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

[Bruce]

@Bruce, we are assigned to 4B!

Oceanfront and by the pool, you are very lucky!

 

[jaburt]

Where is the best place to get the correct distress signal flares and light

 

[Bruce]

Where is the best place to get the correct distress signal flares and light

Walmart typically has flares in the marine section of the store. The stick or pistol type is fine.

 

[jaburt]

Thanks is the light mandatory?

 

[Julian]

Thanks is the light mandatory?

Here is a quick reference sheet (in short, light not needed if you have flares--but if you plan to boat at night, a spotlight can sometimes be very handy for spotting channel bouys):


I also attached the full federal guideline I snipped this from.

 

[Bruce]

Thanks is the light mandatory?

No, the requirements are documented at https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/#coast

 

[Bruce]

Who is prepared for Bimini's fishing?

@tim h?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1611754162167926

 

[Valerie]

Think I can reel something like that in from my ski?!?!

 

[Valerie]

Thanks Alan, I am saving my party for Bimini!

@Bruce I think this is what I got scrambled in all that I have going on in my head.....

 

[jayasaki138]

Who is prepared for Bimini's fishing?

@tim h?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1611754162167926

We are!!!

 

[Julian]

Who is prepared for Bimini's fishing?

@tim h?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1611754162167926

Looks like a Goliath Grouper (protected)! Can you imagine...they pull in thinking they have the biggest catch and get locked up! LOL (it is actually a Warsaw grouper)

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/outdoors/article79153222.html

 

[DieselCamel]

anyone looking for a satellite GPS messenger/tracker for the trip. There 50% off right now

https://www.findmespot.com/summer17/lander.php?utm_source=Benchmark_BuyNow&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Fathers17

 

[Bruce]

@robert843, @Ramblin Wreck, @JROD coild you share the model of ski you guys take and how much fuel you burn on the way to Bimini?

Would you recommend that a Yamaha Fx HO, Kawisaki Ultra 300x or 2016 Yamaha VXS carry extra fuel?

Thanks

 

[robert843]

@robert843, @Ramblin Wreck, @JROD coild you share the model of ski you guys take and how much fuel you burn on the way to Bimini?

Would you recommend that a Yamaha Fx HO, Kawisaki Ultra 300x or 2016 Yamaha VXS carry extra fuel?

Thanks

@Bruce those skis should burn between 12-15 gallons going to Bimini as long as they can maintain speeds of 20 mph or greater during the crossing. If the conditions are rough and forcing them to move slower then that they could burn closer to 17-20 gallons and could require fuel but not much. I personally do not think I would bring fuel with me on a Bimini run again but I would make sure I was maintaining the correct speeds no matter what even if that meant me leaving the group I was with to do it. If someone was not comfortable with that I would suggest they probably pack at least a small 2.5 gallon can just to be safe in case the group they are with was moving slower then that.

 

[Bruce]

in case the group they are with was moving slower then that.

I will not take the group out in any conditions where we can not reasonably remain on plane. Anyone who is unwilling to keep up will be asked to return to port.

 

[robert843]

I will not take the group out in any conditions where we can not reasonably remain on plane. Anyone who is unwilling to keep up will be asked to return to port.

I do agree but so many things can happen out there if a boat breaks down in the middle and they are part of that crossing group it could drastically slow them down if they opt to idle around the boat waiting on Sea Tow or someone decided to tow the broke down vessel in. For the skis in this case they must be willing to continue the crossing on their own or catch the next group coming up behind and continue with them or they would run the risk of being short on fuel. I know you would never lead this crew out in conditions where those speeds were unachievable but I would want the skis to know if they did not carry extra fuel their plan may need to be a little different then the boats in the event of something going wrong. Another good piece of advice for them is if something does go wrong and a extended stop is required turn the ski off and drift versus idling around for an extended period of time in an effort to conserve fuel. In 2015 I would guess I spent at least an hour or more combined time drifting as we waited for help for a distressed vessel and other stops for boats to refuel at sea.

 

[swatski]

These last few posts bring back a couple of important issues.

I think it is important for anyone committing to this adventure to be comfortable with the idea of losing their boat.

Lets face it - even with relatively great conditions, such as last year crossing, if your vessel becomes disabled beyond 25 mile or so off-shore due to something that can not be fixed on the fly you will likely be facing a binary choice:
1. jump ship or
2. take you life in your hands and drift away.

Unless we have a weather window that is just amazing, the primary purpose of going in a group is to save the crew, not the boat, god forbid bad luck strikes.

EDIT: I guess I could have just said: read the first post of this thread.

--

 

[Rob9550]

These last few posts bring back a couple of important issues.

I think it is important for anyone committing to this adventure to be comfortable with the idea of losing their boat.

Lets face it - even with relatively great conditions, such as last year crossing, if your vessel becomes disabled beyond 25 mile or so off-shore due to something that can not be fixed on the fly you will likely be facing a binary choice:
1. jump ship or
2. take you life in your hands and drift away.

Unless we have a weather window that is just amazing, the primary purpose of going in a group is to save the crew, not the boat, god forbid bad luck strikes.

EDIT: I guess I could have just said: read the first post of this thread.

--

This is why I have insurance. Its not even a question if I save my family or my boat...

With that said I do like the new red AR240

 

[robert843]

Lol @Rob9550 people ask me all the time when I tell them we do this stuff what would I do if they ski broke down in the middle of the ocean and my response is always I would pull the drain plugs.

 

[Julian]

All the towing policies I've seen will cover towing in the area we will be in. Losing a boat entirely would be highly unlikely. I'm not even sure the coast guard would allow your boat to be left, full of gas and oil, in the gulf stream. They would almost certainly have it hooked up and towed in. The boat won't sink if you pull the plugs....not sure if a ski would (for 24 hours at a minimum).