Bimini 2018

[robert843]

I wasn't there so I can only go by reading the 2017 thread, but from my understanding there were multiple instances where communications were not possible because some only had a handheld VHF. One person went the wrong way and could not be contacted, someone ran out of fuel short of Bimini and could not radio for help because their handheld didn't have the reach.
If you get swamped and all electronics die, a fixed VHF will not help you, but that is about the worst case scenario. There are multiple less-than-worst-case scenarios where a fixed is far superior to a handheld. And why I always travel with both, and a SPOT, and if crossing, an EPIRB. And if I had known better, I would not have gotten the SPOT, but a waterproof sat phone instead.

This is partially true but a Delorme inreach would have fixed all these issues as well. One boat did have a fixed VHF and they were unsuccessful in reaching anyone from the group as well so had to get help from Sea Tow Back on the mainland to come get them. So if 2017 is the example the fixed VHF failed in raising the closest help and assistance was gotten from a greater distance. Now they were able to reach Sea Tow I think it was on Channel 16 later after multiple attempts to reach the group so it did work for that but that could have been done by cell phone, Delorme, Satellite phone just as easy. One of the other who was using a handheld finally got a hold of the group by cell phone once they turned it on and realized they had signal. The boat in the below post had a fixed VHF with a 7 foot antenna.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/jetboaters-net-bimini-fling-july-10th-to-15th-2017.11966/page-153#post-249199

 

[Amar Nanduri]

4 batteries on the boat, 2 deep cycle (need power for fixed vhf just in case I get stranded in the ocean for days)
One fixed vhf with 4 foot antennae
2 handheld vhf
One garmin inreach
One garmin gps
2 navionics on 2 mobile phones (one att one Verizon)
Flares (handheld and the pistol)
3 waterproof torches with 12 spare batteries
One floating Ditch bag with power bars, water bottles, cash, credit cards and passport

Yeah...I was prepared for the 2017 trip

Have to get started in spring for the 2018 trip.

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

4 batteries on the boat, 2 deep cycle (need power for fixed vhf just in case I get stranded in the ocean for days)
One fixed vhf with 4 foot antennae
2 handheld vhf
One garmin inreach
One garmin gps
2 navionics on 2 mobile phones (one att one Verizon)
Flares (handheld and the pistol)
3 waterproof torches with 12 spare batteries
One floating Ditch bag with power bars, water bottles, cash, credit cards and passport

Yeah...I was prepared for the 2017 trip

Have to get started in spring for the 2018 trip.

This guy gets it. It's not just ourselves we're preparing for, but our group too. In the 2016 crossing our group had a vessel who had difficulty operating their VHF radio, hand held or fix mount, and couldn't communicate with the group. This happened just outside Port Everglades. An additional radio and practice with these radios "might" have prevented a less than pleasant crossing for the rest of us in his group. I'd like to hear what @MrMoose thinks about folks who attempt to cross but cannot communicate via VHF. He's a much bigger man than most of us.

 

[Drift Away]

I wasn't there so I can only go by reading the 2017 thread, but from my understanding there were multiple instances where communications were not possible because some only had a handheld VHF. One person went the wrong way and could not be contacted, someone ran out of fuel short of Bimini and could not radio for help because their handheld didn't have the reach.
If you get swamped and all electronics die, a fixed VHF will not help you, but that is about the worst case scenario. There are multiple less-than-worst-case scenarios where a fixed is far superior to a handheld. And why I always travel with both, and a SPOT, and if crossing, an EPIRB. And if I had known better, I would not have gotten the SPOT, but a waterproof sat phone instead.

I can tell you my hand held was a paper weight once i ran out of gas (first time). Id never make the crossing again without a mounted radio. Save the hand helds for the island Bimini bread runs in the morning.

