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

[haknslash]

I chatted with Nichole on FB messenger and she said they were the final group. That @swatski and another boat were ahead and to the right of them. When the storm hit they got separated and decided it wasn't safe and turned back. The boats behind them also turned back. So I'm guessing swatski and the rest of the final group are still en route. I just hope they brought extra fuel as I'm sure pushing through storms is going to burn a ton.

 

[waterboy]

So I'm guessing swatski and the rest of the final group are still en route.

are there any inreach trackers or anything with them? If they left in the morning, they are long out of fuel. There is no way they are still out there and travelling.

 

[waterboy]

There is no way they are still out there and travelling.

except via the gulf stream...

 

[Bennie]

Quick question? Why the early departure?

I see that this group and most others depart early. Any reason for that? Seems like much easier traveling around mid-day.
Coming from seeing how the Gulf of Mexico is for the last 5 years.

 

[DieselCamel]

Quick question? Why the early departure?

I see that this group and most others depart early. Any reason for that? Seems like much easier traveling around mid-day.
Coming from seeing how the Gulf of Mexico is for the last 5 years.

The weather and the wind is normally calmest in the early morning hours.

 

[Andy S]

Quick question? Why the early departure?

I see that this group and most others depart early. Any reason for that? Seems like much easier traveling around mid-day.
Coming from seeing how the Gulf of Mexico is for the last 5 years.

Typically seas are calmer in the morning. Also give you more time to make re-attempts.

 

[haknslash]

I have no idea if anyone else has tracking on. Surely someone does. Bill had created a thread asking folks to add their tracking but nobody did. If someone posted it in this thread it's long buried now lol.

 

[haknslash]

They are over halfway there! A little bit drifted south but on course!

 

[kthrash]

anybody heard from Island Girl?

 

[thefortunes]

Been watching this thread and reminiscing about our inaugural 2011 trip with Jeff, @Andy S and others (I was the genius who had 4 couples in our SX230, with a "boatload" - pun intended - of luggage, gas, food and booze).

@Andy S - I don't remember if you were one of the 3 other boats who stayed with us for longer than the main group, but on our return we had 5'-7' waves. Were we just lucky with the duration of the waves that we didn't have any problems? We certainly had to slow way down, but none of our group had any issues getting back.

 

[haknslash]

Spoke with @blacksapphirez and he said @swatski and @Drift Away are there

 

[biminibrad]

Back to dock, Bruce and other made several gas runs to boats, you have agreat group. I am going to pool for music and drink!

 

[haknslash]

Spoke with Jin. He said it would have been too rough for a 19' boat but there was a FSH that made it and had to use 50 gallons. Jin said he drove 15-20 mph and only burned 33 gallons while others ran out of gas. I'm guessing cargo differences played a big role.

 

[jameskeller76]

So no 19 footers went across, except for the FSH? How many bailed on the trip?

 

[Andy S]

Been watching this thread and reminiscing about our inaugural 2011 trip with Jeff, @Andy S and others (I was the genius who had 4 couples in our SX230, with a "boatload" - pun intended - of luggage, gas, food and booze).

@Andy S - I don't remember if you were one of the 3 other boats who stayed with us for longer than the main group, but on our return we had 5'-7' waves. Were we just lucky with the duration of the waves that we didn't have any problems? We certainly had to slow way down, but none of our group had any issues getting back.

No I wasn't with the bigger return group, Jeff (@upperdeck), myself, @Bousbous55 and one other boat stayed until Tuesday. Our return trip was pretty decent until the Coast Guard cutter stopped us 12 miles from Florida to check us out and thankfully let us go.

 

[biminibrad]

I can tell you on behalf of Bimini Sands, if there is any roughness in forcast, we will have a boat 15 miles off loaded with 5 gall. Gas cans next year.

 

[haknslash]

So no 19 footers went across, except for the FSH? How many bailed on the trip?

I'm not saying some didn't go. He just said it was too rough probably meaning likely for most. They didn't have the same weather I think as Bill and group experienced.

 

[justason]

@biminibrad found him. Talk about going above and beyond with customer service!

FOUND HIM !?!? How does that happen. Where was the buddy system.

 

[Bennie]

until the Coast Guard cutter stopped us 12 miles from Florida to check us out and thankfully let us go.

@Andy S - Is it normal for USCG to stop and cause customs problems with boaters? I would think with normal ID and US Passport it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[thefortunes]

No I wasn't with the bigger return group, Jeff (@upperdeck), myself, @Bousbous55 and one other boat stayed until Tuesday. Our return trip was pretty decent until the Coast Guard cutter stopped us 12 miles from Florida to check us out and thankfully let us go.

View attachment 59281

Yep, that was me. Was significantly rougher than the crossing over to Bimini, but even with 8 in the boat we stayed dry.

I do have some good pics of the Coast Guard cutter