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

[Ramblin Wreck]

View attachment 59313 Mrs. Chris24, Beth, made it approximately 12 miles pounding waves on her jet ski averaging 12 to 15 mph. We had to circle back and found the jet ski under power, but with no propulsion..We found drive shaft sheared off.. seas to rough to tow, after a few tears, my wife released "Speedy" in the abyss of the Atlantic ocean..

She's a trooper for hanging in there. Nothing you can do about mechanical failures. Glad to know you both made it. Hope to see y'all real soon.

 

[96Pirate]

Glad to hear everyone made it safely and those that did not make it yet please have a safe trip over tomorrow.

Hope all of you have a fabulous time and smooth sailing home.

Looking forward to seeing lots of photos and videos.

Mike

 

[007]

Man, I'm supposed to be working but I just read backwards through about 15 pages. Quite the adventure! Property damage is fixable, glad to hear everyone is accounted for, even if a little worse for wear. And I thought thunderstorms sucked in the midwest...

 

[Julian]

When we went out on Sunday, we got 45 miles and then these two thunderheads blew up and sat between us and Bimini. We ended up following the big 80' boat (driven by Bill- we met him tonight) through the storm and got soaked....but thankfully made it through the storm without too much problem!

Today....different story....

 

[Julian]

Damage I assessed so far from today's crossing....

• Collapsed tower
• Broken seat base
• Bent steering wheel
• broken anchor locker latch
• Anchor locker lid came off completely
• Broken ski drive shaft....ski abandoned
• Tower speaker mounts broken
• Bimini cover destroyed
• bimini Supports broken
• windshield broken
• Hand rail broken

Was a rough crossing and at least 3-4 boats ran out of gas....

 

[robert843]

I saw on facebook someone was getting medivaced out who was that?

 

[Ziess21]

How in the world did a windshield get broken? Would like to hear more about that!

 

[latitudeadjuster]

How in the world did a windshield get broken? Would like to hear more about that!

LAST year, not to get confused I believe @chris24 had his window closed. The bow flexed and the windshield fell downward, it didn't break tho but could have. And we didn't even have that bad of a crossing! I was thinking this is what MAY have happened today to someone but we will find out. I wouldn't be surprised if class just cracked from impacts with water etc....ugh.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

View attachment 59313 Mrs. Chris24, Beth, made it approximately 12 miles pounding waves on her jet ski averaging 12 to 15 mph. We had to circle back and found the jet ski under power, but with no propulsion..We found drive shaft sheared off.. seas to rough to tow, after a few tears, my wife released "Speedy" in the abyss of the Atlantic ocean..

So, guessing this is the abandoned green hull craft the coast guard found and towed in? damn, glad she was able to get aboard! If so it was on the VHF and Everglades Webcam being towed.....

 

[Julian]

How in the world did a windshield get broken? Would like to hear more about that!

This is not something new....if you leave the center windshield closed, you can launch off a wave and the upper hull actually separates significantly.....so much so that your center windshield glass either ends up on the wrong side of the windshield (inside the cabin vs forward towards the bow) or it gets pinched between both sides of the windshield, gets compressed and shatters.

Perhaps we need to have a new guide on things to do when dealing with rough water and storms.....

1. In rough water, open your center windshield
2. Bring enough gas so that you can take evasive action away from storms
3. Only drive as fast as your boat can handle....driving too fast in rough water wil break your boat and potentially you. If you can't make it with the gas you have....turn back or bring plenty of spare gas.
4. Plan on a "window of departure" so you can pick the best day to make the crossing
5. Make sure your boat is in tip top condition and you know how to work all the electronics (I failed this one-entering a GPS location into a Garmin 541 is a FUCKING PAIN IN THE ASS....I gave up and switched to my phone....so I was ready with back up...but shouldn't have needed it!)

I'm sure there are more "guides" we could add....but learning and adapting is one of the most important parts of making this trip.....

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@2nazt @ClemsonTiger I'll be traveling down I95 tomorrow to leave Wednesday morning for Bimini. By chance do you know of a good scuba shop, marina/boating supply store, etc. where I could pick up a inexpensive pole spear or Hawaiian slip. @Andy S had a few on his boat in Abacos and they where a ton of fun to play with. Something like this what I'm looking for. Thx

 

[2nazt]

@Ramblin Wreck Offer up you may find deals but there is Florida Freedivers in Lake Worth, and they have a vast selection. There is Scuba Works in Jupiter, Drift Freediving in Lighthouse Point and a ton of others also.

 

[haknslash]

Jin had mentioned swatskis tower fell on him. Even though it's aluminum it's still pretty heavy and I couldn't imagine how that felt!!! I've had mine fall on my collar bone before and I swore I broke it lol. I'm guessing he was the one knocked unconscious? OUCH!!! Who had to be medivac'd?

 

[McMark]

Are any folks crossing today? I'm not sure I can take another day like yesterday.

 

[Majorsmackdown]

Hey everyone - one of my tower fasteners (the big rubber coated knob) was very very loose yesterday afer ariving. I cranked them both down tight before departure. I noticed another boat had one really loose too. Check those regularly.

Dang @swatski - I'm glad you're still alive !!!

 

[Majorsmackdown]

Damage I assessed so far from today's crossing....

• Collapsed tower
• Broken seat base
• Bent steering wheel
• broken anchor locker latch
• Anchor locker lid came off completely
• Broken ski drive shaft....ski abandoned
• Tower speaker mounts broken
• Bimini cover destroyed
• bimini Supports broken
• windshield broken
• Hand rail broken

Was a rough crossing and at least 3-4 boats ran out of gas....

Multiple broken or damaged center panel windshields, the scarab lost a whole side section as well.

Sheared off bolts from hard top (@tim h )

I believe a bow cover was lost as well.

Boats adrift (temporarily lost at sea).

Children and parents screaming and kicking !

 

[Bill D]

Lol, @swatski should get the ironman award. He's as tough as they come.

 

[Betik]

Does any one know how long it takes for PSD to kick in ???

 

[Drift Away]

Does any one know how long it takes for PSD to kick in ???

A day a week a year, i did wake up in the middle of the night thinking i was on the boat still

 

[tim h]

Just got caught up on the 15+ pages....

I'm glad all are safe and sound. It was pretty rough...

The storm sent a welcoming fresh water rinse, however the
nearby lightning strikes were a bit scary for the girls. I strayed off course about a mile attempting to stay away from it but we got the edge of it any way. Seas in the stream were probably in the 4 to 6 range from the SE with the occasional blind sided ones from the north. My radio was intermittently losing power. The main screws that hold my hard top down sheared off. I had to have swatski's wife drive while I layed on the cabin tying a rope to try keep from losing the whole hard top. The rear screws loosend as well. It was even slower going after that.. Repairs definitely needed before heading home.