Bimini June 23-28 2019

[Bruce]

Was bimini bay there before RW? I was under impression it was part of resort world.

These have some of the history
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/bahamas/10947445/Islands-In-The-Stream-The-battle-for-the-soul-of-Bimini.html
https://www.bahamapundit.com/2017/07/update-on-the-overdevelopment-of-bimini.html

Here is a little info on a recent verdict and new suit
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/aug/21/10m-damages-against-bimini-developer-upheld/
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/oct/04/promoter-renews-8m-resorts-world-pursuit/

 

[Dave Biel]

So I found a very reliable source and spoke with them about the state of Bimini Sands. I may not be telling you anything this group doesn't already know, and it was a very condensed story, I'm sure I'm leaving out some details.

The original builder/developer held control of the HOA for 10 years, when control was handed off to the owners, one individual formed a renters group, which served the needs of large group rentals. This renters group was unfortunately operating illegally, not following Bahamian regs. They were also using the original developers license. Not surprisingly this was shut down. Leaving group rentals in a state of limbo. The good news is that the HOA has hired a large reputable HOA management company out of Miami, that has multiple accounts including others in the Bahamas. They feel that by March everything should be up and running with many improvements underway. They said that everyone is getting paid, restaurant is open, ship store is open, docks are operating as usual. They did convey that one of the membranes from the desalination plant that supplies water to the Sands had broken. So there was some higher levels of salt in the water. They had a replacement part flown out and should be operating normally now.

I'm still going forward with my plans of crossing 6/23-28 without hesitation. I welcome anyone who wants to join. Here's to a smooth crossing!!

 

[Speedling]

Has anyone been to grand bahama? Obviously not as nice and secluded and private etc. but would be a great hopping point to other locations and looks to have more amenities, although, that means less charm as well.
Glad I went when I did!

 

[Bruce]

@Dave Biel, that is the Peter Maury version of the story. Remember the guy who sabotaged every group that visited in 2018?

The Bimini Sands story is much longer and more complex than that.

In short;

Frank Cooney developed and operated Bimini Sands from the 90s through 2014 using Rupert Roberts money.

In 2014 Roberts replaced Cooney with a new management group creating the second rental pool.

In 2016 Roberts decided to shut down the Bimini Sands rental pool. The restaurants and second marina at the south end of the island were abandoned.

The condo owners created their own rental pool, obtained VAT registration and hired the Bahamian Compay AYS to legally handle the rental operations.

Things were looking up at Bimini Sands in 2017. Occupancy rates were several times that of previous years and service levels were up. There continued to be issues with the restaurants and ship store which are owned by Roberts.

In comes 2018 with lots of reservations for condos and group visits and Peter Maury to run the marina and common facilities for Roberts. Then Peter endevours to do all that he can to destroy the condo rental business.

Now there is no rental pool, the marina is empty and there are issues meeting payroll. It is uncertain who will be running Bimini Sands in 2019. It is certain that facilities have been destroyed, supplies have been looted and a year with little or no maintenance will have the condos in disrepair.

 

[Dave Biel]

Thats all good info. Thanks! As for 2019, I was told KW Property Management & Consulting would be the new management company.

 

[Berrie]

Has anyone been to grand bahama? Obviously not as nice and secluded and private etc. but would be a great hopping point to other locations and looks to have more amenities, although, that means less charm as well.
Glad I went when I did!

I've been to West End, and stayed twice for a layover in Old Bahama Bay.
Great marina (expensive, $110/night incl water and power for 31' boat), nice facilities, nice condo's, great pool, fuel dock, customs and immigration on site (all in one room making it a one-stop-shop). Great atmosphere, and a must stop if fuel/reach is a challenge. Great point to venture out to the Abacos, or go to Freeport, Lucaya, take the Lucayan Waterway, and Freeport to Great Isaacs is 38 miles.

However....
Just as Bimini Sands has significant political issues, suddenly so does Old Bahama Bay.
In short: The Bahamian Government struck a deal with an Israeli investment company to take over an abandoned development right next to Old Bahama Bay, to build hotels, condos, and a casino. Most of the infrastructure is done - more or less.
Well, apparently the government also sold Old Bahama Bay with this deal, even though it wasn't theirs to sell. Now the investors and OBB owners are on the war path, and the government plays ignorance.

This article is from September. Apparently they are going to court this January.
http://thefreeportnews.com/news/battle-looms-west-end-investors-govt-silent/

I'll let you know when I hear any news.

 

[Speedling]

I've been to West End, and stayed twice for a layover in Old Bahama Bay.
Great marina (expensive, $110/night incl water and power for 31' boat), nice facilities, nice condo's, great pool, fuel dock, customs and immigration on site (all in one room making it a one-stop-shop). Great atmosphere, and a must stop if fuel/reach is a challenge. Great point to venture out to the Abacos, or go to Freeport, Lucaya, take the Lucayan Waterway, and Freeport to Great Isaacs is 38 miles.

