2019 Bimini Trip ( Unofficial Thread Until Admin Puts Official One Up)

[Betik]

@JeffVans if my kids were to join next year, this will be our plan.
As long as we cross with the group we will aim to bring the kids along. If the forecast looks good, then we all get on the boat.
If the forecast looks bad ( and I am committed to crossing) I am crossing with the group and sending the wife/kids at the ferry.
If I exit Port Everglades and it seems a 2015/2017 repeat, them I am heading to Miami through the inter-coastal. I am dropping the kids to the ferry and heading out. If something goes wrong I will be on the Ferry's path, so I get picked up my the boat my kids are on and still arrive in Bimini. Then boatless while in Bimini, I would hope one of you nice gentelman to help up out while out boat is resting at 2000 feet of water.


Can the kids handle it? I think they can. But a 24 fiberglass boat pointing 45degress towards the sky is not pleasant to anyone let alone kids. There is no need to risk a traumatic crossing for $400. If you think of that cost as % of the total investment, it is nothing.

PS. Never look at the actual cost, always look at it as percentage of the total cost. It is no different that @swatski calling everything a "safety" feature.
Trimtabs? safety feature
lights? safety feature
$300 jack? safety feature
$5000 sounds system ? safety feature. Safety feature ???? " Yes sure Kate, how about if there is a weather alert, we want to be able to hear it over our noise boat.......
$90K Land Crusier? safety feature. You know in case we have to tow the boat through the woods and then boat to island to escape the zombies.

 

[swatski]

PS. Never look at the actual cost, always look at it as percentage of the total cost. It is no different that @swatski calling everything a "safety" feature.
Trimtabs? safety feature
lights? safety feature
$300 jack? safety feature
$5000 sounds system ? safety feature. Safety feature ???? " Yes sure Kate, how about if there is a weather alert, we want to be able to hear it over our noise boat.......
$90K Land Crusier? safety feature. You know in case we have to tow the boat through the woods and then boat to island to escape the zombies.

ROTFL. So true.
But you have to be careful.
After my last "safety mod": the RIVA ECU reflash, the shtick was up... She's sooo watching me now, I couldn't upgrade a life vest.

--

 

[Tony Walters]

Have been reading everyone's post and was looking into tagging along next year to Bimini if that is possible. It seems as if everyone is running a jet boat and did not know if it was a problem that I would be running a 2018 SeaDoo Rxt-X 300 jet ski.?

 

[Betik]

@Tony Walters we had skis in the past. I do not see that being an issue.
Wild this be your first off shore experience? If so @Valerie @Ramblin Wreck etall can offer some advice

 

[Tony Walters]

@Betik, It will be my first off shore experience. Everything I have been reading on for being prepared seems to be dated from 2016 not sure how much if any has changed since then.?

 

[JeffVans]

If I exit Port Everglades and it seems a 2015/2017 repeat, them I am heading to Miami through the inter-coastal. I am dropping the kids to the ferry and heading out.

This may be the right plan... I'll follow your lead on it. lol I'll just keep the ferry $$ in reserve and worst case scenario, I'll have extra booze money! hahaha

 

[Betik]

@Tony Walters I cannot imagine much have changed. Have you seen that 2017 and 2018 threads from this forum ? Not sure they are applicable to you on a ski but still a good read.

When the dates get annouceed and you decide on which trip you are going we can have some of pwc veterans chat with you. I think the leaders tent to group some of the skis together.

From what I have noticed there are 2 key issues with the PWCs.
1. Is to have enough fuel
2.is to be able to keep up with the boat ( if the water is rough this is going to hurt)

FYI @Valerie was able to keep up with our group in 2017 and that a rough crossing. So most defiantly doable, you just need to get in shape lol

I saw that you are in NC and in NC to GA @robert843 tends to organize daily or weekend trips. Just keep on eye on the recent posts on the forum and you could join one or 2 of those trips. Get time to know people and see how the group thing works.

 

[Betik]

This may be the right plan... I'll follow your lead on it. lol I'll just keep the ferry $$ in reserve and worst case scenario, I'll have extra booze money! hahaha

Once you get to Bimini cash tents to disappear escecially if your wife likes $80 fish, so reserves don’t hurt but they don’t last long LOL

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Leading group trips is like project management and politics combined. I don’t want either involved in my vacation time. I do truly appreciate the leaders here as I know there is more involved than meets the eye such as fielding personal phone calls from the likes of me and @Betik. I owe @Bruce a big thanks for all of the knowledge and tips he shared.

Sadly, I likely won’t be joining the 2019 trip. 2018 was fun with some great memories but also wooed me into agreeing with my wife on having a second home in retirement on some crystal blue water. That is 20 years away but gives us plenty of time to visit lots of places in search of the ideal location for us. Florida keys, South America, Bahamas? Who knows but it sure sounds like fun and this trip inspired it.

Sounds like you need to organize the trip to the KEYS.
Or help me Convince @seanmclean to do so...

 

[Speedling]

Just got my cell phone bill.
Apparently my wife was texting a lot of photos to friends.
$210 in international roaming charges.
Just a heads up.
My overage was about $20 but i mostly had mine in airplane mode and just used for navionics.

 

[Bruce]

$210 in international roaming charges.
Just a heads up.

What provider? Most have an international roaming option for $10 a day. Call and ask to retroactively add it.

AT&T dinged me for that $10 on 8 days and apparently @Emma ran up another $30 in charges.

