Bimini Trip June 27th - July 2nd 2021

[AbuAyd]

Question for those experienced with the return crossing from Bimini to Ft Lauderdale. With following seas on the return are you able to tolerate a little higher waves? What if the forecast looks better later in the morning / early afternoon? Would you cross later in the day or is it better to start as early as possibly in the day to maximize daylight in case of trouble during the crossing?

Finally, The ferry leaves at 6 PM. Has anyone tried to follow it before?

 

[LayneG]

Question for those experienced with the return crossing from Bimini to Ft Lauderdale. With following seas on the return are you able to tolerate a little higher waves? What if the forecast looks better later in the morning / early afternoon? Would you cross later in the day or is it better to start as early as possibly in the day to maximize daylight in case of trouble during the crossing?

Finally, The ferry leaves at 6 PM. Has anyone tried to follow it before?

In 2019 it was 5:49 min there and 2:25 min back. On the way back is was literally as smooth as a lake in the morning.

 

[Berrie]

Finally, The ferry leaves at 6 PM. Has anyone tried to follow it before?

You will use a lot more fuel in the prop wash of another vessel.

 

[robert843]

I’m crossing in the morning here is the follow link leaving around 6am

https://share.garmin.com/bahmas2021

 

[AbuAyd]

I’m crossing in the morning here is the follow link leaving around 6am

Garmin Explore™

Safe trip.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@robert843 was it a sporty ride this morning?

 

[LayneG]

@robert843 was it a sporty ride this morning?

I don't believe he's there yet.

 

[Julian]

I don't believe he's there yet.

He just arrived (6:50-10:05am)

 

[14SX190]

Our weather in Miami isnt great today.

 

[Farmdog267]

He just arrived (6:50-10:05am)

View attachment 154622

That's not a terrible amount of time to cross.

 

[14SX190]

He just arrived (6:50-10:05am)

View attachment 154622

I wonder what speed he averaged. I figured 1.24 was when he was there
Conditions were probably bad

 

[Valerie]

I wonder what speed he averaged. I figured 1.24 was when he was there
Conditions were probably bad

Looked like he ran about 17-20mph

 

[ifly4fun]

I wonder what speed he averaged. I figured 1.24 was when he was there
Conditions were probably bad

On the zoomed in view he turned around and appeared to wait about 20-30min just outside of bimini

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Pretty sure he was leading a group across which probably slowed him down. However after seeing @Andy S tracker who left separately, it appears to have been pretty sloppy out there.

Hoping for good weather for the Jetboaters group.

 

[Skroggy66]

Looked like he ran about 17-20mph

You have to run at least 17mph or you will run out of GAS. I know that sounds funny but run hard 24-28mph when you can and 11-15mph in the big waves. Coming back in 2017 I ran close to 28mph the entire way. Just got rough about 10 miles off Fort Lauderdale.

 

[Skroggy66]

Our weather in Miami isnt great today.

I have been packing the boat in the rain up here in Flagler Beach. On a positive note the boat is clean..

 

[Valerie]

I have been packing the boat in the rain up here in Flagler Beach. On a positive note the boat is clean..

This weather is nuts
Hopefully Mother Nature gets it out of her system now

 

[AbuAyd]

We made it back from Bimini this morning. Left at 7:50 arrived at 10:30. Was smooth coming out of Bimini for about 20 miles. Got a little worse the next 20 miles. The last 10 miles to Fort Lauderdale were the worst. No way these were 2 foot waves. More 4-5 feet with high wind.

Was supposed to come back tomorrow but made the decision to return today because the weather looked like it was getting worse. Hope the forecast improves for the rest of the group crossing this weekend.

 

[Julian]

You have to run at least 17mph or you will run out of GAS. I know that sounds funny but run hard 24-28mph when you can and 11-15mph in the big waves. Coming back in 2017 I ran close to 28mph the entire way. Just got rough about 10 miles off Fort Lauderdale.

That is not true, and IMHO is how so many boats were damaged one year. We ran 14-15 mph for the first half of the crossing because going faster resulted in too much pounding and air launching. This is why you take extra gas. Only go as fast as you can without sustaining damage. If its too bad....turn back. I'm referring to the "you have to run 17mph" part of your statement ....please don't take that to mean you can't go slower....you often MUST go slower.....and often for a long time! This is often the case as you exit Port Everglades and for the first half of the trip (if its heavy seas).

 

[Jair]

hello everyone,
first time attempting to cross 2 24' yamaha boats looking to join a larger group that will leave sunday june 27th. i understand there will be a captains meeting saturday night at bahia mar. our boats are docked there currently and would like to join the meeting and hopefully leave with a larger group. any insight or information to be able to joing the meeting will be much appreciated.