Bimini 2015 - July 6th to 11th

[Andy S]

We are in for finding and swimming with dolphins or sharks.

Where the rays are at the lighthouse cay is honeymoon habour and that is where we are having a pot luck on Tuesday.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/bimini-2015-potluck-pigroast.4412/

 

[tim h]

We would be all in on the dolphin/shark experience. We have seen a few sharks while scuba diving, not many. No dolphins...

I 2nd that !

 

[ArmyChief]

Can someone put all these trips together?
Would love to have this for captains meeting

 

[tim h]

Can someone put all these trips together?
Would love to have this for captains meeting

It sounds like we have a volunteer @ArmyChief ???

 

[robert843]

How many boats/skis are seriously interested in the 1 day run to Chub Cay. Pending good sea conditions, I'm definitely interested although I don't like the thought of losing an entire day in Bimini. However, it would add a lot to the adventure.

I would be up for it but the conditions would have to be stellar for me to commit to a single day rount trip. Kind of like you mentioned it would almost be a wasted day over there but would just do it say I have done it.

 

[ArmyChief]

It sounds like we have a volunteer @ArmyChief ???

Hey guys...I would love too. However, my job and Military duty has me working until July 3rd. I have no time

 

[Bruce]

arrange an awesome swim with Dolphins

Any coordinates on where to look for Dolphins would be awesome! We may take the dolphin boat. Advice from locals is greatly appreciated.

 

[MrMoose]

Here is a map of Bimini Sands with condo locations and MMSI #'s as we currently know it. The Word document is also attached so you can print your own copy.

View attachment 24170

I got moved to condo 10F.

 

[MrMoose]

For our group all you have to do is show up for the captains meeting at the Bahia Mar on Sunday night July 5th.

Other thing you will need to do:
Book a room at the Bahia Mar for at least Sunday, July 5th, so of us will also be there on the 4th.
Book a slip at the Bahia Mar Marina.
Reserve a condo at Bimini Sands or any location in Bimini.
File a float plan with US Customs.

If you are interested I have a few Bimini shirts leftover, https://jetboaters.net/threads/2015-bimini-shirts.4413/page-6#post-101194

Here are a few more threads to review.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/bimini-vhf-mmsi.5266/page-3#post-109039
https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/
https://jetboaters.net/threads/bimini-2015-potluck-pigroast.4412/

Does everybody have to file a float plan or just those who are registered to fly through customs?

 

[ArmyChief]

Only if you are registered with SVRS. However, a float plan is not just a customs thing.

A float plan is also you advising a friend/loved one of your trip. So, if they don't hear from you by a pre-arranged time. They can start trying to get a hold of you and possibly get search & rescue involved.

 

[JROD]

Any coordinates on where to look for Dolphins would be awesome! We may take the dolphin boat. Advice from locals is greatly appreciated.

Our dates have been selected!

This thread has been updated for the Bimini 2015 trip. It is important to notify me of your commitment to participate so that I can keep an accurate headcount. Please provide a contact cellular phone number, number of people on your boat, boat model/make. This personal information will only be shared by the few organizers of the event.

The dates have been changed to July to allow for a 15% discount/group rate that @Bruce arranged for our group at Bimini Sands. We need 15 rooms/condos for the group rate.

DATES
Captain's Meeting - Evening of July 5th at the BahiaMar or nearby.
Departure for Bimini - 6am July 6th from the BahiaMar.
Departure for Ft. Lauderdale - 6am July 11th.

BAHIA MAR HOTEL IN FT. LAUDERDALE
Make your reservation for the BahiaMar hotel at 1-954-764-2233. Sorry, group rate policy was too strict make a group reservation at this hotel.

Make your reservation for your slip at the BahiaMar by calling or filling out the below form. There IS a group rate for the slips at $1.25/ft, no minimum. Their phone number is 954.627.6309. They are located at the BahiaMar hotel, but are a separate business. The group name is "Jet Boaters."

BIMINI SANDS CONDOS
The group name here is also "Jet Boaters." Make your reservation at the Bimini Sands by filling out the attached form and/or contacting them at 242.347.3500 (international call). If you are requesting a specific room, please call 242.347.3500. For general reservations you can call their toll free number at 800.737.1007. If you are emailing your reservation, please email the form to jonisha@southbiminisands.com or lavon@southbiminisands.com. Below you will find their discounted rates and their reservation form. The discount applies to your slip as well.

CUSTOMS
Please remember to fill out the customs form (also attached). We also hope to have the immigration forms available at the captain's meeting. The custom's form needs to be completed by the master of the vessel. This form should be downloaded and filled out prior to departure. Each person/family needs to fill out the immigration form but cannot be downloaded. More info on customs/immigration can be found at Bahamas.com/boating or http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

PIGROAST
Last year we had a fabulous potluck/pigroast at honeymoon harbor. Everyone backed their boat up to the beach and put their spread on the swim decks. It was an awesome time and even included a couple of engagements!

@Bruce has already volunteered to supply the razorback ham!

Throw in with your menu, I'm already getting hungry!

https://jetboaters.net/threads/bimini-2015-potluck-pigroast.4412/

T-SHIRTS
Last year @andy07sx230ho put together some awesome t-shirts!

