svana
Jet Boat Junkie
- Messages
- 413
- Reaction score
- 365
- Points
- 147
- Location
- Riverview, FL
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2008
- Boat Model
- SX
- Boat Length
- 23
My wife and I have just committed to going to Bimini - departing Sunday Morning July 2 from Ft. Lauderdale, and returning on Saturday Morning July 8. Posting here to hopefully get a group together to make the crossing.
We will be launching from the Harbour Towne Marina and staying at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale by Hilton on Saturday night ready for departure Sunday Morning (7/2) from there through Port Everglades. We will be staying at Resorts World in Bimini and depending on the crew, either depart from there or Bimini Cove returning straight to Harbour Towne Marina on Saturday Morning (7/8).
A bit about us and our Bimini experience: We’ve got a 2008 SX230 which we use exclusively in Tampa Bay and the Gulf. We’ve made one crossing in 2021 in weather that we likely would not cross in again this time around. The trip back was smoother than most days out in the bay. Despite the rough crossing out, we still ended with roughly half a tank of gas. We’ve baked in an extra day before and after to have some flexibility if the weather demands it. While not concerned about running out of gas, the peace of mind was there should any emergency arise between the boats. Unfortunately our last trip was a bit disorganized between the boats so I’m hoping that this trip around will be a little smoother.
This link covers almost, if not all of what you need to know. If you’ve never made the trip, start here. Heck, I’m going to be revisiting it a couple times as well. Last time we entered COVID was in full swing so there were a good deal more hoops to jump through. I’ll be digging through the latest requirements and post my findings here as I come across them.
If anybody would like to make the crossing on these dates please let me know - always better to cross in numbers.
Roster:
@svana - 2008 SX230 HO - 2 adults
@Jahall812 - 2018 242 Limited S - 4 adults
@jaroofoo - 2013 AR210 - 2 adults
@Jason Crump - 2015 AR240 - 2 adults
@AlanSnyder91 - 2020 212S
Edit 1/1 - Here's a link showing the fuel consumption of various models as it pertains to the Bimini crossing - great info for those who haven't crossed before and were wondering about the fuel requirements. We took an extra 10 gallons strapped to the swim deck which we didn't use at all through the trip. We'll probably bring it again just in case. While it wasn't in the way to open the hatch, it definitely was in the way when I had to try and clear out the sargassum on the way back (too rough to try and open it up on the way there).
Edit 1/1 - Looks like all COVID requirements have been lifted (for vaccinated travelers)
Important Updates 9/22/22
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS, BOATERS AND BAHAMAS MARINAS
Travel to and from The Bahamas
Effective Tuesday, September 20, 2022, all Covid related travel restrictions have been lifted.
Negative Covid tests are no longer required for Unvaccinated Travelers.
Bahamas Travel Health Visas will no longer be required to enter The Bahamas.
Vaccinated Travelers will no longer need Covid 19 tests to enter The Bahamas. (Proof of vaccination will be required upon entry.)
All mask mandates for travelers are eliminated as of October 1, 2022. (Masks will still be required when visiting any healthcare facility.)
Full updated official protocols can be found: https://travel.gov.bs/file/travelProtocols
We will be launching from the Harbour Towne Marina and staying at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale by Hilton on Saturday night ready for departure Sunday Morning (7/2) from there through Port Everglades. We will be staying at Resorts World in Bimini and depending on the crew, either depart from there or Bimini Cove returning straight to Harbour Towne Marina on Saturday Morning (7/8).
A bit about us and our Bimini experience: We’ve got a 2008 SX230 which we use exclusively in Tampa Bay and the Gulf. We’ve made one crossing in 2021 in weather that we likely would not cross in again this time around. The trip back was smoother than most days out in the bay. Despite the rough crossing out, we still ended with roughly half a tank of gas. We’ve baked in an extra day before and after to have some flexibility if the weather demands it. While not concerned about running out of gas, the peace of mind was there should any emergency arise between the boats. Unfortunately our last trip was a bit disorganized between the boats so I’m hoping that this trip around will be a little smoother.
This link covers almost, if not all of what you need to know. If you’ve never made the trip, start here. Heck, I’m going to be revisiting it a couple times as well. Last time we entered COVID was in full swing so there were a good deal more hoops to jump through. I’ll be digging through the latest requirements and post my findings here as I come across them.
If anybody would like to make the crossing on these dates please let me know - always better to cross in numbers.
Roster:
@svana - 2008 SX230 HO - 2 adults
@Jahall812 - 2018 242 Limited S - 4 adults
@jaroofoo - 2013 AR210 - 2 adults
@Jason Crump - 2015 AR240 - 2 adults
@AlanSnyder91 - 2020 212S
Edit 1/1 - Here's a link showing the fuel consumption of various models as it pertains to the Bimini crossing - great info for those who haven't crossed before and were wondering about the fuel requirements. We took an extra 10 gallons strapped to the swim deck which we didn't use at all through the trip. We'll probably bring it again just in case. While it wasn't in the way to open the hatch, it definitely was in the way when I had to try and clear out the sargassum on the way back (too rough to try and open it up on the way there).
Edit 1/1 - Looks like all COVID requirements have been lifted (for vaccinated travelers)
Important Updates 9/22/22
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS, BOATERS AND BAHAMAS MARINAS
Travel to and from The Bahamas
Effective Tuesday, September 20, 2022, all Covid related travel restrictions have been lifted.
Negative Covid tests are no longer required for Unvaccinated Travelers.
Bahamas Travel Health Visas will no longer be required to enter The Bahamas.
Vaccinated Travelers will no longer need Covid 19 tests to enter The Bahamas. (Proof of vaccination will be required upon entry.)
All mask mandates for travelers are eliminated as of October 1, 2022. (Masks will still be required when visiting any healthcare facility.)
Full updated official protocols can be found: https://travel.gov.bs/file/travelProtocols
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