JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling July 9th to 14th 2018

[Bruce]

I am new to this forum and I am using this guide to research for a possible jet boat purchase. I have been to Bimini a few times on my 29' SeaRay and it's great fun! The question I have is this; why don't you all leave from Miami as it is 42 miles instead of 50 miles? The shorter distance would save gas, your boat and boat if conditions are rough. Just my .02!

1. The difference is 59.7 miles Bahia Mar to Bimini Sands versus 54.7 Haulover to Bimini Sands. Most of the 5 mile difference is in the calm intercoastal.

2. We have excellent staging opportunities with facilities in Fort Lauderdale to allow the entire group to be in the water in the same marina with an attached hotel.

3. The conditions are typically better further north. Last year a group of Yamahas left Miami at the same time that we left Fort Lauderdale. They claim to have had a longer and tougher crossing which was consistent with the forecast.

4. We have safe parking in Fort Lauderdale. Have you checked the crime statistics for Miami?

 

[robert843]

I am new to this forum and I am using this guide to research for a possible jet boat purchase. I have been to Bimini a few times on my 29' SeaRay and it's great fun! The question I have is this; why don't you all leave from Miami as it is 42 miles instead of 50 miles? The shorter distance would save gas, your boat and boat if conditions are rough. Just my .02!

There is exactly a 4 mile offshore difference between the two cut to Bimini Sands not worth the additional drive time and hassle to launch from Maimi for most of us coming from out of state. Now if there is a launch that is only 42 miles away I think many of us would be interested in that but I'm unsure of where that would be. The closest cut I know of in Miami is Haulover but that's 52.8 miles to Bimini and Haulover sucks as the waves stack heavy coming in and out there compared to Ft Lauderdale coming out of Port Everglades.

 

[Speedling]

Gotta prep hard and fast when i get boat back!
I think anyone would want boat in tip top condition and then test in rough water before this trip right?
I hope to do a LOT of testing but i will be getting into the fireworks season for my part time job so the earlier the better!

 

[Speedling]

We were going over a short groceries list and had a question: Is there a stove and pots and pans etc or is it like microwave only?
Also, liquids will be the heaviest thing and the most fragile thing crossing. Of water, beer, milk, condiments etc what should we be bringing across vs buying at the store?
Obviously certain things will make us change up some breakfast selections.

 

[tim h]

There isn't much for "stores" over in Bimini @Speedling ...

There will be a "fully" stocked kitchen. But I would bring your favorite kitchen tools ! A sharp knife , can opener, corkscrew etc

 

[Bruce]

Also, liquids will be the heaviest thing and the most fragile thing crossing. Of water, beer, milk, condiments etc what should we be bringing across vs buying at the store?.

We reduce the liquid weight by brining Gatorade powder to mix with tap water. We bring a few packs of Gatorade bottles and refill them during our stay. That, milk, rum mixers, tea and coffee are all the drinks we bring.

The Ship Store has become a community store but I would bring everything that you think you might need.

 

[JeffVans]

I am FINALLY picking up my boat this weekend ('16 242LSE) and am planning on attending this July Fling. So I guess this is my "unofficial" registration before I sign up. Just wondering (since I know it has been discussed before) Is there a list of trip members with their MMSIs? I'm picking up the boat this weekend but have already ordered the radio(s) nd didn't know of there was a "central repository" of MMSIs for the people going of if we had to go back through and find all of them? It may be a good idea to add them to the "registered members" list at the beginning of the thread, just a thought??? I'm more than willing to put it together if i I have the proper permissions and whatnot.

 

[Mainah]

I am FINALLY picking up my boat this weekend ('16 242LSE) and am planning on attending this July Fling. So I guess this is my "unofficial" registration before I sign up. Just wondering (since I know it has been discussed before) Is there a list of trip members with their MMSIs? I'm picking up the boat this weekend but have already ordered the radio(s) nd didn't know of there was a "central repository" of MMSIs for the people going of if we had to go back through and find all of them? It may be a good idea to add them to the "registered members" list at the beginning of the thread, just a thought??? I'm more than willing to put it together if i I have the proper permissions and whatnot.

The group leaders for trips collect that info and do not post it on the open forum. You will notice that when you register it will ask for your mmsi along with other information that gets saved but does not show up in the auto generated open post later on.

 

[Bruce]

We will share MMSI information before the trip.

I am not aware of anyone actually using it.

 

[JeffVans]

We will share MMSI information before the trip.

I am not aware of anyone actually using it.

ahhh ok, I didn't know with the lack of cell coverage and everything else, if you guys normally made a group DSC call thing or not? I'm still learning about them.

