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

[Wisefam22]

Would like to confirm going with your group - First time crossing, crew of 6 on 3 jet skis - staying at Hilton - 1 - Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO, 1 - Yamaha VX Deluxe, 1 - Yamaha V1 Sport. July 8th - 13th

Please take caution and be prepared to turn around riding double on jetski over... are the passengers of the skis planning on taking passenger ferry over, would be much safer even though more expensive.

 

[Wisefam22]

@Bruce @robert843 @Ramblin Wreck and thoughts/inside on double crossing on a jetski?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@Bruce @robert843 @Ramblin Wreck and thoughts/inside on double crossing on a jetski?

You considering riding with 2 on a ski? For me personally, there is no way I would consider it. It will pretty much force you to sit the entire crossing which will physically kick both butts. You will be extremely sore all over while there. If following boats it will make it much harder to keep up. The only way I would ever consider it if I could go at my on pace realizing it’s going to be a long slow ride over. I highly doubt either person would be happy with the decision once there. In short, I’d fly the passenger over and then solo the ski over.

Best advice on crossing with a ski is limit your time sitting. Stand up with a slight bend in your knees (not squatting where your thighs are shot in ten minutes) so your calves and knees take all the pounding. You’ll still be sore but nothing like you’ll feel sitting down. I’m on the taller side so adjustable handle bars and cruise are the 2 best features I can’t do without.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@Bruce @robert843 @Ramblin Wreck and thoughts/inside on double crossing on a jetski?

If by chance you mean just 2 skis crossing, yes I would definitely do it. Certain precautions need to be taken but no doubt I’d be willing.

 

[BTaylor]

We are prepared to turn back if the seas are rough.

 

[Julian]

How’s Verizon cell coverage there?

Non-existent.

As for skis with 2 riders - don't do it. It is dangerous enough with one rider. Planning on 2 riders on a ski is planning for disaster.

 

[afsigma21]

@BTaylor IDK if this is the group to cross with. Lots of first timers who really cannot give you any insight from experience. I am not saying NO but you are basically on your own following a group. I am not being rude at all, I just want you to know the situation.

Also, are you confirmed at Bahia Mar?

 

[Big Papa]

Would like to confirm going with your group, First time crossing,crew of 3, staying at Bahia Mar Jul 7th & Hilton at Resort World friends of JCTaylor.

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce @robert843 @Ramblin Wreck and thoughts/inside on double crossing on a jetski?

A good way to turn brains into scrambled eggs.

 

[afsigma21]

Would like to confirm going with your group, First time crossing,crew of 3, staying at Bahia Mar Jul 7th & Hilton at Resort World friends of JCTaylor.

Added you to the first page

 

[AJack]

Well, one good thing is that we're almost at 10 boats for the Bahia Mar slips! I would be be a little cautious with the amount of us noobs going. Akin to the teacher-student ratio, how many students can a teacher properly teach? I would make it absolutely clear to all traveling in the group that zero liability can be laid onto another member, especially those with actual experience. I'm putting a lot of cash into my boat to make it ready for the crossing, so that I can take care of my crew in the event something happens, hope everyone else takes caution. A little saying that I gave when I was a Platoon Leader leaving the wire each day, "complacency kills".

 

[afsigma21]

My thoughts exactly, as stated in the original post:

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.

 

[Jack Long]

Watch out for the seaweed!

If you have not done so already, everyone needs to watch the video @Betik had from last year!

Everyone needs to know their boat inside and out and what to do in case of.

You will also see how stressful things can become in a hurry. And he was in good water.

Finally, I will be crossing at 6am on 7-12, weather permitting, staying in Bimini Friday night on our way to Exumas. So if anyone in the group needs anything, please feel free to reach out to me.

 

[AJack]

I'm returning on 12 July, does your route back to Ft Lauderdale go by Bimini?

Watch out for the seaweed!

If you have not done so already, everyone needs to watch the video @Betik had from last year!

Everyone needs to know their boat inside and out and what to do in case of.

You will also see how stressful things can become in a hurry. And he was in good water.

Finally, I will be crossing at 6am on 7-12, weather permitting, staying in Bimini Friday night on our way to Exumas. So if anyone in the group needs anything, please feel free to reach out to me.

 

[Jack Long]

Yes, I leave Ft. Lauderdale on July 12 and head to Bimini for the night, then to the Exumas.

 

[afsigma21]

I see we have picked up some non-jet boats for our crossing, all are welcome. However, there was a lot of experiences put in to fuel calculations for the Yamaha boats, everyone knows their range. For the other boats and possibly Jet Skis, please know your fuel needs and have the necessary fuel plus some.

I am just thinking out loud on this.

 

[SlowDorado]

I see we have picked up some non-jet boats for our crossing, all are welcome. However, there was a lot of experiences put in to fuel calculations for the Yamaha boats, everyone knows their range. For the other boats and possibly Jet Skis, please know your fuel needs and have the necessary fuel plus some.

I am just thinking out loud on this.

already considered. at cruise speed my fuel burn is 5gph. sipper compared to the jets

 

[robert843]

@Bruce @robert843 @Ramblin Wreck and thoughts/inside on double crossing on a jetski?

@BTaylor after doing a couple crossing on the ski I would tell you not to plan on crossing with a passenger and I personally would never cross with a passenger. Go ahead and plan on them taking the ferry or plane over and back and then if its really important to them to try and ride across with you if the weather forecast winds up being perfect for one of the crossing days you can then make the call if you want to swallow the money on the tickets you bought and let them ride. I will be honest from my experience their is no way I would even bring my spouse if I was on a ski unless she had her own ski or was able to ride around on someones boat in Bimini for the week. My first crossing someone road my wife's ski across she went on one of the boats. She used her ski the first day then never touched it again the rest of the week she just stayed on our friends boat as the ski for a week is tough and cruising around Bimini two up on a ski for a week is likely not going to be a great experience with no shade and the pounding you will take sitting all the time you will both be hurting pretty good by day 2 or 3.

 

[leonard delia]

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
***********************************
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 5 (Sea Goooals)

Confirmed for Trip with details:
@jaburt - 2017 Vetern. 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.
@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
@Big Papa crew of 3, confirmed at Bahia Mar Jul 7th & Hilton at Resort World
Leonard D'Elia crew of 3 looking at Bimini Sands 2018 yamaha 242 limited S

@BTaylor Crew of 6 on 3 jet skis - confirmed at Hilton - 1 - Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO, 1 - Yamaha VX Deluxe, 1 - Yamaha V1 Sport. July 8th - 13th


Question Marks:
@Yamaha212limiteds – Crew of 5 with 212 Ltd S, waiting on Resv confirmation.
@chris34 – Originally messaged me he was confirmed, need confirmation of dates/ Stays

@LayneG is a maybe


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[leonard delia]

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
***********************************
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 5 (Sea Goooals)

Confirmed for Trip with details:
@jaburt - 2017 Vetern. 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.
@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
@Big Papa crew of 3, confirmed at Bahia Mar Jul 7th & Hilton at Resort World

@BTaylor Crew of 6 on 3 jet skis - confirmed at Hilton - 1 - Yamaha FX Cruiser SHO, 1 - Yamaha VX Deluxe, 1 - Yamaha V1 Sport. July 8th - 13th


Question Marks:
@Yamaha212limiteds – Crew of 5 with 212 Ltd S, waiting on Resv confirmation.
@chris34 – Originally messaged me he was confirmed, need confirmation of dates/ Stays

@LayneG is a maybe

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