Crossing flotillas

[J Warren L]

Is this a good site to coordinate a flotilla from Miami to Bimini? If not, can I get pointed in the direction of a good source?

 

[Andy S]

There already is one in July, https://jetboaters.net/threads/jetboaters-net-bimini-fling-july-9th-to-14th-2018.16250/ and one in June https://jetboaters.net/threads/2018-bimini-june-trip-june-25th-june-30th.16253/

 

[J Warren L]

OK! Excellent! I will be looking at those dates. Im also toying going to the Abacos. I see that @Bruce is a big part of this site so im hoping that he can help me with that too or point me into the right direction.

 

[Bruce]

OK! Excellent! I will be looking at those dates. Im also toying going to the Abacos. I see that @Bruce is a big part of this site so im hoping that he can help me with that too or point me into the right direction.

Actually, @Andy S has been doing this longer than I and led a group to the Abacos last year.

Please tell us more about your boat. Reliability is a key ingredient to any of these trips.

 

[J Warren L]

Actually, @Andy S has been doing this longer than I and led a group to the Abacos last year.

Please tell us more about your boat. Reliability is a key ingredient to any of these trips.

Cool man! I have a 2002 Bayliner 24' Ciera. I have owned it since October and it currently has 120 hrs on the 305 Merc engine, has 1 previous owner and has been drystacked its entire lifetime. I have had it 100% serviced since I bought it and had a survey done on it prior to buying it that stated that the boat looks and operates like its 10 years newer that it actually is. I would be traveling with two others. Im based out of Charleston, SC. We took it to Ft. McAllister, GA 3 weeks ago for an oyster roast and it performed admirably on the ICW with no issues. I have a brand new Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 54cv GPS system complete with enhancement chip and transducer (as well as a handheld unit).

 

[Bruce]

I have a 2002 Bayliner 24' Ciera

The freeboard and closed bow look to be well designed for rough water. Is the hull intended for rough water?

performed admirably on the ICW

My experience is that the ICW is quite calm. Is it in your area?

In 2017's rough Bimini Crossing we had significant issues with two boats. Both were older cabin cruisers around 30'. One did not have enough fuel, likely overloaded and the other suffered a severe structural failure. Neither made it half way across the stream. Both were recovered back to the US. One was totaled.

 

[J Warren L]

The freeboard and closed bow look to be well designed for rough water. Is the hull intended for rough water?



My experience is that the ICW is quite calm. Is it in your area?

In 2017's rough Bimini Crossing we had significant issues with two boats. Both were older cabin cruisers around 30'. One did not have enough fuel, likely overloaded and the other suffered a severe structural failure. Neither made it half way across the stream. Both were recovered back to the US. One was totaled.

its calm in some places as far as the ICW. ive been out past the jetties in the Atlantic 3 different times and one time it was quite rough (in the 2002). She took a pounding for about 2 good hours and couldn't have been avoided since we were on the way back in when it hit. ha ha. The fuel consumption sucks for sure but I have 4 5L cans that I would be taking as well. I have also been doing research on making the crossing from Miami which would make the stream not quite as bad since we would be using the current and not fighting it. (I am open to any and all suggestions).

 

[Bruce]

I have also been doing research on making the crossing from Miami which would make the stream not quite as bad since we would be using the current and not fighting it.

Crossing from Miami is a few miles shorter. Typically the wave forecasts show the water to be slightly rougher for a Miami crossing when I have checked. In 2017 a group of Yamaha boats and skis crossed from Miami at the same time that we crossed from Fort Lauderdale. They reported a longer and rougher crossing.

If you were sailing and stream conditions were normal you would want to start somewhere south of Miami and allow the stream to push you to within a few miles of Bimini.

 

[robert843]

OK! Im also toying going to the Abacos. .

I know the hull truth forum has a whole thread dedicated to people looking for crossing partners for Abacos trips. I think @Amar Nanduri was thinking of going to Abaco this year you could check with him. There has not been any large flotilla crossings organized here other then Bimini. There have been a few smaller group longer crossing set up but I think it's unlikely are large crossing to Abaco will be set up on here.

 

[J Warren L]

Crossing from Miami is a few miles shorter. Typically the wave forecasts show the water to be slightly rougher for a Miami crossing when I have checked. In 2017 a group of Yamaha boats and skis crossed from Miami at the same time that we crossed from Fort Lauderdale. They reported a longer and rougher crossing.

If you were sailing and stream conditions were normal you would want to start somewhere south of Miami and allow the stream to push you to within a few miles of Bimini.

I love this info. I looked at going farther south as well since common sense states that going WITH a current is usually better than going against it! From Ft Laud or Miami, I would have to push a bit south east to ensure I stayed straight toward Bimini.