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

[1948Isaac]

For those that have experience the open water before here is a little advise and some of this might have been mentioned before.

- Don't let the first few miles of leaving Florida scare you, the waves are typically worse close to Florida and settle down some at about the 10 mile mark.
- Try to find a speed where the boat isn't constantly slamming down on the water and leave the throttles there, the boat can handle a lot more than you are willing to tolerate. As conditions get consistently better or worse then make small adjustments to your speed, don't neceesarily adjust speed based on the rogue waves which will happen about every 10 waves or so.
- My estimate is based on the forecast the novice boaters will start out in the 20-25 mph range and slowly work up to 30-35mph by the time you get to Bimini.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, NEVER STOP THE BOAT TO COMPLETE STOP WHILE CROSSING BIG WAVES. YOU CAN SLOW DOWN BUT DONOT STOP WHILE CLIMBING A WAVE. IF YOU DO, IT WILL END BADLY AND FOR THOSE THAT JUST INSTALLED TRIM TABS ON THEIR BOATS, TABD ARE GREAT BUT IF YOU STOP COMPLETELY WITH OUT RETRACTING THEM BEFORE A FULL STOP IN ROUGH SEAS, THEY ARE LIKE CAR BRAKES, AND THAT WILL RESULT IN GETTING LOTS OF WATER FROM THE FRONT BOW AND POSSIBLY SINKING... BE SAFE OUT THERE.

 

[haknslash]

Passport=Government=Takes a while

I'll just hide in your helm storage

 

[Glen]

If you want to go, try harder. You can get a passport same day. There are agencies that will walk them through for you or you can show up at an issuing office and get it yourself.

My bride got her's in 24 hours-

You need proof of imminent (next 48) international travel. Hotel reservation on Bimini will likely do.
My wife was at Passport Control in DC at 5:30 AM, for an 7AM opening. Was out an hour later and picked up her passport the next day.

 

[Glen]

Final step of my preparation. Just added Bahamas Extension to my BoatUS policy.

Same here-
$70 for complete Bahamian Coverage

 

[haknslash]

My bride got her's in 24 hours-

You need proof of imminent (next 48) international travel. Hotel reservation on Bimini will likely do.
My wife was at Passport Control in DC at 5:30 AM, for an 7AM opening. Was out an hour later and picked up her passport the next day.

The guys are leaving first thing in the morning I'm sure so it's unlikely I'd get one made without holding people up. My wife told me I should have just committed a few weeks ago when I was considering the trip. She is right lol

 

[Glen]

@jayasaki138 what did you have to tell BoatUS to get a rider on your policy? They told me they didn't offer one a few months ago.

I spoke to them this AM.
Though I had done it last year as well, I played a bit coy-
Told them I was towing to FL and boating their for the next week or tw0.
Considering Bahamas,..., what coverage and cost would you have, if we decided to make that trip?
$75 for the year. $70 due to pro-rating. Maybe I should consider an August annual insurance cycle. (Lower the pro-rating

 

[2nazt]

If people arrived early and the Sands along with the Marinia could accommodate. I would leave today or tomorrow in a small group. Not that Monday is impassable as stated but it would be a lot better giving the choices. Either way it's only 2-3 hrs till a great vacation.

 

[swatski]

@jayasaki138 what did you have to tell BoatUS to get a rider on your policy? They told me they didn't offer one a few months ago.

I need to ask Kate, she dealt with these people this year, it was farcical. Not sure how many phone calls. It is called an endorsement, I think. The surcharge is minor, but getting anything from them in writing is an art form.
They will also try to raise your rate, lol. I'm PMing you a phone number.

--

 

[jayasaki138]

I spoke to them this AM.
Though I had done it last year as well, I played a bit coy-
Told them I was towing to FL and boating their for the next week or tw0.
Considering Bahamas,..., what coverage and cost would you have, if we decided to make that trip?
$75 for the year. $70 due to pro-rating. Maybe I should consider an August annual insurance cycle. (Lower the pro-rating

I just asked if my policy covers Bimini, she said no but they offer $75 for the whole year. I said go ahead cover me.

 

[Bruce]

If people arrived early and the Sands along with the Marinia could accommodate. I would leave today or tomorrow in a small group. Not that Monday is impassable as stated but it would be a lot better giving the choices. Either way it's only 2-3 hrs till a great vacation.

Sunday is not a great day for crossing. My opinion is that it is safer to cross in a group under Monday's forecast than to do so alone on Sunday.

 

[2nazt]

I would wait to Monday also instead of Sunday.

 

[hobineros]

Monday's not that bad looking. I go play in that forecast all the time. Big boy undies time!

 

[hobineros]

I see the port everglades forecast today for monday as a improvement over the last few days , lower winds... and no rain.

 

[Betik]

https://share.garmin.com/BetikJefferson

Here is my tracker. I run a quick route in Orlando for testing. All systems look good.

 

[Rana]

Headed toward Florida...

 

[Rana]

Thankfully, while stopped to grab dry ice @Bruce noticed bearing buddy was missing... so quick stop at auto store to replace it then roll on.

 

[blacksapphirez]

Stephanie from Bahia Mar called to confirm reservation for the boat!

 

[hobineros]

Lol I was just about to post that.

 

[hobineros]

I guess since this is my first time, I didn't know this till I asked her - We supposed to call day of to find out where to tie the boat at the Marina - 954-764-2233

She said they don't have a list yet. SMH!

 

[blacksapphirez]

we are to check in at the office...then we will get our slip per Bruce