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

[Mainah]

@Bruce thanks for that. In case others are wrestling with what to do with large loads here is where I landed.

-6 crew on my boat totaling about 900lbs
-Have an unlimited gold Boat US water towing membership and unlimited trailer assist as well
- Picking up a 14 gallon fuel caddy and high flow shake siphon tonight
-Going to make the wheels removable with pins, make sure all fittings are leak proof to my standard, and vent only vents air
-Will run straps under the clean out hatch, make sure latches are tight and strap the fuel caddy over it
-Lectrotab kit with auto controller is on order which should help will fuel economy and a smoother ride for the family
- Was not cheap but Russ at Lectrotab is great to work with
- Thanks to @bronze_10, @Betik, and @swatski for getting me off the fence for this mod

Per usual this community is a great influence on my decisions and a poor influence on my wallet.

 

[Bruce]

Will run straps under the clean out hatch, make sure latches are tight and strap the fuel caddy over it

Some years the seaweed is thick around Port Everglades. Can you position that fuel caddy to maintain access to the clean out ports?

 

[Mainah]

Some years the seaweed is thick around Port Everglades. Can you position that fuel caddy to maintain access to the clean out ports?

Good to know. I will be able to move it to the lower deck easily if access to the clean outs is needed but I think that the upper swim deck is best place to put it given the ability to securely strap it there, its weight, its contents, its padded by the cushions, I am going to put something under it to prevent chaffing the cushions, and that it will be directly over the hinge point of the boat. With 6 crew in the main cabin it is going to be cramped there already.

 

[Betik]

Good to know. I will be able to move it to the lower deck easily if access to the clean outs is needed but I think that the upper swim deck is best place to put it given the ability to securely strap it there, its weight, its contents, its padded by the cushions, I am going to put something under it to prevent chaffing the cushions, and that it will be directly over the hinge point of the boat. With 6 crew in the main cabin it is going to be cramped there already.

In terms of securing the fuel, I agree that you the hatch is better position for securing. But in all honesty, there are pros and cons.
I will be hesitant to extent the time with inoperable engines. On top of that, moving 14 gallon of fuel in potential 5 foot waves could be a handful.
if I had to chose loosing a fuel tank in the ocean and running out of fuel 10 miles from Bimini VS. getting swamped 2 miles from Port Everglades, I would rather deal with lack of fuel in calmer water and close to Bimini. In 2017 multiple boats run of fuel and eventually they all were able to enjoy Bimini. However in 2015 the swamped boats never made it.

 

[Mainah]

In terms of securing the fuel, I agree that you the hatch is better position for securing. But in all honesty, there are pros and cons.
I will be hesitant to extent the time with inoperable engines. On top of that, moving 14 gallon of fuel in potential 5 foot waves could be a handful.
if I had to chose loosing a fuel tank in the ocean and running out of fuel 10 miles from Bimini VS. getting swamped 2 miles from Port Everglades, I would rather deal with lack of fuel in calmer water and close to Bimini. In 2017 multiple boats run of fuel and eventually they all were able to enjoy Bimini. However in 2015 the swamped boats never made it.

So what you are really saying is I NEED one of these ...


I will have to give the getting swapped issue some serious thought given the seas forecast the day of.

 

[tim h]

https://www.amazon.com/Gastapper-El...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ED6PXVSPAA8AG47Z0CG7

This may come in handy to those with smaller gas tanks...
or to increase your range coupled with a fuel bladder.

 

[Mainah]

I just bought this https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200325161_200325161
and this https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200639248_200639248
in the store yesterday and used a 20% upon I got in the mail on top of it. A bit over 100 bucks for both together. The fuel cap is very well designed and you can shut off the vent completely if wanted. The 2 gpm flow rate of the handle that comes with the caddy is awful which is why I got the 10 gpm shake siphon. I filled the caddy at Costco in the back of my truck right after picking it up last night. Was a lot easier to lift down from the truck bed than I thought. I think my at the dock fills will be much faster now. I may even pick up a second caddy and ditch my vp race jugs all together.

