Bimini Trip June 27th - July 2nd 2021

[Betik]

This is going to be a lot is fun for you @robert843.....
You on a 30+ center console and first timers on 19 foot Yamahas. I see you running circles around the group

 

[ifly4fun]

I’ll be there that weekend getting married, so I won’t have my boat. Too much to plan otherwise!

 

[Bizywk]

First timers - fully stoked and committed. We rented a house on the South Island, two hotel rooms at the Bahia Mar 25-27 June, and a slip for 26-27 June at the Bahia Mar Marina. Crew of 6 (2 by boat, 4 by plane) in our SX-210. Similar arrangements on the backside through the holiday. It's a two day drive for the boat to FL so we booked airline tickets for the crew - but still prepared to be weather flexible. Started our map recon for good brackish launch locations and brushing up on Florida boating laws. Planning to spend the winter preping the boat with offshore safety upgrades.

Thanks @robert843 for letting us tag along!

 

[Julian]

If anyone is looking for a place at Bimini Cove (aka Sands), this one is available for that week:

https://t.vrbo.io/2Rob0i5odab

It has apparently just been redone and new photos will be added shortly.

 

[Deb Davis]

My sourxe told me that the pool repair failed and that they were flying in people to fix it before they refilled the pool....so who knows.... Bottom line...pool is open and those that have been in it say it "looks fine" - but perhaps they'll drain it again in the "winter" to refix it more???

I was trying to figure out where the 2nd floor deck they built was......was hoping it was by the pool as they need more shade there since they took down the only shade they had.

Talked to Bimini Cove yesterday, infinity pool is working fine. They had restaurant open there, but is slow so it is closed. The Petit Conch restaurant opened yesterday and the new deck is over the entrance to the ship store. Thirsty Turtle is closed.
Jullian is renting my2 units. I have another 2/3 that is available in bldg 19. End unit. Newly refurbished last summer. Is not in the rental pool. New a/c , new appliances, furniture , harbor view.
also a 1/1 in bldg 3.

 

[Julian]

I’ll be there that weekend getting married, so I won’t have my boat. Too much to plan otherwise!

I'm sure someone will be happy to give the newly weds a ride out to Honeymoon Harbor! Couldn't be a better named spot for a photo op!

 

[Bizywk]

Q: I can't find any information on how Bimini customs inprocessing works when a split crew arrives by boat and air/ferry (Same Day). It seems like both the boat and plane parties must register and pay fees through customs independently due to the need to present passports. Since there appears to be only one customs station per island, can crews quickly link up and then clear? Also wondering if it's cheaper that way.

Do most of the folks take just 2 on the boat to minimize risk and weight?

 

[Julian]

Q: I can't find any information on how Bimini customs inprocessing works when a split crew arrives by boat and air/ferry (Same Day). It seems like both the boat and plane parties must register and pay fees through customs independently due to the need to present passports. Since there appears to be only one customs station per island, can crews quickly link up and then clear? Also wondering if it's cheaper that way.

Do most of the folks take just 2 on the boat to minimize risk and weight?

You could probably try and coordinate arrival at the same time, but that wouldn't be an easy feat. If they are flying in you can stay on the boat at bimini cove under a yellow quarantine flag until the flight arrives, then take a cab to the airport.

 

[Betik]

@Bizywk the fees for customs and immigration is fairly cheap. The money you might end up saving is minimal if any. I believe the people who fly to now pay as typically that fee is included in the ticket.

if your crew is flying in and flying out, I would keep the parties completely independent.

if you are taking the boat across , the rest of crew flies in and y'all return on the boat, then you will need to do some let work. If your crew shows up at the airport with one way ticket they might be denied entry. In our case we contacted the airline ahead of time, so they could note on our tickets that although the crew has one way tickets, there is vessel there to take them out of the country. I know it sounds weird but you need to be prepared about it.

regarding to flying in the crew for safety and weight. I believe they should be flown in if you want them to be comfortable and you not have a head ache on the boat. However, I cannot imagine too many scenarios where it is safer for you to cross with only one person vs. 4. Reducing the weight helps a lot, but if having 400lbs extra on the boat makes it dangerous, then you probably should turn out anyway, regardless if you are alone + 1 or with all the family.

I flew in my family and flew them out and I still I do not have have regrets, but it is not because of safety concerns.