More info here
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2015-bimini-shirts.4413/

BIMINI INFO
Lots of helpful info about preparation and the destination is posted in the thread Preparing For Bimini https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/

THANKS
Thanks to @Bruce, @andy07sx230ho , and @justason for their help organizing all of this for our group!

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
@upperdeck Unit 12A, from Milwaukee WI, 212X, 4 adults, 4 kids
@andy07sx230ho, 7Q, from Chapin, SC, SX230, 4 adults
@Bruce, 21M, from Royal AR, SX230, 2 adults, 8 year old daughter, 5 year old son
@tim h 4Q, big ass boat, FL, 2 adults, 2 kids
@veedubtek and @DieselCamel, 1A, Winston Salem, NC, 4 adults
@chris24, 15B, from Tampa FL, 212SS, two people, maybe more.
@kthrash 8E and 8F, from Madison MS, 212X, 4 adults, 4 kids
@robert843, 7B, From Myrtle Beach, SC info to follow
@Justin G., 3D, From Hinckley, IL, 4 adults, 1 child
@waterboy 15J, from Holly Springs, NC, 2 adults
@zedxmike, 12B, from Orlando, FL, 2 adults
@1948Isaac from Cape Coral, FL
@BigJay17 from Orlano, Fl, 2 adults, 3 kids
@Tony Sweasy, Enterprise, AL, 3 adults
@Kristen, info to come
@DiverB, Harrison TWP, Michigan, 1 adult
@ScarabMike, Fleming Island, FL
@ArmyChief, 21R, AR192, North Port, FL, 1 couples, 1 teens
@David Hoff, 16B & 16C, AR210, Atlanta, GA, 2 adults, 2 kids
@Ramblin Wreck, 4K, Ski, Atlanta, GA, 2 adults, 1 child.
@MrMoose, 10F, AR240, Spring, TX, 3 persons
@JROD , 12C, two adults, one ski

PICTURES FROM BIMINI 2014
@waterboy's pictures are in the gallery at https://jetboaters.net/media/albums/bimini-2014.134/
@Bruce and @Tylers pictures are in the gallery at https://jetboaters.net/media/albums/bimini-2014.120/

#Bimini2015

We have a Preparing For Bimini thread with useful information at https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/ (Added by Bruce)

All may already know, Bahamas independence day is on 10th July. Don't miss the most awesome party and fire works at Mackey's Sand Bar, last year they had a band. At times it gets crazy in there. ;-)

 

[ArmyChief]

Awesome...party..lets go!

 

[MrMoose]

I'm up for most anything...just don't know where and how far these places are. So, guess we'll make that decision over there

Pardon the pun @ArmyChief ... I'm in the same boat as you... we'll see what the weather is like and hopefully tag along when invited.

 

[ArmyChief]

Hopefully those posting this info, apparently have been there more than me. Can provide said info with approximate distance, and attraction there. We can discuss briefly at captains table. Then...using VHF/text/smoke signals...we can hook up while out there

 

[MrMoose]

Only if you are registered with SVRS. However, a float plan is not just a customs thing.

A float plan is also you advising a friend/loved one of your trip. So, if they don't hear from you by a pre-arranged time. They can start trying to get a hold of you and possibly get search & rescue involved.

Thanks @ArmyChief . By the way, I seem to remember @Bruce saying that he's staying in Bimini longer, so he won't be coming back with us? Does anybody else in the group have a real vhf radio with a good antenna for max range? I only have a handheld, and if I run into trouble, I'd hope that someone in our group could relay a help request with their real vhf radio.

 

[ArmyChief]

I'm sure they do. I do

I planned on bringing communications up at the Captains meeting. As it is my field in the Military.

Boats should be evaluated not only on their size and anticipated cruise speed, but their onboard comms. Staggering fixed high power VHF between handhelds should be considered.

 

[Andy S]

Does everybody have to file a float plan or just those who are registered to fly through customs?

As @ArmyChief mentioned no float plan is required but upon your arrival you are required to report to Customs and Border Patrol.

Excerpt from the Customs webpage:
Pursuant to 19 CFR 4.2, operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to include any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the territorial sea, are required to report their arrival to CBP immediately (see 19 U.S.C. 1433).

The master of the vessel reports their arrival at the nearest Customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. These reports are tracked in the Pleasure Boat Reporting System. Pursuant to 8 CFR 235.1, an application to lawfully enter the United States must be made in person to a CBP officer at a U.S. port-of-entry when the port is open for inspection.

 

[Andy S]

Here is an update Bimini Sands layout, @MrMoose room number had changed.

 

[waterboy]

Any coordinates on where to look for Dolphins would be awesome!

All, I have been researching the Dolphins. The quick story is that many people say to go to the N/NW end of North Bimini in mid to late afternoon and they show up every day out in that area in 25-50 ft of water. I have not seen coordinates but it isn;t that big of an area. Let's find these suckers and if my intel works out, we'll all get to see some dolphins!!!

 

[Bruce]

@waterboy, I am hearing the same. Last year some locals told us NE of North Bimini. We looked but did not find them.

Perhaps we could go searching in a group.

@MrMoose, lots of boats will have fixed VHF.