JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling July 10th to 15th 2017

[Bruce]

@Bruce I spoke to Capital One before last yrs trip about what to do in the event of fraud protection shutting off card. If you call them any time & let them know what dates you'll be traveling, they'll aid in not shutting card off.

I agree that you can get cards preauthorized for Bahamian travel and sometimes it works. Personally I do not want to deal with the hassle.

$150 for customs is only good for up to 3, each person above 3 is $25.
$250 for dock master, not sure what this is for. My experience dock masters and dock hands would prefer or at least very happy with a 12 pack of beer as a tip since beer is so expensive in Bimini.

This year the condo rentals are handled by the reservation staff in Fort Lauderdale. They are prepaid. Technically we all should have already paid for our entire rental. I believe that many of us have not.

Unfortunately the slip rental is handled by the marina staff in Bimini. We will need to pay for slips after arrival. It is likely that we can pay by card but safest to have the cash.

$150 for customs
$250? for dock master
$500-1,000 for everything else?

I thought we had to pay the dockmaster for our slip when we arrive? The $250 came from $50/night for 5 nights.

Chase has told me that they do not charge an international fee on my card. Capital One has told me two different stories, so I'm not sure if they do or not...

We do pay the dock master when we arrive. It will be no more than $250 + 15% tax ($287.50) but will hopefully be less.

I know that Blue Water accepts plastic for fuel. Bimini Sands has in the past and should this year. Paying cash for fuel will save you time and might save money.

All but the largest eating establishments will be cash only. Transportation such as the busses that run around South Bimini and golf carts will be cash only. Most shops are cash only.

If you might want to spend it on the island I recommend bringing it in cash. They prefer US dollars to Bahamian. The value is the same.

 

[ACrews]

I thought we had to pay the dockmaster for our slip when we arrive? The $250 came from $50/night for 5 nights.

Chase has told me that they do not charge an international fee on my card. Capital One has told me two different stories, so I'm not sure if they do or not...

They didn't charge me any fees. I agree with @Bruce that cash is king over there, but that card made me alot less nervous than that cash in my pocket.

Someone hacks your card = hassle of getting a new one.

Someone hacks your pocket = gone forever.

 

[Betik]

Chase has told me that they do not charge an international fee on my card. Capital One has told me two different stories, so I'm not sure if they do or not...

Please keep in mind that although the card issuer (chase in this case) will not charge you a foreign transaction fee, it does not mean that you will get a "fair" exchange rate. ie you might get 1 Bahamian dollar for 1 US dollar at the bank, but on credit in might be 1.05.

 

[robert843]

Since I have started doing the Bahamas trips the cards I have used on these trips have all been hacked and tried to be used for fraudulent charges. I'm not saying this is necessarily the cause but i highly suspect it is as almost every time I have had to send a credit card form to what probably not a very secure email or fax one over for anyone on the other end of the fax to see. I still have no issues using a credit card while in the Bahamas but I do monitor the card for a while after I'm back and no way I would use a debit card over there. Its one thing to put a credit card on hold its a whole different issue to have a $1000 charge against your checking account as your bank will then put your funds on hold till the charges can be verified as fraud.

 

[Valerie]

Last year when I made my reservation with the sands with my debit card I was charged a fee by Chase (and I work for them and I should know better) It depends on your CREDIT card as to the fees
I'm not sure about other banks but chase charges when using your debit card over there.
Chase does offer no transaction fee credit cards and I'm sure there are other ones out there that are the same.

 

[Bill D]

Don't forget to reserve your Bimini 2017 stickers!

https://jetboaters.net/threads/bimini-2017-stickers.14127/

 

[Betik]

Since I have started doing the Bahamas trips the cards I have used on these trips have all been hacked and tried to be used for fraudulent charges.

