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

[SlowDorado]

It’s a machine gun mount. Duh...!

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Absolutely, matches my zombie flag.

 

[Julian]

@BigAbe75 -- you're right.. I forgot it has it's own "special name" LOL

@Julian - How much extra gas did you have on deck? you said 20% of original fillup? wow thats not bad!

We had three 5 gallon cans with us for backup in case we had to route around storms. You dont want to go through a storm!!!

My opinion is that surf point probably makes very little difference to the mpg...it is such a small angle.

 

[Denis ‘ATAdventure’]

On our way there my 2012 242 L. S. burned around 22 gallons. No bimini sail, 2 adults, 4 small kids, and the heaviest we had was probably diapers?.
2 small coolers, 3 cases of gatorade, 20lb of ice, light on clothes and food (mostly dried food and snacks) 5gal extra fuel, case with cameras, light fishing gear and some toys.
On islands we’ve burned 101 gallons
On our way back we burned 24.6 gallons from Bimini Sands fuel dock to the gas station (on trailer) to top off.

 

[swatski]

On our way there my 2012 242 L. S. burned around 22 gallons. No bimini sail, 2 adults, 4 small kids, and the heaviest we had was probably diapers?.
2 small coolers, 3 cases of gatorade, 20lb of ice, light on clothes and food (mostly dried food and snacks) 5gal extra fuel, case with cameras, light fishing gear and some toys.
On islands we’ve burned 101 gallons
On our way back we burned 24.6 gallons from Bimini Sands fuel dock to the gas station (on trailer) to top off.

That’s crazy good.
But for anyone reading this, I wouldn’t necessarily count on being able to repeat those excellent results, in 2016 and 2017 trips were I partaken the average for 240/242 boats was around 40-45+ gal used, and there were many who ran out. Heck, I burned 30+ in a 190...
Just FYI.

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[Julian]

On our way there my 2012 242 L. S. burned around 22 gallons. No bimini sail, 2 adults, 4 small kids, and the heaviest we had was probably diapers?.
2 small coolers, 3 cases of gatorade, 20lb of ice, light on clothes and food (mostly dried food and snacks) 5gal extra fuel, case with cameras, light fishing gear and some toys.
On islands we’ve burned 101 gallons
On our way back we burned 24.6 gallons from Bimini Sands fuel dock to the gas station (on trailer) to top off.

Yeah...that is amazing mileage! My X will never get it that good, unless I: get rid of the huge bimini and metal frame supports, install a lighter tower, dump the solar panels, the sound bar and speakers and sub and ballast pumps - even after that I suspect my boat has some pump sealant work that is needed (although I can't see anything)......also....I do drive a little faster than I should if its flat!

I think on our rough crossing we came in with 18% remaining (with much less stuff on board), but it took us over 3.5 hours. So yes.....weather makes a difference.

On our return it was super smooth, all except the one spot where a storm had just dissipated - amazing how quickly it churns that water up!

 

[Denis ‘ATAdventure’]

So yes.....weather makes a difference

That’s what I noticed, and also weight is a big factor

 

[AJack]

I was jealous of @Denis ‘ATAdventure’ fuel consumption. I burned 36 gallons, 4 adults, lots of gear and food. I think I used 32 on the way back. @SlowDorado probably had the best (lowest) fuel consumption in the group, I think he was at 18 gallons.

 

[SlowDorado]

I was jealous of @Denis ‘ATAdventure’ fuel consumption. I burned 36 gallons, 4 adults, lots of gear and food. I think I used 32 on the way back. @SlowDorado probably had the best (lowest) fuel consumption in the group, I think he was at 18 gallons.

would if make you feel worse if I tell you it was 18 gallons for the crossing AND tooling around in the water in the morning of day two?
crossing alone was probably 16ish gallons.

 

[afsigma21]

I was 35 there and 30 back. We were booking it going there.

 

[SlowDorado]

At 25mph, I would probably had only used 10-11.
The water was way too flat not to open her up. I was running at 40mph to catch up before we stopped midway

 

[Bluewater272]

Great pictures! @LukePrinsloo and @captainhook should take a look. Ahem.

 

[Betik]

At 25mph, I would probably had only used 10-11.
The water was way too flat not to open her up. I was running at 40mph to catch up before we stopped midway

WTH !!! Is your hull a modified sailboat ?

 

[swatski]

WTH !!! Is your hull a modified sailboat ?

That's the beauty of modern 4 stroker outboard: whisper quiet and super fuel efficient. Especially if one knows how to trim them up.

And of course calm water helps a ton. Damm, this is a second season of crazy smooth crossings for this group! I hope it continues.

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[Betik]

And of course calm water helps a ton. Damm, this is a second season of crazy smooth crossings for this group! I hope it continues.
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it will as long as you and I don't go LOL

 

[amccoy]

I've never gone but I want to do this trip in 2020. If anyone knows of a group like this one forming please let me know.

One concern I have is salt water. My boat and painted trailer look almost new, fresh water only. Do you guys launch from trailers, are they all galvanized? What kind of rinse / flush do you do to the boat while in the water? Any other tips, changing anodes, etc.? I have a 2017 242LS.

Thanks and we appreciate all the info and pictures.

 

[Dean P]

On our way there my 2012 242 L. S. burned around 22 gallons. No bimini sail, 2 adults, 4 small kids, and the heaviest we had was probably diapers?.
2 small coolers, 3 cases of gatorade, 20lb of ice, light on clothes and food (mostly dried food and snacks) 5gal extra fuel, case with cameras, light fishing gear and some toys.
On islands we’ve burned 101 gallons
On our way back we burned 24.6 gallons from Bimini Sands fuel dock to the gas station (on trailer) to top off.

Is that for just one engine or both? Those numbers almost sound too good but then again not much weight in the boat. Awesome!

 

[Denis ‘ATAdventure’]

Weight plays a huge role in MPG

Trust me, i know?

 

[afsigma21]

I've never gone but I want to do this trip in 2020. If anyone knows of a group like this one forming please let me know.

One concern I have is salt water. My boat and painted trailer look almost new, fresh water only. Do you guys launch from trailers, are they all galvanized? What kind of rinse / flush do you do to the boat while in the water? Any other tips, changing anodes, etc.? I have a 2017 242LS.

Thanks and we appreciate all the info and pictures.

ANY of the name brand salt removal products work great.

The occasional dip and proper wash and its like it's never seen salt water.

 

[Betik]

Do you guys launch from trailers, are they all galvanized? What kind of rinse / flush do you do to the boat while in the water?

I used a forklift service and @swatski diped and rises his in 2017. As as I know there is no visible rust on his trailer.

You might want to read the ‘prepare for Bimini thread “

 

[Hilario Perez]

Salt away or Salt Terminator works great to flush and clean.