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Bimini 2019 July 7th (Bahia Mar) depart July 8th for Bimini return July 13th

afsigma21

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Hello all -

July 6 or 7th through July 12 or 13th of 2019

I will be a first time crosser this year and these are the BEST dates for my family to go. I can use the 4th Holiday to get to Florida and save a little vacation time. I have read almost every Bimini thread and we've been planning on doing this since last summer. We are going one way or another!!

I am really not the person who should be leading the group across the Ocean as it will be my first crossing, but I am quite capable of doing other planning etc.

I am hoping some experienced crossers want to join based on these dates. I am open to suggestions on where to stay and such. I was looking at Big Game Club as my preferred alternate. Also with a smaller group maybe we don't have to add in a night a Bahia Mar, but I am open to that if its best.

I really just want to get the discussion started for these dates. I am flexible for departure to Bimini on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. I would prefer to cross back on Saturday but I am also flexible there too.

About me: I am an experienced inland boater, I have owned a boat since I was 11 years old (Dad's boat) and I bought my Yamaha 212 Ltd S new in July 2017. I have many years experience in a 19' open bow I/O on Lake Michigan. My boat and crew will be equipped and prepared for a solo crossing, but it is not my preference. My first mate is my 20 year old son who has been boating since diapers. Crew of 4 total.

Lets do it!


Edits
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Important highlights:


Please read this thoroughly:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/#coast

This is my first time crossing to Bimini, however I am an experienced boater and have lots of group organization experience as well. This trip starts with a 57 mile crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Bahamas. We start with a 6:30 AM departure from the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel.

This is a smaller crossing group than in past years so please keep in mind that as the Captain you are responsible for your boat and crew. ALL boats should have VHF radio. When all is said and done, if you aren’t prepared for a solo crossing, then you aren’t prepared to cross with this group.

All boats need to carry sufficient fuel to reach Bimini with a reasonable reserve. For most of our boats that is simply a full tank but for 192/195s that is perhaps an extra 25 gallons.

All boats should maintain sufficient speed to keep up with the group. At minimum that speed will be planing speed. In decent water our speed will be around 30 MPH at which our boats are most efficient. In rougher water we will (try) maintain MINIMUM 25MPH.

Sunday 6:00 PM Captains meeting(s) at Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel.

Monday 6:30 AM Departure from the Bahia Mar Yachting Center for Bimini Bahamas.

Saturday ~ 6:00 AM Departure for Fort Lauderdale (Meeting place to be determined later)

It is your decision if you want to take your boat out of Port Everglades and attempt the crossing. I am sure that we will all be monitoring the weather and wave forecasts, keep in mind, the forecast may be wrong. If you do venture out of Port Everglades it is your responsibility to get your crew safely to Bimini or return them to Port Everglades. If you experience difficulties other boats will attempt to help but in conditions such as those experienced in 2015 there is very little that another boat of our size and type can do. If you do take on water please keep your crew on your boat. Once in the water your crew will be moving at an average of 4 mph in the Gulf Stream. It is much safer to stay in the boat and wait for rescue. You need to monitor your fuel consumption. If fuel consumption becomes an issue you need to travel at a more efficient speed.

Stopping - we will do our best to handle any issues that occur within our group. From previous threads I expect a stop part of the way into the trip to clean out seaweed. If a boat needs to stop the others in the group will either circle or stop depending on the conditions. As stated before there is very little that another boat of our size and type can do.

During the crossing we will use VHF marine radios to communicate between boats. In the United States it is not legal to use VHF radios on land. Once in the Bahamas they will be used for communication on shore as well. On shore they are basically a party line to organize outings, find friends, etc.