I wonder what is the common denominator here! LOL

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Since I have started doing the Bahamas trips the cards I have used on these trips have all been hacked and tried to be used for fraudulent charges. I'm not saying this is necessarily the cause but i highly suspect it is as almost every time I have had to send a credit card form to what probably not a very secure email or fax one over for anyone on the other end of the fax to see. I still have no issues using a credit card while in the Bahamas but I do monitor the card for a while after I'm back and no way I would use a debit card over there. Its one thing to put a credit card on hold its a whole different issue to have a $1000 charge against your checking account as your bank will then put your funds on hold till the charges can be verified as fraud.

I'm pretty sure it would be cheaper for my card to get hacked then to give my wife a bunch of cash. They would probably spend less on my card.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Quick question guys... I have a Garmin EchmoMap74dv. Is there a way to install all the pre-defined routes into the GPS of the places we plan to visit ? Can anyone share the routes info? Being a newbie It will make it easier for us to follow specific routes in case anyone falls back during the trip for the duration of the trip. I checked the FAQ and did not find any tips on how we can do this .

Cheers
Amar

 

[blacksapphirez]

Quick question guys... I have a Garmin EchmoMap74dv. Is there a way to install all the pre-defined routes into the GPS of the places we plan to visit ? Can anyone share the routes info? Being a newbie It will make it easier for us to follow specific routes in case anyone falls back during the trip for the duration of the trip. I checked the FAQ and did not find any tips on how we can do this .

Cheers
Amar

@Bill D ? I think has same chartplotter

 

[Bill D]

You can install preset points through the Homeport software, which is free to download from Garmin's website. You'll need to have your SD card with the maps in the computer to add waypoints and routes.

For routing specific courses, it's easiest to have Navionics auto-route the course and then import it into the Homeport software and onto your maps card. Robert843 lays out good instructions. https://jetboaters.net/threads/how-to-plot-with-my-chartplotter.9639/#post-165595

 

[Amar Nanduri]

The above link should be in FAQ as every boater worth his salt will buy a gps and then scratch their head

 

[Betik]

Quick question guys... I have a Garmin EchmoMap74dv. Is there a way to install all the pre-defined routes into the GPS of the places we plan to visit ? Can anyone share the routes info? Being a newbie It will make it easier for us to follow specific routes in case anyone falls back during the trip for the duration of the trip. I checked the FAQ and did not find any tips on how we can do this .

Cheers
Amar

I added 2 destination on my Garmin;
1. Bimini Sands
2. Port Everglades


The fun places, I just added them to my InReach. But for the most part, I will just follow (up to 40% of fuel capacity) whoever is leading the group .

 

[Bill D]

Things like that thread make the bookmark feature one of my favs.

 

[robert cabrerea]

As a founding member of the Bimini Fling and having made all previous trips or at least an appearance during the trip (2016), the 2017 trip will be the first trip Cindy and I will unfortunately miss. There are too many vacations which includes Shelbyville and not enough time or money.

For the 2017 Bimini trip, I'm hoping the seas are calm, the weather is ideal, and the fuel in Bimini is plentiful.

Not that im going. But I am veey excited for you all.

 

[blacksapphirez]

#yamahabimini #yamahamoments used by Yamaha Boats

 

[Amar Nanduri]

One more never ending question guys... Do I purchase a Garmin InReahc explorer or just rent a EPIRB or PLB device ? If a PLB device do I need to get 1 for each of my family members? Thanks.

 

[tim h]

If you want communication capability then get an INREACH. If not get a PLB. You can take it with you when you are on other boats, vs EPIRB stays with the boat.

 

[Bill D]

I purchased an Inreach, but I think the rental route is a good way to go if you don't think you'll have a use for one after the trip. I would only get one and in the event of an emergency keep everyone with the boat / together.

 

[Betik]

One more never ending question guys... Do I purchase a Garmin InReahc explorer or just rent a EPIRB or PLB device ? If a PLB device do I need to get 1 for each of my family members? Thanks.

I had the same dilemma. I decided to buy the Inreach, so my family can track me and I can text back and forth if I need too. My wife also wants to share the link with some "friends".
The critical factor for me was: if something where to happen and I dont make it to Bimini, the last thing I want is my family to board the 3pm flight to Bimini while I am drifting towards Iceland.