 

[robert843]

For the last two years on the Exuma and Abaco trip we just used gas cans that fit behind the captains and passenger seat with no issues. The are out in the open so no fume build up and no straps to undo.

 

[Hector]

Is there anyone staying in Bimini extra days? I want to stay Thru Monday but will be open to a Sunday or Tuesday return if there is at least one other staying over. I don’t have an issue returning on my own but a wingman would be great.
Reply or pm me if there is others with similar plans.

 

[Berrie]

Is there anyone staying in Bimini extra days? I want to stay Thru Monday but will be open to a Sunday or Tuesday return if there is at least one other staying over. I don’t have an issue returning on my own but a wingman would be great.
Reply or pm me if there is others with similar plans.

I don't know yet. We may opt to stay another day, sleep on the boat, and leave Sunday morning, but I won't know probably until we're there.

 

[Berrie]

So to all who would ever consider a "minivan"...
They are great if you like to just cruise, spend the night on the water, or even fish a little.

They are not so great to tow. And with a wide beam, it is an outright pain in the keester.
Need a permit for every state you drive through. Every state has different requirements. Some it is all online (way to go FL!). Some mail you a paper permit (get with the program, GA!). Some require an ACORD insurance file with the state (WTF, TN & AR?!?!?). Some require half a million in liability insurance (It's just a f'ing boat, MS!). Some states you cannot tow on the weekends (WTF FL?!?!?) You have to enter every weigh station you get to. You can only tow during daylight.

OK, end of rant. The beautiful waters of Bimini will make up for it all.

 

[bronze_10]

That's even for a not for higher tow? I am assuming because u r over 10 thousand pounds? How wide is your mini van.. We want one after the kids are done tubing.

 

[Speedling]

That's even for a not for higher tow? I am assuming because u r over 10 thousand pounds? How wide is your mini van.. We want one after the kids are done tubing.

Yeah seems odd. I have the class c or whatever your state may call it butnot a cdl. I am good from my understanding up to 26,000 but some say that's truck and trailer, some say it's just trailer, some say it's up to the officer ticketing you, but i say there is no way i am driving 26k of truck and 26k of trailer. I get to about 24k regularly and after that would hire a semi.
Which makes me wonder if it would have been better to hire an over the road cdl driver to haul for you and make him a friend for next time?

 

[Berrie]

That's even for a not for higher tow? I am assuming because u r over 10 thousand pounds? How wide is your mini van.. We want one after the kids are done tubing.

Anything over a beam of 8'6 requires an oversize permit. In most states rules apply as I posted, except that in FL between 8'6 and 10' you are allowed to tow weekends. Also, permits are $5/day or $20 for an annual. This is for FL north of Florida City. South of Florida City it gets all screwed up (towing ONLY at night, need an escort over 10' etc). Also required are OVERSIZE banners front and back, red flags on all 4 corners. In FL you also need red flags at the widest point of the rig, and you are required to run amber strobe lights front and back. In GA you can only run strobe lights with an additional strobe light permit. (go figure).

Above 10' (I'm 10'6), FL does not allow weekend towing, a day permit is $20, and an annual is $500.

Almost all states do not allow towing on Sundays, or on Holidays, in some states not on Holiday weekends.

Weight is irrelevant. Width is the only thing that counts.

With a center console with up to a 9'6 beam, most people don't get a permit because they don't look that wide, and get away with it. With a "minivan" it's a little more tricky. In FL and GA you probably can get away with it.
However, the fines are commercial grade fines (like, in the thousands), so it is a risk.

South of Florida City, going to the Keys, there are a few cops that know boats REALLY well, and WILL pull you over when you're over 8'6, even if you have a permit. That's all they do, every day, 24/7.

Oh, and you cannot tow with a vehicle with a DOT#.
Also, keep the GVWR (NOT the actual weight) below 26,000lbs. Over 26,000lbs you need a Class E or F license depending on your state (not to be confused with a CDL).

 

[bronze_10]

I have a class a cdl. . The 26000 pounds limit is a federal limit for both the combined vehicle. . U reach 26001 pound u better have some level of cdl. How wide is your boat? It may be different now but it use to be anything less than 10 foot 5 inches was not considered wide load. 10 foot 6 inches and u were in wide load territory. Anything wide load is subject to dot regulations.

