2018 Bimini June trip (June 24th - June 30th)

[veedubtek]

2 19' yammys docked here now

 

[McMark]

Any tubing on the way over?

 

[Sbrown]

Any tubing on the way over?

No, but only because it wouldn't have been any fun, it was too smooth.

 

[2kwik4u]

2 19' yammys docked here now

So it's possible.......Sweet.

Been debating the idea of flying/ferrying the wife and boys over, and making the crossing myself to keep them safe.

I'm in for any pics of 19ft boats in the bahamas!

 

[swatski]

shows it's not an isolated incident

uhh... yeah.

It is 100% vibration/shaking induced pullout, followed by whatever - cross-thread and/or collapse (or nothing if the second bolt holds).



EDIT: And no, it is not due to the Bermuda Triangle/ Hutchinson effect.

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[swatski]

I'm in for any pics of 19ft boats in the bahamas!

Here you go


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[swatski]

I'm in for any pics of 19ft boats in the bahamas!

Here you go
View attachment 77375



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[Bruce]

So it's possible.......Sweet.

Been debating the idea of flying/ferrying the wife and boys over, and making the crossing myself to keep them safe.

I'm in for any pics of 19ft boats in the bahamas!

19 footers have gone every year since they were introduced. The crews on the smallest boats often are some of the best people.

 

[DieselCamel]

 

[swatski]

19 footers have gone every year since they were introduced. The crews on the smallest boats often are some of the best people.

@Bruce good point, sir.
@2kwik4u I will just mention it here:
After our 2016 crossing in a 190 my wife said "Next time - get a bigger boat or forget about it".
Being a great husband that I am, I dutifully obliged.
lol

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[2kwik4u]

@2kwik4u I will just mention it here:
After our 2016 crossing in a 190 my wife said "Next time - get a bigger boat or forget about it".
Being a great husband that I am, I dutifully obliged.
lol

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I'm really glad to hear that the 19ft boats make the trip as well as the 21-23/24ft vessels. I hadn't seen any pictures, and nobody really mentioned it outright.

I've also been pushing somewhat hard to upgrade our 190. We love the size/shape/usage of what we have, but there is continuing talk with friends/family about taking boating related vacations, and that seems to almost always revolve around having more space on board.

In another thought.....I was discussing this trip with some friends on the lake this weekend, and the question was raised......Do you guys think a 24 tri-toon with a 150hp would make the trip? We determined fuel burn probably wouldn't be the issue, but possibly the conditions being a problem. Any thoughts?

 

[Bruce]

@2kwik4u, I had to wait to stop laughing before I could respond.

Tahoe did it but they had perfect conditions. https://www.tahoepontoons.com/about/adventure/

A tritoon could have made Sunday's crossing but they would be stuck in Bimini waiting for similar conditions to return in. Those conditions are rare. It is the first time that any of our groups have had such conditions going to Bimini.

 

[2kwik4u]

@2kwik4u, I had to wait to stop laughing before I could respond.

Tahoe did it but they had perfect conditions. https://www.tahoepontoons.com/about/adventure/

A tritoon could have made Sunday's crossing but they would be stuck in Bimini waiting for similar conditions to return in. Those conditions are rare. It is the first time that any of our groups have had such conditions going to Bimini.

I expected that as the response, but had no idea if those conditions were common or few and far between. I know nothing of ocean going conditions, and my only frame of reference is that his boat rides WAY smoother than mine

 

[Bruce]

@2kwik4u, these are example clips from the 2014 to 2016 crossings

This is 2017

I believe his tritoon rides smoother because the pontoons cut through the waves instead of going over them. It also is likely heavier than your boat. But put it in rough seas and the water will go right over that flat deck. I expect everyone and everything to wash out of the boat.

Tritoon people consider this to be rough seas

 

[swatski]

I expected that as the response, but had no idea if those conditions were common or few and far between. I know nothing of ocean going conditions, and my only frame of reference is that his boat rides WAY smoother than mine

Watch the 2017 clip from @Bruce video, things went way downhill from that a bit later.
The guys who made the 2017 crossing in their 190 FSH had balls of steel, I would have had turned around most likely, myslef.