 

[veedubtek]

Man, I must be super frugal. Most I ever spent was $3800, and that was on Abaco last year. And we drove to florida, flew there, and rented a boat for 7 days and ate/drank out ALOT. Bimini has never cost more than 2K for me and the wife, from the time we leave the house, til we walk back in the door. (not counting getting your vessel prepared of course - that's not a one time deal for one trip - usually :lol: )

 

[DieselCamel]

I think there’s no reason not to have both. Fixed and handheld. Weather a fixed is going to be useful is going to definitely depend on the situation. But if you have to abandon ship. You still have a way to Communicate a short distance. Plus you can use the handheld in Bimini in shore. With the cost of these being Relatively low I see no reason not to have them on a trip like this. In addition to inReach or Whatever other device you prefer

 

[DieselCamel]

Man, I must be super frugal. Most I ever spent was $3800, and that was on Abaco last year. And we drove to florida, flew there, and rented a boat for 7 days and ate/drank out ALOT. Bimini has never cost more than 2K for me and the wife, from the time we leave the house, til we walk back in the door. (not counting getting your vessel prepared of course - that's not a one time deal for one trip - usually :lol: )

“Mr.Super Frugal”. But if you weren’t splitting the cost the trips Would cost definitely more.

 

[2nazt]

I spent $60 dollars when I went to West End lol. I already had the boat filled prior to going and free customs and room and docking. Stayed a night and came back the next day with a cooler of fish with just my boat.

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

Man, I must be super frugal. Most I ever spent was $3800, and that was on Abaco last year. And we drove to florida, flew there, and rented a boat for 7 days and ate/drank out ALOT. Bimini has never cost more than 2K for me and the wife, from the time we leave the house, til we walk back in the door. (not counting getting your vessel prepared of course - that's not a one time deal for one trip - usually :lol: )

Lol the cheapest condo with slip is $1600. Plus $150 customs fees. I've been called super cheap many times. This trip isn't cheap

 

[veedubtek]

Lol the cheapest condo with slip is $1600. Plus $150 customs fees. I've been called super cheap many times. This trip isn't cheap

Depends on how many you take I reckon. Buddy up, share a house, whatever. We split 2 ways one year, 3 ways another year. Bring all drinks/groceries, eat out once or twice. It can be as cheap as you want it to be, pending family size of course.

 

[Julian]

I should have put in my post that a fixed is critical and a handheld is your backup to it and your ditch radio. You want both ideally.

The boat that ran out of gas way offshore had a full size radio and it is the reason they were able to reach us for help. I'm not saying that a handheld wouldn't have reached other boats (non-group members), but they were able to reach us and continue their vacation (with our help and the coast guards).

My big mistake was not realizing that Driftaway didn't have a full size radio and not calling in with our radio to the group at the Sands to confirm someone was coming out with gas for them as promised. They assumed that as we went out with gas that Driftaway was covered. What actually happened was Driftaway told us that someone was coming with gas for them and there was a boat further out that needed gas (ended up being 24 miles offshore by the time we found and reached them with the CG's help!). Their full size radio was what made this possible. I'll take max 25 mile reach over 5 mile reach every day on that crossing!

So yes....redundancy is critical!

 

[robert843]

I should have put in my post that a fixed is critical and a handheld is your backup to it and your ditch radio. You want both ideally.

The boat that ran out of gas way offshore had a full size radio and it is the reason they were able to reach us for help. I'm not saying that a handheld wouldn't have reached other boats (non-group members), but they were able to reach us and continue their vacation (with our help and the coast guards).

My big mistake was not realizing that Driftaway didn't have a full size radio and not calling in with our radio to the group at the Sands to confirm someone was coming out with gas for them as promised. They assumed that as we went out with gas that Driftaway was covered. What actually happened was Driftaway told us that someone was coming with gas for them and there was a boat further out that needed gas (ended up being 24 miles offshore by the time we found and reached them with the CG's help!). Their full size radio was what made this possible. I'll take max 25 mile reach over 5 mile reach every day on that crossing!

So yes....redundancy is critical!

I agree having both are ideal. @Alex&Elena to my knowledge never got a hold of the group from there fixed radio but I could be wrong thats just what I read. I'm not saying to not take both and heck my combo isn't even cheaper budget wise so its not a budget option either. I knew when I posted this it would be unpopular but I promise my post has nothing but the best intentions of safety for the group as whole. I see too many people saying that a hand held and a fixed vhf are must haves on this trip but hardly anyone really says that satellite tracking or communication is a must its almost an after thought. My only point is before I would purchase a fixed vhf and a handheld and think I was safe I would go hand held and a in reach. To think just because I have a a fixed vhf I'm good is crazy. If someone going on this trip buys both a handheld and a fixed VHF they should at least buy the third option as well. I'm definitely not arguing that a hand held is superior to a fixed VHF as that is not the case but an inreach and a hand held is superior to a fixed VHF and a hand held VHF as combo. I know @Drift Away and other had a crazy experience last year and it was gut wrenching reading the stories of these guys and what happened especially reading that people could not be found as it was happening had any of them had an inreach I still feel their situations could have been resolved quicker and easier then if they would have a had a fixed VHF. I will drop the subject as it's not debate I can win I can only express my opinion and hope that some understand and make the best choices for their family and crew.