If u are over 10 thousand pounds and hauling for commerce u need a dot number. But hauling your own property not wide load I would need to study on for a while to figure it out..... Or make a phone call!

 

[tim h]

When I lived in Wisconsin I drove to Florida to purchase my boat on spring break.
I spent an entire day getting all of the permits from all of the states between Florida and Wisconsin. So I could bring the boat home without worry.
No fun !
4 cross country trips back and forth later. I may or may not have gotten all or some of the required permits for said voyages. Now I’m living in Florida, they see boats as big or bigger than mine being trailered on the roadways every day. They don’t seem to raise a brow... But I have heard that they really like to see extra tie-down straps. Which I do. I have seen boats with 6 straps on them. Total overkill, but likely never bothered by the 5-o. I tended to travel when the roads were least crowded if possible.

On a side note , make darn sure your tires are inflated properly !
Changing a tire on a big ole boat trailer in 90 degree heat, while traffic is doing 85 mph three feet away from you, texting away, sucks donkey Richard.

Do what your comfortable with on the permits and drive times , but it’s not necessarily enforced equally state to state.
Just my .02

 

[bronze_10]

Anything over a beam of 8'6 requires an oversize permit. In most states rules apply as I posted, except that in FL between 8'6 and 10' you are allowed to tow weekends. Also, permits are $5/day or $20 for an annual. This is for FL north of Florida City. South of Florida City it gets all screwed up (towing ONLY at night, need an escort over 10' etc). Also required are OVERSIZE banners front and back, red flags on all 4 corners. In FL you also need red flags at the widest point of the rig, and you are required to run amber strobe lights front and back. In GA you can only run strobe lights with an additional strobe light permit. (go figure).

Above 10' (I'm 10'6), FL does not allow weekend towing, a day permit is $20, and an annual is $500.

Almost all states do not allow towing on Sundays, or on Holidays, in some states not on Holiday weekends.

Weight is irrelevant. Width is the only thing that counts.

With a center console with up to a 9'6 beam, most people don't get a permit because they don't look that wide, and get away with it. With a "minivan" it's a little more tricky. In FL and GA you probably can get away with it.
However, the fines are commercial grade fines (like, in the thousands), so it is a risk.

South of Florida City, going to the Keys, there are a few cops that know boats REALLY well, and WILL pull you over when you're over 8'6, even if you have a permit. That's all they do, every day, 24/7.

Oh, and you cannot tow with a vehicle with a DOT#.
Also, keep the GVWR (NOT the actual weight) below 26,000lbs. Over 26,000lbs you need a Class E or F license depending on your state (not to be confused with a CDL).

For some reason o was remembering 10 6 but 8 6 wide makes more sense..

 

[Berrie]

Yeah seems odd. I have the class c or whatever your state may call it butnot a cdl. I am good from my understanding up to 26,000 but some say that's truck and trailer, some say it's just trailer, some say it's up to the officer ticketing you, but i say there is no way i am driving 26k of truck and 26k of trailer. I get to about 24k regularly and after that would hire a semi.
Which makes me wonder if it would have been better to hire an over the road cdl driver to haul for you and make him a friend for next time?

In almost all states you can tow with a Class C if your combined GVWR is 26,000 or less. So you can have an F-250 with 10,000lbs GVWR, and put an 11,000lbs boat on a 15,000lbs GVWR trailer, and you're good. Put your 500lbs aluminum flats boat on an 18,000lbs GVWR trailer, and you need a Class E or F.
And because it is confusing, there are some officers that do not know the rules and write you a ticket even though you are legal. If you live 500 miles away, are you going to court over a $250 ticket? Probably not, and they know it....

 

[bronze_10]

Hell how wide is a normal yammie? Isn't it 8' 6"?

 

[bronze_10]

In nc its a class a, b, or c drivers license (anything upto 26k) and then a class a, b, or c cdl. (Over 26k).. Full disclosure. . I have not driven commercially for 15 years but I maintained my cdl