I do believe you would be the first to tow from Canada for this trip. I almost think the trickier part maybe customs in the US as the island customs guys are so relaxed I just don't think they would care but I'm sure someone will chime in on the actual rules on that.

 

[MrMoose]

That is a great question Dan! @MrMoose may know the answer to that I do believe you would be the first to tow from Canada for this trip. I almost think the trickier part maybe customs in the US as the island customs guys are so relaxed I just don't think they would care but I'm sure someone will chime in on the actual rules on that.

Sorry, don't know the answer.

 

[Bruce]

Is it much harder for us to travel down to Florida then cruise across to Bimini. Most of research I did shows it shouldn't be a problem. My question is has there been Canadians gone in the past and how was the experience. Just wondered about different paperwork and such. I've never done this before so just trying to get all the facts.

Have you ever brought your boat to the US? I know people cross the Great Lakes frequently so it must not be a big deal. You would have to deal with US immigrations then again in Bimini but being almost British you should get good treatment in Bimini.

 

[robert843]

@MazzyDan I don't think this is an issue and actually looks like you can probably participate in the local boaters option even so US customs on return may not even be an issue.

"All U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country are eligible to participate. Both masters and passengers will be allowed to participate; the master will be required to provide vessel information. The applicant's documentation will be reviewed and verified to establish immigration status and identity."

 

[MrMoose]

@MazzyDan, if I were in your shoes, the first thing that I'd look into is to find out what kind of paperwork is required to tow your Canadian-registered boat into the US so that you don't incur import duties/taxes etc. If it's possible to tow into the US and launch in Ft. Lauderdale, I assume that the I-68 system would have to be used to land in Ft. Lauderdale upon your return.
If you investigate this further, please share your findings and perhaps they can be added to the Bimini prep info.
BTW, I grew up an hour from Detroit, in Ontario.

 

[GMAN2015]

For the 2015 Bimini trip, I used a 6W handheld. For 2016, I added a headset, and a removable 4 foot antenna to my wake tower, and connected it to my handheld. I can't really comment on whether it made a real difference or not. One observation was that Bruce hailed me when I was about 15 miles away from him. I could hear him, but he could not hear my response. The headset was extremely convenient, and it worked really well during the crossing. While in Bimini in 2016, I did not use my headset, nor my 4 foot antenna. I kept the antenna packed under one of the bow seats in case I wanted to hook it up.
For 2017, I'm going to install a fixed vhf radio, somewhere to the right of the captain's seat, below the throttle levers. I'll use the same removable antenna as last year. I modified one of my wake tower flag holders so that the antenna screws onto it when I want to use it.
For the crossing, I'll have my 4 foot antenna installed, and hooked up to the fixed vhf. Unfortunately, my fixed vhf doesn't have an optional headset, so I'm tempted to use my handheld with the headset for listening during the crossing.

I have a Clarion m505 head unit with Clarion 120w amp. It has the 3.5mm aux input available. Has anyone connected their fixed VHF radio through their head unit? What was their experience? If this works I doubt I need another external speaker. The Clarion also has Bluetooth connectivity. Anyone tried connecting a hand held VHF radio to their head unit with Bluetooth? What VHF portable or fixed radio was good at cancelling background noise while crossing?