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

[thefortunes]

@Andy S - Is it normal for USCG to stop and cause customs problems with boaters? I would think with normal ID and US Passport it wouldn't be a problem.

They just stopped us and were checking our registration and float plans (from a distance).

4 "speedboats" coming from the Bahamas screams of something nefarious

 

[haknslash]

Bill says...

 

[Andy S]

@Andy S - Is it normal for USCG to stop and cause customs problems with boaters? I would think with normal ID and US Passport it wouldn't be a problem.

It was a Tuesday so if think it is unusual for boats to be crossing, that why they stopped us. @upperdeck talked to them on the radio, answer a few quick questions and they let us go.

Yep, that was me. Was significantly rougher than the crossing over to Bimini, but even with 8 in the boat we stayed dry.

I do have some good pics of the Coast Guard cutter

Sorry for forgetting, my memory can be iffy sometimes. At the time the 2011 return seemed rough but now will all the trips there and back and beyond, I would take the 2011 return seas anytime.

 

[flyingnugget]

OMG... this is like an action filled drama mystery novel ... I've been binge reading since I've been flying all morning/afternoon. There are abandoned jet skis, cracked and punctured hulls, inlet returns, scared kids, sea-tows, coast guard,fuel starvation, a bad-ass girl kicking ass solo on a wave runner, groups split up and apparently a missing person... and I thought the drama and stories of y'all just getting to the marine was exciting...

I gotta have a drink...crap I'll drink to ALL of you for having the biggest balls for this trip. I was ready/excited for next years crossing but I'm thinking my level of experience just met its match..

This is CRAZZZZYYY reading ...CRAZZYYYY

 

[haknslash]

From @blacksapphirez's wife on our local jetboater fb group. Lots of nice looking Yami's there!

 

[waterboy]

so we about ready for a roll call yet? We are all curious as to the tally and is everyone accounted for?

 

[haknslash]

They are real close now that when you zoom in you get aerial imagery on inreach!

 

[Bennie]

Since there are so many of you coming over did Bimini Sands have customs on-site this time?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Spoke with Jin. He said it would have been too rough for a 19' boat but there was a FSH that made it and had to use 50 gallons. Jin said he drove 15-20 mph and only burned 33 gallons while others ran out of gas. I'm guessing cargo differences played a big roll.

I don't think a single Yamaha boat including the 192s/195s would need fuel if they kept their speed over 20mph+. I'm almost certain @1948Isaac would make the crossing from Miami and still have around a 1/4 tank when he had his 19 but he can correct me if I'm wrong. Coming off a consistent plane kills the fuel burn from what I've witnessed and read. You just have to take the beating and if it's impossible to run and stay north of 20mph then you really need to consider turning around or carrying a bunch of extra fuel. I've witnessed Isaacs AR240 have a fuel range in both good and bad seas of over 100 miles. Granted he's locked in around 30mph give or take pending conditions. @Andy S cobalt was pretty much the same I believe.

 

[Mainah]

Been following this on and off today. Can someone in Bimini please give an all accounted for on dry land message when appropriate.

Sounds like it was an exciting one this year.

 

[Majorsmackdown]

It was quite rough and boats were getting damaged and people getting battered. This caused some folks to slow more than they wanted to (and use more fuel). Also we got caught in the hardest rain / thunderstorm I've seen and with zero vis folks got their groups mixed up, lost sight of their groups etc. in the noise it became impossible to hear your radio... couple that with the need to pick up the pace if possible just to make it to bimini. Last year my boat averaged 25mph, and used 50% fuel. This year we averaged 12.5 mph and used 99.5% fuel.

The buddy or group system was taxed to the max. It's easy to armchair quarterback it.

 

[Alex&Elena]

We are at Bahia mar
Rough seas 6' or so
Wife gave up 15 min into the trip I disided to tough it out. Came trough 2 storms. Burned 75 gallons ranout of fuel, drifted 15 miles north, during that drift 6 footers ware pounding like no tomorrow kids crying and telling me that they never want to go to Bimini again, wife beyond sick. Thank God seatow was helpfool got towed in around 3pm. Now looking for alternative way to get to Bimini
I couldn't reach anyone over radio to let them know what happened sorry
HOPE ALL ARE SAFE

 

[Andy S]

It was quite rough and boats we're getting damaged and people getting battered. This caused some folks to slow more than they wanted to (and use more fuel). Also we got caught in the hardest rain / thunderstorm I've seen and with zero vis folks got their groups mixed up, lost sight of their groups etc. in the noise it became impossible to hear your radio... couple that with the need to pick up the pace if possible just to make it to bimini. Last year my boat averaged 25mph, and used 50% fuel. This year we averaged 12.5 mph and used 99.5% fuel.

The buddy or group system was taxed to the max. It's easy to armchair quarterback it.

Unless it is a major rain storm, typically Florida/Bahamas small but powerful rain storms are very hard to predict were they are going to pop up.

Glad you made it safely and thankful nothing to serious happened. Now relax and have a great time. The waters around Bimini look nice.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

It was quite rough and boats we're getting damaged and people getting battered. This caused some folks to slow more than they wanted to (and use more fuel). Also we got caught in the hardest rain / thunderstorm I've seen and with zero vis folks got their groups mixed up, lost sight of their groups etc. in the noise it became impossible to hear your radio... couple that with the need to pick up the pace if possible just to make it to bimini. Last year my boat averaged 25mph, and used 50% fuel. This year we averaged 12.5 mph and used 99.5% fuel.

The buddy or group system was taxed to the max. It's easy to armchair quarterback it.

If you speaking to me, I'm not being an armchair quarterback. Your statement about your fuel burn last year is exactly my point. All these boats can make it if the speed is consistently north of 20mph. I wasn't saying that everyone should have maintained that this year. I wasn't there this morning so who am I to say what to run. I was just making a fuel burn point regarding these boats. Just speaking from the last 3 years of experience and making an observation from what I've witnessed. No doubt weather can slow you down and that's completely understandable.

 

[Bennie]

@haknslash - What's going on with @Bill D, I see them faced northwest.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

We are at Bahia mar
Rough seas 6' or so
Wife gave up 15 min into the trip I disided to tough it out. Came trough 2 storms. Burned 75 gallons ranout of fuel, drifted 15 miles north, during that drift 6 footers ware pounding like no tomorrow kids crying and telling me that they never want to go to Bimini again, wife beyond sick. Thank God seatow was helpfool got towed in around 3pm. Now looking for alternative way to get to Bimini
I couldn't reach anyone over radio to let them know what happened sorry
HOPE ALL ARE SAFE

Glad to hear you all made it back safely.

 

[Bennie]

@Bill D - made it!!

Glad you guys had a great/safe trip!

 

[2nazt]

Hope at the end of the day everyone is safe and able to enjoy some drinks and stories.

 

[Eric Ballard]

I'm not saying some didn't go. He just said it was too rough probably meaning likely for most. They didn't have the same weather I think as Bill and group experienced.

From our group i didnt see any 19 footers signed up to go.

 

[Drift Away]

Does anyone know where @Drift Away is at?

I am alive thanks to everyone who helped out