However....
Just as Bimini Sands has significant political issues, suddenly so does Old Bahama Bay.
In short: The Bahamian Government struck a deal with an Israeli investment company to take over an abandoned development right next to Old Bahama Bay, to build hotels, condos, and a casino. Most of the infrastructure is done - more or less.
Well, apparently the government also sold Old Bahama Bay with this deal, even though it wasn't theirs to sell. Now the investors and OBB owners are on the war path, and the government plays ignorance.

This article is from September. Apparently they are going to court this January.
http://thefreeportnews.com/news/battle-looms-west-end-investors-govt-silent/

I'll let you know when I hear any news.

I knew an investor type was looking at buying stuff there, and I was glad to understand that the infrastructure was there already and no more damage to land or water needed to be significantly done.
But, where money and power are involved, people will always be at odds.
Sad, really.
I think all this stuff stems from everyone knowing how much money could really be made if a proper facility was built and maintained and advertised in the U.S.
Perhaps part of the reason no one really can get something going 100% is because the government makes mistakes in their deals too? I don't know how it all works out, but it seems like everything on the islands is small scale with the big scale guys unable to finish.
I would rather have a small scale facility max out and start a second small facility.
For example, make Bimini Sands 100% and max it out with rentals and slips etc. and THEN, buy another spot and call it Bimini Sands II or Bimini Sands North or something.
No one comes in and gets to be Walmart in one shot, essentially.

Nuff said by me, time to sit back and watch it all unfold and I hope the best Bimini Trips are to come!
And if it's all a mess for a few years, hopefully it gets sorted out by the time I can afford a bigger boat and another trip!

 

[Bruce]

Thats all good info. Thanks! As for 2019, I was told KW Property Management & Consulting would be the new management company.

KW took over just before our June 2018 group arrived. They were responsible for the pool being green for several days and the pool bathrooms being locked during both our 2018 trips as well as the lack of pool lighting during the June trip.

KW did have a lot of people pruning trees.

I do not believe that anyone can accurately predict the future of Bimini Sands. It may be that Peter completes his destruction then builds something good on the other side. Or Peter's contract may end and not be renewed in a few months. Either way 2018s destruction piled on top of what was lost when the developer shut down most of his Bimini Sands business in 2016 will take a long time to recover from.

 

[Betik]

 

[Dave Biel]

You’re bumming me out Bruce! I’ll make the most of it. I think of Bimini like beer and pizza, even if it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.

 

[Bruce]

You’re bumming me out Bruce! I’ll make the most of it. I think of Bimini like beer and pizza, even if it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.

Dave, Bimini is awesome however it is much less enjoyable in a hostile environment. Hopefully that will be corrected.

There are many of us who would enjoy Bimini just being on the water all day and having a slip and bed for the nights. But there are many others who want more of a resort environment.

This post will give you some insight into Peter’s plans for Bimini Sands.

 

[hobineros]

That guy sounds like a politician. Best way to hurt politicans is in the wallet.

I'm voting for Exumas. Lol

 

[Omg8]

is Bimini sands the only place to stay? why do people keep trying to stay there with all the bad news on the place? is there another resort with a good reputation?

 

[Bruce]

is Bimini sands the only place to stay? why do people keep trying to stay there with all the bad news on the place? is there another resort with a good reputation?

Bimini Sands has the best location, best docks and best equipped lodging, most of the condo owners love us and are very supportive. The problem is one manager.

RW did not have slips for us last year, that is unlikely to change if they reopen.

Otherwise it is smaller facilities hosting small groups without floating docks. Boats will be damaged during tide changes.

 

[Valerie]

Dave, Bimini is awesome however it is much less enjoyable in a hostile environment. Hopefully that will be corrected.

There are many of us who would enjoy Bimini just being on the water all day and having a slip and bed for the nights. But there are many others who want more of a resort environment.

This post will give you some insight into Peter’s plans for Bimini Sands.

View attachment 86321

I am in complete disbelief...........

 

[Sbrown]

I am in complete disbelief...........

Why?? It's all you jetskiing hooligans that ruined it for the rest of us! LOL!

 

[JayZ2012]

Bruce- I haven't been there (would like to go) but this picture of RW looks like floating docks. https://www.google.com/maps/@25.7524215,-79.2776147,3a,75y,74.66h,90t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipPZpIyfVcyEVBbALhg59UVirrx5jDYHEpyQERzO!2e10!3e11!6shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPZpIyfVcyEVBbALhg59UVirrx5jDYHEpyQERzO=w203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya78.782684-ro-0-fo100!7i8704!8i4352

Is this what you remember seeing there?

It is a bummer because you can't have the dock right outside of the condo. I liked that about bimini sands.

 

[JayZ2012]

Says he's at Bay Street Marina in Nassau - https://www.facebook.com/peter.maury

 

[DIRTYOAR]

How about http://www.rwbimini.com/marina

 

[Bruce]

@JayZ2012, RW has always had floating docks. Many of those were destroyed in the hurricane at the end of 2017 and as far as I know they have not rebuilt. They would not rent slips to JetBoaters who stayed at the Hilton last year. In past years their slip rates were over $100 per night.