 

[Speedling]

What provider? Most have an international roaming option for $10 a day. Call and ask to retroactively add it.

AT&T dinged me for that $10 on 8 days and apparently @Emma ran up another $30 in charges.

Att.
I will have to go in there and there and talk about other stuff anyways.
Meanwhile, i guess i go work more hours...

 

[robert843]

Just got my cell phone bill.
Apparently my wife was texting a lot of photos to friends.
$210 in international roaming charges.
Just a heads up.
My overage was about $20 but i mostly had mine in airplane mode and just used for navionics.

Holly crap that stinks. I have sprint and for no additional charge it’s free data and free text messages the only thing they charge is 10 cents a minute on phone calls.

 

[swatski]

Just got my cell phone bill.
Apparently my wife was texting a lot of photos to friends.
$210 in international roaming charges.
Just a heads up.
My overage was about $20 but i mostly had mine in airplane mode and just used for navionics.

Ouch! That brings back memories of my daughter's recent school trip to Spain... lol.
Hope you can fix it, maybe.

--

 

[Tony Walters]

@Tony Walters I cannot imagine much have changed. Have you seen that 2017 and 2018 threads from this forum ? Not sure they are applicable to you on a ski but still a good read.

When the dates get annouceed and you decide on which trip you are going we can have some of pwc veterans chat with you. I think the leaders tent to group some of the skis together.

From what I have noticed there are 2 key issues with the PWCs.
1. Is to have enough fuel
2.is to be able to keep up with the boat ( if the water is rough this is going to hurt)

FYI @Valerie was able to keep up with our group in 2017 and that a rough crossing. So most defiantly doable, you just need to get in shape lol

I saw that you are in NC and in NC to GA @robert843 tends to organize daily or weekend trips. Just keep on eye on the recent posts on the forum and you could join one or 2 of those trips. Get time to know people and see how the group thing works.

@Tony Walters I cannot imagine much have changed. Have you seen that 2017 and 2018 threads from this forum ? Not sure they are applicable to you on a ski but still a good read.

When the dates get annouceed and you decide on which trip you are going we can have some of pwc veterans chat with you. I think the leaders tent to group some of the skis together.

From what I have noticed there are 2 key issues with the PWCs.
1. Is to have enough fuel
2.is to be able to keep up with the boat ( if the water is rough this is going to hurt)

FYI @Valerie was able to keep up with our group in 2017 and that a rough crossing. So most defiantly doable, you just need to get in shape lol

I saw that you are in NC and in NC to GA @robert843 tends to organize daily or weekend trips. Just keep on eye on the recent posts on the forum and you could join one or 2 of those trips. Get time to know people and see how the group thing works.

@Betik, I have been reading every bit of info I can find about the trip to Bimini, even bought a few books about the trip. Any info is good. I am working on a rack now to help with carrying another 12g of fuel as my ski holds 16g. In your experience how much fuel have jet skis used for the trip there.?

 

[robert843]

@Betik, I have been reading every bit of info I can find about the trip to Bimini, even bought a few books about the trip. Any info is good. I am working on a rack now to help with carrying another 12g of fuel as my ski holds 16g. In your experience how much fuel have jet skis used for the trip there.?

I would not build a rack find a way to secure your fuel to the back with straps. The racks fail all the time on these trips it turns into another liability out there versus being a help. Even just 5 gallons of fuel should be a good safety blanket.

 

[JeffVans]

@Betik, I have been reading every bit of info I can find about the trip to Bimini, even bought a few books about the trip. Any info is good. I am working on a rack now to help with carrying another 12g of fuel as my ski holds 16g. In your experience how much fuel have jet skis used for the trip there.?

Your best bet is to seek out other ski riders who have made the trip like @Valerie and others. Best of luck!!! I’m trying to convince a friend of mine to bring his ski along next year!
@Betik this is a different friend than I sent the “saga” to who is ready to trade his current boat in to come along. Hahahaha I almost have his money spent!!!

 

[Bruce]

Att.
I will have to go in there and there and talk about other stuff anyways.
Meanwhile, i guess i go work more hours...

We are on AT&T. That $10 a day plan is called International Day Pass. https://www.att.com/offers/international-plans/day-pass.html

 

[Betik]

@Betik, I have been reading every bit of info I can find about the trip to Bimini, even bought a few books about the trip. Any info is good. I am working on a rack now to help with carrying another 12g of fuel as my ski holds 16g. In your experience how much fuel have jet skis used for the trip there.?

I very never crossed on ski so I cannot be much of help. But I know @Valerie made it on a 19 gallons during the 2017 crossing.
I kind of agree with @robert843 . You should be able to secure 5 gallons. @Valerie has secured two 5 gallons jugs with just racket straps. I am fairly positive one the 24 footer will be glad to carry some extra fuel for you. If i were to bring my own boat in 2019, I will can help though I am sure you will have plenty of other boats can help.

 

[Betik]

Your best bet is to seek out other ski riders who have made the trip like @Valerie and others. Best of luck!!! I’m trying to convince a friend of mine to bring his ski along next year!
@Betik this is a different friend than I sent the “saga” to who is ready to trade his current boat in to come along. Hahahaha I almost have his money spent!!!

it looks like you might have your own fleet LOL
One idea I had about your situation.... If these are good friends of yours, it might make more financial sense for you guys to share a boat or 2. It might drop the cost by 30% or more. You only weight concern is for crossing, so you put kids and a gurdian on the ferry and the rest of the adults (no more than 5-6) can cross on your boat ...... just thinking .....