 

[Bizywk]

Thanks for the response guys! I appreciate it.

 

[B0at1n]

W

Talked to Bimini Cove yesterday, infinity pool is working fine. They had restaurant open there, but is slow so it is closed. The Petit Conch restaurant opened yesterday and the new deck is over the entrance to the ship store. Thirsty Turtle is closed.
Jullian is renting my2 units. I have another 2/3 that is available in bldg 19. End unit. Newly refurbished last summer. Is not in the rental pool. New a/c , new appliances, furniture , harbor view.
also a 1/1 in bldg 3.

i would possibly be interested in your 2 bedroom unit. Looks like we are going to be adding another couple to our group and would want a second bedroom.

do you have a link or info and cost?

 

[Bizywk]

Ordering a lot of stuff for the trip already. Thought I'd get an MMSI registration number from the FCC for my new radio. Changed my mind in a hurry when I found out they wanted $220. It would have been nice to have my emergency contact information in their database, but I'll just rely on the GPIRB registration instead.

 

[Berrie]

MMSI number is free or nearly free through BoatUS and some other places. Google it

 

[Deb Davis]

W

i would possibly be interested in your 2 bedroom unit. Looks like we are going to be adding another couple to our group and would want a second bedroom.

do you have a link or info and cost?

hi, if you are looking for a 1/1. Contact

dcompagniotte@gmail.com. It is oceanfront

If you are interested in the 2/3 unit , 19-A . I can help you. I sent Jullian some pics of it.
it is newly upgraded. And has not been rented before. $375/nite plus $100 housekeeping. Beautiful harbor view and marina view
You can contact me directly for 19-A

biminideb@gmail.com. (954)696-7586.

 

[VaMarine]

@Bizywk i don’t know who was charging you $220 for an MMSI but through BoatUS i think is like $20.00. I know it will say that you do not communicate with or visit any foreign ports and talks about the bahamas. I’m not sure this type of trip violates that rule. But can tell you I have my MMSI and an EPIRB for travel, and I dont think someone is going to scream about it if I have to hit the distress buttons.

 

[Bizywk]

@Bizywk i don’t know who was charging you $220 for an MMSI but through BoatUS i think is like $20.00. I know it will say that you do not communicate with or visit any foreign ports and talks about the bahamas. I’m not sure this type of trip violates that rule. But can tell you I have my MMSI and an EPIRB for travel, and I dont think someone is going to scream about it if I have to hit the distress buttons.

I was hoping to pay the $25 fee through Boat USA and certainly tried them first, but according to their website instructions, the Bimini trip makes me ineligible to use their site per FCC rules. No problem, so I went to the FCC site and completed the on-line registration. As soon as I answered the direct question of whether my boat would visit foreign ports,(As a small boat owner and of course a land locked Mid-Westerner, the only reason I would ever need the number is for safety on the way to visit Bimini), the on-line form mandated my minimum fee at $220. Bimini seems like the slightest possible trigger for this question but I have to answer honestly. I don't know if there is a treaty, or whether there is an international group that is back-charging through the FCC, but it seems like a questionable tax practice which puts safety at risk.

 

[Bizywk]

MMSI number is free or nearly free through BoatUS and some other places. Google it

Hi Berry. Thanks for the reply. I tried them first.

They state that FCC rules prohibit them issuing applications from anyone traveling to the Bahamas. It appears that it is illegal to use an MMSI outside of US waters unless you have the companion US government FCC Ship Station License. There's no training certification or test requirement for the license, just the added tax. Here is a screen-cap from their website at MMSI Application | BoatUS

 

[Berrie]

@Bizywk if you were a commercial charter or anything commercial, I might worry about it - but most likely not.
I guarantee you that nobody on a personal pleasure craft going to the Bahamas (or Canada) has paid $225 for something they can get for $25, and will most likely never use.

 

[Bizywk]

I just got off the phone with Stephanie at bahia mar. She got us a group discount setup at $2 a foot with a 40ft minuim. Must have 10+ boats to get this rate. She's emailing me the reservations forms. Who ever wants to can get with me and I'll email you a form.

FYI - We're a +1 on that list with a reservation.

 

[James R Whitten]

FYI - We're a +1 on that list with a reservation.

Do you have the reservation form?