 

[tim h]

4 batteries on the boat, 2 deep cycle (need power for fixed vhf just in case I get stranded in the ocean for days)
One fixed vhf with 4 foot antennae
2 handheld vhf
One garmin inreach
One garmin gps
2 navionics on 2 mobile phones (one att one Verizon)
Flares (handheld and the pistol)
3 waterproof torches with 12 spare batteries
One floating Ditch bag with power bars, water bottles, cash, credit cards and passport

Yeah...I was prepared for the 2017 trip

Have to get started in spring for the 2018 trip.

Something like this should be the standard.

PLAN AHEAD
Don't rely on others.

YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF ALONE OUT THERE.
This certainly is not what we plan for, but as the 2017 trip has proven, it CAN HAPPEN !

The length of your antennae matters, the longer the better. 7 or 8 ft is what I recommend.
Even if you need to change it back to the shorty after the trip.

One thing that is not mentioned very much is a MARINE COMPASS. Do the bigger Yamahas come with them ?
When I make the crossing I am always watching the Chart-plotter AND the compass.

 

[Berrie]

When I make the crossing I am always watching the Chart-plotter AND the compass.

^^^^ This!

I will bow my head in shame and admit one of my fuba's during our Abacos trip.

We were running the Little Bahama Bank. It was raining but no waves so we ran ~35mph until the wind caused some of the eisinglass snaps to release. I stopped to reattach the eisinglass, then started back up, following the line on my plotter.
After about 5 minutes i also looked at my compass and noticed something was not right.
That's when i realized that, while i reattached the eisinglass, the wind had turned the boat 180' and for the last 6 minutes i had been running in the wrong direction.

Had i not checked my compass i would not have noticed for another hour or two.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

https://www.amazon.com/S-53-Ritchie-Navigation-Explorer-Compass/dp/B001449AC0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1514995848&sr=8-5&keywords=marine+compass+dash+mount

something like this ? Can use velcro to stick to the dashboard.

 

[tim h]

Exactly .
I even carry a spare...

I'm not sure Velcro will hold up to adverse conditions though.

 

[Julian]

I agree having both are ideal. @Alex&Elena to my knowledge never got a hold of the group from there fixed radio but I could be wrong thats just what I read. I'm not saying to not take both and heck my combo isn't even cheaper budget wise so its not a budget option either. I knew when I posted this it would be unpopular but I promise my post has nothing but the best intentions of safety for the group as whole. I see too many people saying that a hand held and a fixed vhf are must haves on this trip but hardly anyone really says that satellite tracking or communication is a must its almost an after thought. My only point is before I would purchase a fixed vhf and a handheld and think I was safe I would go hand held and a in reach. To think just because I have a a fixed vhf I'm good is crazy. If someone going on this trip buys both a handheld and a fixed VHF they should at least buy the third option as well. I'm definitely not arguing that a hand held is superior to a fixed VHF as that is not the case but an inreach and a hand held is superior to a fixed VHF and a hand held VHF as combo. I know @Drift Away and other had a crazy experience last year and it was gut wrenching reading the stories of these guys and what happened especially reading that people could not be found as it was happening had any of them had an inreach I still feel their situations could have been resolved quicker and easier then if they would have a had a fixed VHF. I will drop the subject as it's not debate I can win I can only express my opinion and hope that some understand and make the best choices for their family and crew.

These discussions are what we need to continue, not stop! I learn so much in the back and forth, and agree, that a portable satellite EBIRB like device is the absolute IDEAL solution if your boat sinks! What I will add though is that we need to plan for each and every possibility we can afford to. Sinking is the worst case scenario, but also one of the least likely that will happen when you are "alone". This is a really busy shipping lane, so unlikely you'd ever be out of reach of another boat with a radio. But like you point out....do you want to risk that? Perhaps what we need are a list of possible issues and the best ways to handle them?