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[haknslash]

Yea I would never attempt that crossing in a pontoon even if it were a tritoon. If the weather got bad and the waves picked up the pontoons wouldn't be able to keep up slicing through and the deck would just get beat underneath and then all hell would break loose.

Crossing in 19' boats isn't a matter of if the boat can do it. Never has been. It's about the captain and crew putting up with the battle for that length of time. We also don't have as much freeboard as the larger boats so it's even more important for us not to dip the bow. So that means having to sacrifice slow comfort for safety and keeping the boat from taking shots. Fuel is also the issue if weather is less than clear and smooth since we only have 30 gallon tanks. The fuel issue can be easily resolved but the body pounding is what gets most of the smaller boat guys. Many who cross in a 19' end up upgrading when they return, if that's any indication of what they felt lol. If I were going in my boat I'd have to stand in the isle most of the way just to absorb the pounding. Envious of those that cross in those smooth waters. Should have broke out the Wake boards and slalom skis along the way!

 

[2kwik4u]

So to make sure I am understanding correctly, the waves are getting high/fast enough that taking one over the bow is the biggest concern right? Is structural integrity of the hull ever an issue? Do you guys see other bowriders out and about in this kind of mess? If not are Yamaha owners just crazier than others? Is it the "self bailing" cockpit design that allows these kind of shenanigans? If waves over the bow are the biggest concern, would a snap on bow cover be enough to keep the majority of the water out of the cockpit? How does one learn how to pilot in these kinds of conditions? Straight up experience?

Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing in the ocean, but consider myself a competent pilot/captain on smaller water. I've been on the Ohio River in what I thought at the time were 2-3ft swells before on particularly stormy/windy days, but it didn't look nearly this rough. I've also been on Lake Michigan in what I was told were "pretty big rollers". Am I capable of making this type of trip in my 190, or should I just keep myself safe and stay away? What kind of education/credentials do I need to make this happen?

 

[AbuAyd]

So to make sure I am understanding correctly, the waves are getting high/fast enough that taking one over the bow is the biggest concern right? Is structural integrity of the hull ever an issue? Do you guys see other bowriders out and about in this kind of mess? If not are Yamaha owners just crazier than others? Is it the "self bailing" cockpit design that allows these kind of shenanigans? If waves over the bow are the biggest concern, would a snap on bow cover be enough to keep the majority of the water out of the cockpit? How does one learn how to pilot in these kinds of conditions? Straight up experience?

Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing in the ocean, but consider myself a competent pilot/captain on smaller water. I've been on the Ohio River in what I thought at the time were 2-3ft swells before on particularly stormy/windy days, but it didn't look nearly this rough. I've also been on Lake Michigan in what I was told were "pretty big rollers". Am I capable of making this type of trip in my 190, or should I just keep myself safe and stay away? What kind of education/credentials do I need to make this happen?

Many of the same questions I have. Will have to tell you after July. I am attempting the cross in a single engine Glastron gt207 so it is comparable to the 190. I am planning to cover the bow and I worry about taking on water and about sucking weeds since I don’t have clean out ports. I guess it is not just the Yamaha owners who are crazy enough to do this. My view is I am relying on the experience of people in this forum who are helping me. I would not be nearly as confident if it was not for all the information shared on this forum to help me prepare. I am hoping for excellent weather in our July group but would not mind little waves so we can get some practice preferably on the way back

 

[Bruce]

@2kwik4u, if you read the previous Bimini trip threads you will find first hand info for lots of your questions.

1. Water over the bow is a small concern for our boats but the most likely cause of swamping. Water over the bow would be over deck to a pontoon.

2. Yes other bowriders cross to Bimini. Most are not as well suited to the crossing.

3. Self bailing is a real asset although I have rarely used that feature.

4. Snap on bow covers have been said to help, in 2017 they did not stand up to the conditions.

5. Experience is the best way to learn. Many cross to Bimini as their first ocean voyage and return ready to lead groups back.

6. Spacing has a major role in wave severity. Well spaced 5 footers are less of a concern than tightly packed or confused 2 footers.

7. Whether or not you are capable is all about confidence and desire. We have never had a 19 foot boat turn back. You should assume that a preplanned crossing will be rough. See Rough Water Handling Tips for more information.

It would be good to read the entire Preparing for Bimini Thread.

 

[justason]

Are westill targeting tuesday as a honeymoon harbor day?