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I agree that slower is better but then the fear is fuel.
True!
Which is why you should always take reserve fuel with you on these trips. If you need to slow down and run displacement speeds you will burn more fuel, but the answer isn't to say "I can't afford to go slower or I'll run out of fuel", the answer is to have reserves. Also allows you to change course and go around storms, deal with heavier seas etc.
Last time you went to Bimini, how much extra fuel did you take? How much extra if you took your SX?
I took 15 gallons with me each direction. If you don't end up needing it you just spend less on gas in bimini. Not a big deal.
LOL I did go bigger I have an AR240 but I'm taking my Seahunt Gamefish 30 on this run. I have done the Bahamas on the AR240 and it does OK but you have to pick your days I wouldn't cross in tomorrows forecast in my AR240 but have no issues doing it in my Gamefish 30. Big seas suck no matter what boat your in but the bigger the boat the more days you can get out there when its ugly.
so I lied I did go out of haulover yesterday lol government cut had a massive thunderstorm over it. The inlet wasn’t bad since it was high tide but outside the inlet wasn’t a lot of fun
3 five gallon cans (15 gallons total) for both boats....their fuel burn is similar.
it sucked out my crew who has been doing these trips for 5 years was begging me to turn around about 15 minutes in I slowed down to around 20 mph and kept going they were fine at that pace. I’m leaving at 6:30am to head down to Staniel cay hopping for good weather I got a lot of ground to cover.
We heard they made it back Saturday afternoon and that it was a "wild ride". Stormed in Bimini Friday night and power was out, then limited cell coverage Sat AM. With @robert843 having to run 20 mph in a 30 ft CC, I can imagine how the ride was in a 24 ft Yamaha. I hated to leave, more or less leave early, but I'm glad we left Thursday!
Pleasure craft are still allowed with the current Covid-19 yest protocol.
We came back from Bimini on Saturday (18th) in 4-7ft in our AR240. We didn't take any water over the bow except for occasional spray. The boat did fine. Extremely tough conditions long slow trip. Initially coming out of Bimini we had the wind at our back but about half way a thunderstorm formed between us and Ft Lauderdale. we slowed up and waited for it to dissipate and the winds changed and conditions got worse. burned nearly 40% over 20 miles. We had spare tanks but didn't have to use them. In the end the boat did fine, actually surprised how well it did.