1. Run out of gas
   • Have spare fuel
   • Run with other vessels that have spare fuel
   • Have a 25w marine radio and 8' antenna for contacting other vessels that might assist with fuel (or the Coast guard)
   • Have multiple reliable GPS coordinate devices so you can tell other vessels exactly where you are!
   • (as a rescue vessel - know how to quickly enter GPS coordinates into your device - I failed this with my Garmin - but had Maps on my phone as backup which worked well)
   • Have a GPS/Satellite distress signaling device (EPIRB)
2. Taking on water
   • Remember that when on plane, you usually won't take on water if its an external fitting leaking (so try getting on plane). Have corks available.
   • Have backup/redundant bilge pump or ballast pump (I took my ballast bag pumps along)
   • Have a bucket
   • Have a ditch bag ready and stocked
   • Have a raft, or plan on using a watersports tube.
   • Practice ditching and who does what/gets what.
   • Have a 25w marine radio and 8' antenna for contacting other vessels that might assist with fuel (or the Coast guard)
   • Have multiple reliable GPS coordinate devices so you can tell other vessels exactly where you are!
3. Have a GPS/Satellite distress signaling device (EPIRB)
   

There are lots more sorts of things that can go wrong....write up your list and figure out how you'd handle each scenario and what you might need. Also consider that there are levels of "oh shitedness"....meaning, step one you might try and reach Jetboaters, step two -another boat, step 3 the Coast guard.....and for each level you may need different equipment.

 

[2nazt]

I think as @Mainah stated not only do you need to have equipment but KNOW how to use them along as having your crew know how to use it and operate your boat. I make sure my wife know how’s to use the radio, find our coordinates on the plotter and say them, and how to operate all the safety items we have.

So many people bring extra fuel but have your tried holding a 5 gallon jug in 6’ Seas when you are trying to pour it in your fuel tank. The siphon pumps other listed are pretty much needed in my opinion or buy a spare fuel cap you can drill then screw on with the siphon hose secured to that to reduce water inlet and pump the fuel in that way without hanging from the boat.

I think these crossing aren’t that bad but I spend a lot of time on the ocean. In a day of fishing I usually travel 50-125 or more miles from launch to recovery and 20 miles is round trip to the inlet. I know my boat and equipment and that I think is the biggest thing in my thoughts.

 

[robert843]

I think as @Mainah stated not only do you need to have equipment but KNOW how to use them along as having your crew know how to use it and operate your boat.

This is an extremely under-stressed fact. I always make sure someone know how to operate my boat and the equipment my wife hates that she had to learn but god forbid I have a heart attack or get severely injured by a falling wake tower I want to know my crew can get themselves to safety and hopefully me as well if needed. Its been a couple years since I have been on the group trip as I have gotten lucky and fallen into the comfort of rolling with some experienced boaters but I can think of probably at least 5 boats from the 2015 trip that if something would have happened to the Captain on the crossing the crew would have been in big trouble. I'm willing to bet in 2017 there was a lot more then 5 boats with that issue mainly as the group size was a lot larger.

 

[Speedling]

This is an extremely under-stressed fact. I always make sure someone know how to operate my boat and the equipment my wife hates that she had to learn but god forbid I have a heart attack or get severely injured by a falling wake tower I want to know my crew can get themselves to safety and hopefully me as well if needed. Its been a couple years since I have been on the group trip as I have gotten lucky and fallen into the comfort of rolling with some experienced boaters but I can think of probably at least 5 boats from the 2015 trip that if something would have happened to the Captain on the crossing the crew would have been in big trouble. I'm willing to bet in 2017 there was a lot more then 5 boats with that issue mainly as the group size was a lot larger.

No matter how much preperation you have and equipment you have, the best thing is to be as a group. I can't imagine what someone drifting away would feel like. I wouldn't plan on making this trip without a group.
But, a captain is responsible for his own vesel for sure.
I probably will have a little less equipment than some of the best equipped boats, however, I agree with previous statements about using them. Boating Lake Michigan probably prepares me for bigger waves than most, but certainly not the duration of this crossing!
I personally am more worried about every nut and bolt on my tower and boat and speakers than getting lost from the group or running out of gas. If I felt confident enough in the boats capabilities, and the waters were right, I would have no problem crossing by myself, other than the fact that I haven't done it before and it would be dumb to try solo!
The biggest problem we have for this trip is not having dates to go on yet!