Bimini 2014-June 22

[upperdeck]

Just a heads up for those planning on purchasing a towing policy... To have full coverage under all towing circumstances, BoatUS for instance, requires that the policy be in place 30 days prior to use.

 

[Andy S]

For those that are going to be in Fort Lauderdale a couple of days before we depart (even if you have a couple of free hours on Saturday, June 21st) you might want to register with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/. Besides filling out a form online the Captain of the boat and any other passengers you want to register will have to do a onetime face-to-face interview at the Customs office, 1800 Eller Drive Suite 104, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 954-761-2000 (same place you go after returning if you don't register). Why do this, big reason is that the face-to-face will be the only time you have to go to the customs office, this year there will be 10 or so boats and crew going to the Customs office. After you return to the states all you have to do is call a toll free number and report your return. Any future trips out of the country on your boat all you have to do if file an online float plan and call once your return. However, if you ever take none CBP registered passengers then they will have to go to customs but you don't unless you are their transportation.

 

[Andy S]

Also, ensure you bring your boats state registration card the Bahamas customs will want to see it.

 

[tim h]

Well...
I FILLED up the boat ($$$$$$$$) and took it for a 60 mile run tonight.
I'll have to wait until next dang payday to see how much gas I burned though =(
It took 176 gallons to fill her up !
Now just need to figure out the electronics.

 

[BoaterGuy]

Trying to determine which cover I want to use to trailer. Should I use the deluxe mooring cover or the shipping cover? Is anyone bringing their cover to the island with them?

 

[upperdeck]

I've never brought a cover with me across. With all the salt spray, I welcomed an occasional rain to rinse off the boat for me!

 

[Andy S]

I also never have brought over a cover and like @upperdeck I like a rain shower every couple of days to wash off the salt spray. However, I do keep my bimini top up all the time. If you do bring a cover I would bring the mooring cover because it breathes a little whereas the shipping cover does not breath at all.

 

[Bruce]

This is our first Bimini trip but on Gulf Coast outings I have conditioned the seats with a UV protectant before launch then again after the trip. I left her in a slip for almost two weeks last year without any harm. I agree that any rain fall will be helpful in washing the salt and sand out.

 

[BoaterGuy]

Ok so no cover with me to the island, how about for towing down? Last year I towed 8 hours with my mooring cover without issue. Im leaning towards it again... however I'd rather trash my shipping cover before my mooring cover for obvious reasons.

 

[upperdeck]

I always use the mooring cover, but I don't have the shipping cover option.

 

[justason]

Just a heads up for those planning on purchasing a towing policy... To have full coverage under all towing circumstances, BoatUS for instance, requires that the policy be in place 30 days prior to use.

I called BoatUS this morning to finially move on this: This is what I understand. Submitting here for a second opinion.

General insurance: The Hull/Liability insurance premium was $195 or $299 based on a delta of medical coverage as well as cash/depreciation replacement cost.
THERE IS A $100 RYDER/ADD FOR BIMINI COVERAGE.

Tow comes in 2 flavors: limited@$140 and gold@$181
Both cover 100% towing : as long as the tow boat port cover the distance (ft lauderdale has 2 services at 100 and 130 miles of coverage. thus towing is covered 100%
http://www.boatus.com/ServiceLocato..._type=T&s=ft+lauderdale+florida&c=0&state=&Z=

The difference between limited and gold is in the event the tower has to hand you off to another tow service the payment caps are at $2500 and $3000 respectively. An example of this is if the towboat comes from miami, and you need a second tow from miami to ft lauderdale. I don't see this as important, it's only a $40 difference.

My general insurance coverage is up for renewal as well. If I get general and towing the same day, towing premium is dropped by 50%.

in regards to towing is this your understanding?

 

[justason]

Ok so no cover with me to the island, how about for towing down? Last year I towed 8 hours with my mooring cover without issue. Im leaning towards it again... however I'd rather trash my shipping cover before my mooring cover for obvious reasons.

I will not tow with my mooring cover again. I plan to buy a cheapo walmart cover for the tow...a dust cover more than anything else.

 

[Bruce]

Am I reading correctly that your premium would be

$299 for liability, medical and replacement cost coverage
$100 for Bimini rider
$70 for limited towing and 50% discount

For a total of $469?

 

[upperdeck]

Gold covers towing from a slip that is not transient. In other words, from your slip in Bimini. Standard does not. Standard covers from a transient slip like a gas dock, or emergency anchorage, etc.

 

[justason]

http://www.boatus.com/towing/agree.asp

here's the legalese of it @Bruce I keep hearing and seeing this 25 mile statement that I cant qualify in the first paragraph:

Thirty days following initiation of, or upgrade to, Unlimited Gold Service Level, Paid Service includes payment of the cost to tow Member’s boat from any dock or mooring to the Members port of choice not to exceed a total towing distance of 25 miles. All other service levels ($50, $150 and Unlimited) include payment up to 50% of the cost to tow the Member’s disabled boat from an unrestricted use dock or mooring, i.e. home docks or marinas, for the purpose of repairs, thirty days following Membership initiation or upgrade in service level.

your statement on math is accurate, the $70 for towing is with the 50% discount. My current state farm policy for $334 covers Bimini and everything BoatUS does so I'm leaning towards the tow only out comfort with state farm

 

[DieselCamel]

looking to buy some flares to get legal for the trip anyone have a recommendation?

 

[Andy S]

looking to buy some flares to get legal for the trip anyone have a recommendation?

I got the ones fired from a pistol, figured I could use them as protection if I had to.

 

[PreciousMetals]

As we are in the "short rows" now, I need new tires for my trailer. How have you guys changed yours in the past? Just can't quite get it right in my head with jacking the boat and trailer up and removing the wheels, taking the whole thing to the tire shop, putting the boat in the water and taking the trailer to the shop....

Any suggestions? Not really fond of any of them, but this has to be done before the trip.

 

[upperdeck]

I put my trailer/boat on jack stands and brought in all four tires/rims at once. Go with radials.

 

[PreciousMetals]

May I ask where you lift and where you place your stands. Trailer manufacturer states I could jack from the frame or the axles with no issues, and place the stands in the same places.