As users report confirmed details they will be added-

Confirmed:
Trip Leader:
@afsigma21 - Confirmed at Bahia Mar, 7/8 to 7/13 Confirmed cottage and slip at Bimini Big Game Club 2017 212 Ltd S crew of 3 (Sea Goooals)

Confirmed for Trip with details:
@jaburt - 2017 Veteran. confirmed 07/08-13, house in canal, SB 2016 242 242X E
@Blue Hawaiian - 1st time, confirmed 07/08-13, Resort World condo with slip, NB 2018 AR195. Crew of 4 (Lu Lammon),
@AJack - Confirmed 07/08 -12, Resort World condo with slip, NB; 2018 SX24
@SlowDorado -1st time, confirmed 07/08 - 11 21' Scout
@jctaylor crew of 3, confirmed at Hilton at Resort World. 2019 Sea Hunt Ultra 211

@leonard delia Crew of 3 confirmed Resort World Condo & Bahia Mar Alice Town Yamaha 242 limited S
Jose Martinez (No way jose ) Crew of 6 Confirmed Resort World Condo & Bahia Mar Sundeck 26'
@LayneG confirmed Crew of 2, Confirmed Resort World Condo & Bahia Mar AR 240
@Denis ‘ATAdventure’ confirmed Bimini Sands crew of 6, 24'


ALL are welcome



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afsigma21

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Updating title. July 6 or 7th through July 12 or 13th of 2019 :)
 

robert843

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Not sure if you have flexibility or if @Dave Biel does but looks like he is trying to go in June as well maybe you guys could join these trips.
 

robert843

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Not sure if you have flexibility or if @Dave Biel does but looks like he is trying to go in June as well maybe you guys could join these trips.
Never mind I see you were planning July. @Julian were these the July dates you were looking at going possibly as well?
 

afsigma21

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I really have to try to get it after the 4th due to work schedules. Based on what I have read there should be enough interest for MANY 10 boat trips. I hope.
 

Julian

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Those are the dates I am planning on. Not the week of 4th of July as it will be packed there and bookings will be hard to come by. Just waiting to see what happens with Bimini Sands. Not keen on Resort World as its a long way up to them, and their dock fees are almost more expensive than their lodging....but I am a Hilton member!

I'm hoping Bimini Sands will get their crap together, or I'll look at a house in South Bimini with a dock.
 

DIRTYOAR

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July 12th works for us
 

afsigma21

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That would be the return date
 

chris34

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Those Dates work perfect for me. Cross over July 6 or 7th through July 12 or 13th return. This will be my second trip to the Bahamas , first to Bimini. I have a few years of salt water experience so don't mind leading the way. This will be a family trip and my two kids cannot wait!! Any other boaters interested in joining feel free to contact me. 3 to 4 boats would be great.
 

afsigma21

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With a smaller # of boats, Bimini Big Game club looks like a decent alternative.
 

robert843

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With a smaller # of boats, Bimini Big Game club looks like a decent alternative.
They could be but I would possibly just look at renting from owners at the sands if it was a small group.
 

afsigma21

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Based on Bruce stating "They did not make payroll and most of the units have the water turned off" I am not hopeful!
 

chris34

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Those are the dates I am planning on. Not the week of 4th of July as it will be packed there and bookings will be hard to come by. Just waiting to see what happens with Bimini Sands. Not keen on Resort World as its a long way up to them, and their dock fees are almost more expensive than their lodging....but I am a Hilton member!

I'm hoping Bimini Sands will get their crap together, or I'll look at a house in South Bimini with a dock.
Count me in for those dates for sure!
 

Robert Benedict

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I’m interested. Please update the final dates and where to stay. Any additional information would help. First time to Bimini. Thanks
 

afsigma21

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I’m interested. Please update the final dates and where to stay. Any additional information would help. First time to Bimini. Thanks
Definitely need to read the preparing thread. With a smaller group, less likely for assistance from the group. Right now we are kinda taking roll call on interest so we know how many boats we need to make space for. Me personally I am looking at Bimini Big Game club, they offer almost everything Bimini Sands used to offer.
 

Betik

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Definitely need to read the preparing thread. With a smaller group, less likely for assistance from the group. Right now we are kinda taking roll call on interest so we know how many boats we need to make space for. Me personally I am looking at Bimini Big Game club, they offer almost everything Bimini Sands used to offer.
I did not know they had floating docks, but that is good to know.
 
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