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

[AJack]

This is the quote, which is high. I'll call back and tell them that I am staying at the hotel - thanks! I am also looking into slipping at the Las Olas Marina (couple blocks north of the hotel), which is a city operated marina.

@AJack thats not what i quoted from web, email with phone conversation with Bahia Mar marina ( you may speak to Terry Newby ). i first told marina need a room with slip for boat but slip wont be needed at first day, trailer and tow vehicle do, I reserved a room from 07/06- 08, my car with boat and trailer attached is 17.00 ( trailer $10 + car $7 , they charge very high without slip rental ), launch boat and park at slip $60 ( $1.5 /per f x 40' minimum) plus power and tax.

before this crossing, jetboaters has group big and bigger launched and parked in Habour Towne every year , we have only about 4 confirmed which may growing up later, it should have enough space, but i also have airport parking as alternate in case of lot full.

 

[AJack]

I think my plan is to drop family off at hotel 7 July. Immediately, drive to Harbor Towne and launch boat, park truck and trailer, then no wake it back to the Bahia Mar marina (or Las Olas Marina). Hang out with family for the remainder of the night.

Stealing @AJack idea of launching the morning of.... it doesn't look like any of the hotels around the area have decent truck and trailer parking. then again Im basing this off of google map images. most hotel lots are side by side parking and will require disconnecting the trailer. even if I go through the trouble, with 26 feet of trailer sticking out im running the risk of someone hitting the tongue.

 

[calno mangum]

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!

Im in Florida myself and would be interested, Have an XR1800

 

[SlowDorado]

This is the quote, which is high. I'll call back and tell them that I am staying at the hotel - thanks! I am also looking into slipping at the Las Olas Marina (couple blocks north of the hotel), which is a city operated marina.

View attachment 90177

i wonder if they'll allow us to split the slip. it'll be 45 feet for the 2 of us combined

 

[Bruce]

It would require a very early start but the Holiday Inn Express near the toll plaza in Fort Pierce has a huge parking lot with excellent trailer parking. We have had five or six trucks and trailers parked there overnight with room to spare.

But it is 1.5 hours north of Harbour Towne. You would need to leave the hotel 3 hours before you expected to depart Port Everglades.

 

[Bruce]

Im in Florida myself and would be interested, Have an XR1800

That would only work on the smootest days. Plan on taking 75 gallons of fuel for the crossing and that even if the water is smooth enough to get to Bimini it may not be when it is time for the return crossing.

A LX210 which is slightly larger with similar engines and hull crossed in 2014. The young, crazy crew had a great time. They made it about half way home and were towed the rest of the way by SeaTow. They had insurance otherwise the tow would have been more than the value of the boat.

 

[DieselCamel]

I would have a back up parking in place as Harbour Towne does fill up some times. That way you’re not scrambling to find something last minute which may delay your start. As last year we got lucky someone pulled out just as we were launching.

 

[Julian]

44 was my peak on the way to Bimini but that was only for a few minutes in 2014. I believe I averaged low 40s on a single boat return in 2015.

Return....yes....outbound at 40+ seriously risks an out of gas situation for many boats....especially if they don't clear sargassum frequently.

Stealing @AJack idea of launching the morning of.... it doesn't look like any of the hotels around the area have decent truck and trailer parking. then again Im basing this off of google map images. most hotel lots are side by side parking and will require disconnecting the trailer. even if I go through the trouble, with 26 feet of trailer sticking out im running the risk of someone hitting the tongue.

I've been scoping out the Homewood Suites Ft Lauderdale Airport....lots of parking there.

 

[Bruce]

I would have a back up parking in place

These groups are small enough to be able to get in but the possible Saturday or Sunday departure will mean that Harbour Towne will be busy and waiting is likely.

I have always considered sneaking into the nearby casino parking lot as a plan C or D. I have contacted the casino to try to rent parking space without luck.

Alsdorf Park in Pompano has nice launch ramps and parking. It is a better facility than Harbour Towne but has a maximum five day stay (you would need someone to feed the meter). View Ramp

 

[afsigma21]

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.

OK, back from almost a month long travel for work and pleasure and now trying to get this on track!!

@chris34 has crossed before and I have never.