 

[Bruce]

ahhh ok, I didn't know with the lack of cell coverage and everything else, if you guys normally made a group DSC call thing or not? I'm still learning about them.

We do use handheld VHF radios as walkie talkies while in Bimini. The July group will have a daily radio chat around 9:00 to discuss the water conditions and daily activities.

MMSI numbers are primarily used to report distress. They also can be used to locate boats that respond to requests for their location via MMSI. They are not used to call your friends. VHF is like an old party line phone where everyone hears everyone’s conversation.

 

[BigAbe75]

MMSI numbers are primarily used to report distress. They also can be used to locate boats that respond to requests for their location via MMSI. They are not used to call your friends. VHF is like an old party line phone where everyone hears everyone’s conversation.

Unless I’ve misunderstood the reading and tutorials that I’ve watched recently, dsc capable devices can use the mmsi number to initiate non distress calls. The dsc will send a call to a specific mmsi, upon answering both radios switch to the channel provided by the initiator. The doc I was reading actually referred to it as cell phone type calling where you initiate the call 1 to 1, then switch to the vhf channel to have the conversation.

Have I misunderstood?

 

[Berrie]

It can work like that, but who wants to go through that much trouble?
Just call them on the group channel.

 

[DieselCamel]

 

[Bruce]

@BigAbe75, some radios support such features. On land most of us will not have DSC or MMSI capable radios.

We will have group specific channels for the crossing to limit confusing conversation.

Once we arrive in Bimini we will all switch to channel 69 and use that frequency for group communications. It is a great way to hear where someone is going and arrange to tag along.

The locals use channel 68 so if you need a taxi switch to that channel and see who responds.

 

[Sbrown]

Unless I’ve misunderstood the reading and tutorials that I’ve watched recently, dsc capable devices can use the mmsi number to initiate non distress calls. The dsc will send a call to a specific mmsi, upon answering both radios switch to the channel provided by the initiator. The doc I was reading actually referred to it as cell phone type calling where you initiate the call 1 to 1, then switch to the vhf channel to have the conversation.

Have I misunderstood?

You've pretty much got it. DSC and MMSI's can do that and so much more. You can get your buddy's location right on your chartplotter without ever even picking up the Mic. The problem here is not very many people are familiar with the uses of DSC beyond distress signaling. This lack of knowledge causes people to minimize the usefulness of it. I find it very useful when I'm trying to find somebody on the Bay who may not be able to respond to their radio. Like when my uncle, who is a commercial crabber, is out crabbing. If he's in the middle of a run, he's not going to answer his vhf. I can get a fix on him just by pulling his MMSI and requesting location. Pops right up on my chartplotter.

With all that being said, if not enough people set up their radios properly with regards to their MMSI, then having their number won't really be useful, other than distress usage, anyway.

 

[Betik]

My main concern is that the screen is so small that is really hard to do anything while the boat is rocking and you are trying to maintain course .

 

[Sbrown]

My main concern is that the screen is so small that is really hard to do anything while the boat is rocking and you are trying to maintain course .

Actually, you would set up the info before we even left, and done properly, the entire flotilla could be polled and displayed on everybody's chartplotter, making it easier, not harder, to keep track of all the boats positions without having to see them visually. So in 2017, some of you had a hard time keeping track of the boats around you due to limited visibility during the storm. With the flotilla polled and displayed, this wouldn't have been an issue. I'm sure your chartplotter screen is a lot bigger than your VHF screen.

 

[Berrie]

Actually, you would set up the info before we even left, and done properly, the entire flotilla could be polled and displayed on everybody's chartplotter, making it easier, not harder, to keep track of all the boats positions without having to see them visually. So in 2017, some of you had a hard time keeping track of the boats around you due to limited visibility during the storm. With the flotilla polled and displayed, this wouldn't have been an issue. I'm sure your chartplotter screen is a lot bigger than your VHF screen.

Most do not have a chart plotter, or utilize the smallest plotter they can find, which may not have NMEA2000 capability.
The reason some were temporarily lost is because their handheld radio did not reach to shore. In that case may not reach shore either.

 

[Sbrown]

Most do not have a chart plotter, or utilize the smallest plotter they can find, which may not have NMEA2000 capability.
The reason some were temporarily lost is because their handheld radio did not reach to shore. In that case may not reach shore either.

Sorry, but I think you're missing the point. I'm not referring to the boats that ran out of fuel and got lost. I'm referring to the limited visibility during the storms. Reaching shore has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm talking about.

Anyway, group mmsi would be something that would help group leaders keep track of their flock at a glance. If some people don't want to be part of that, great. Those of us who recognize the advantages and want to utilize it can do so. Those who don't want to don't have to.