Crossing dates are TO Bimini on July 7th 6AM or so.... Starting point should be discussed because of the smaller group. I am thinking just leave from harbortowne if its less than 10 of us.

Return date I was thinking Saturday July 13th early morning.

Personally I am planning on staying at Bimini Big Game club.
I would like anyone who plans to go these dates to message me so I can compile a more firm list and see where we are at and go from there.

I just took a 3 day cruise to Nassua and CoCo Cay, on the last night I could see Bimini from the ship and boy did it make me itch

Lets refocus on the people who plan to go these dates and we will get this organized.

 

[Bruce]

Crossing dates are TO Bimini on July 7th 6AM or so.... Starting point should be discussed because of the smaller group. I am thinking just leave from harbortowne if its less than 10 of us.

Parking ten trucks and trailers at Harbour Towne at 06:00 on a Sunday morning is likely to be an issue. Friday and Saturday are big days for launching. Many come back during the day on Sunday. Our typical Monday departure allows us to fill into the spots at Harbour Towne as boats return on the Sunday.

Let me know what your numbers are as the group firms up and I will check on airport parking.

 

[AJack]

I went with the itinerary of 8 July departure at 0600hrs, with a return of 12 July. I have already booked the rooms at Ft Lauderdale and Bimini. But, I do like the idea of departing from somewhere other than Bahia.

OK, back from almost a month long travel for work and pleasure and now trying to get this on track!!

@chris34 has crossed before and I have never.

Crossing dates are TO Bimini on July 7th 6AM or so.... Starting point should be discussed because of the smaller group. I am thinking just leave from harbortowne if its less than 10 of us.

Return date I was thinking Saturday July 13th early morning.

Personally I am planning on staying at Bimini Big Game club.
I would like anyone who plans to go these dates to message me so I can compile a more firm list and see where we are at and go from there.

I just took a 3 day cruise to Nassua and CoCo Cay, on the last night I could see Bimini from the ship and boy did it make me itch

Lets refocus on the people who plan to go these dates and we will get this organized.

 

[AJack]

I just got a quote for Las Olaf Marina, it'll be around $31, power is extra. Reservations can be made, but only 30 days out.

i wonder if they'll allow us to split the slip. it'll be 45 feet for the 2 of us combined

 

[SlowDorado]

I went with the itinerary of 8 July departure at 0600hrs, with a return of 12 July. I have already booked the rooms at Ft Lauderdale and Bimini. But, I do like the idea of departing from somewhere other than Bahia.

same for me. reserved the hotel at Bahia Mar for 7/7. and a house at the canal in S Bimini

 

[SlowDorado]

I just got a quote for Las Olaf Marina, it'll be around $31, power is extra. Reservations can be made, but only 30 days out.

I filled out the online form and left a comment that Im staying at the hotel for Bahia Mar. hopefully they'll discount the slip rate.
$31 is attractive. my concern is logistics to load the boat in the morning. aside from that, growing up in NYC nothing public is nice nor safe.

 

[AJack]

I looked at the Google Street view, each place is fenced, and there are nicer boats than a JB. Since I'm staying at Bahia Mar, I'd be willing to load the boat with valuables in the morning, vice the time to launch and no-wake.

I filled out the online form and left a comment that Im staying at the hotel for Bahia Mar. hopefully they'll discount the slip rate.
$31 is attractive. my concern is logistics to load the boat in the morning. aside from that, growing up in NYC nothing public is nice nor safe.

 

[afsigma21]

Looks like the 8-12 itinerary makes more sense. Look for updates in the next couple days to get this all organized!

 

[Amar Nanduri]

We used to park our truck and trailer in Harbor Towne and boat to Bahia Mar the day before the launch. We used to rent a slip for one night in Bahia Mar. Even though it was expensive, the ease of launch and convenience more than made up for the costs. If the slip size is large, 2 boats can share the slip and share the costs. We loaded/packed up our boats the day/night before, have a meeting in the evening and got to know each other before the launch of the boats in the morning.

 

[Valerie]

Keys are being done in june.. 15-22

That's when we will be in the Keys as well!

 

[Wisefam22]

@Valerie where are you staying? We will be in largo half the week and marathon half the week.