JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016

[Bruce]

@IvanS, a 20 gallon fuel tank would be great if are going to plumb it for transfer. If not multiple 5 gallon tanks would be easier to handle. If you are going with a single tank Moeller offers a 24 gallon tank for around $210.

@tim2808 had a successful trip with four adults in his 192 in 2014. He has posted about how they packed and fuel consumption several times so you will find interesting reading amongst his posts.

The 192s are the only boats going that need to bring extra fuel.

 

[shane hric]

I am planing on doing the trip with my family, wife and 2 kiddos (6) and (9). I live in Fort Worth, TX so I will investigate what would be the best route and all the logistics to get to Fort Lauderdale. Me and my wife are going to sit down today and read all the posts (see pics and videos of previous trips) so she can feel more informed. I mentioned we were crossing the Bermuda's Triangle and she got scared
I would like to find a spare tire for my trailer, a portable 20gal gas tank and maybe a jack and 2x4s for the trip. I cant wait to sit down this afternoon and read all the threads about Bimini.
I'm very excited about this trip and I hope I can join you guys in this awesome journey.

Welcome to the 2016 Bimini Trip! The more kids the merrier, my daughter Olivia is 4.

 

[Bruce]

Welcome to the 2016 Bimini Trip! The more kids the merrier, my daughter Olivia is 4.

@IvanS

Yes, the more kids the more fun they will have. We are bringing our 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. Our kids love Bimini and talk about it all year.

 

[IvanS]

Thank you guys! Im so exited. I will definitely take in consideration about the 5gal single tanks.
I know it will be a life changing experience for my kids, they enjoy the water as much as I do, they wait very anxious every boating season, and I know this trip would be the cherry on top of the ice cream.
Today I will start making the plans and doing the logistics in terms of gas for the truck, where I will be staying (hopefully somewhere in between) stuff to take etc. Also, I have to start my kids passport paperwork as soon as possible.

 

[Bruce]

@IvanS, we have a little bit shorter trip from Central Arkansas but a similar route. My plan which has worked well for us in past years is to tow to somewhere near Mobile on the 17th, then to Fort Pierce on the 18th. We stop at hotels that are near freeway exit ramps, typically Holiday Inns. Not booking roadside stops in advance gives us flexibility in each day's travel. As long as we are in Fort Lauderdale early on the 19th it does not matter how we break up the days before.

 

[RightStuff]

This trip is way out of range for my family to make, but I sure do love hearing about all the planning and ideas that come out of it.
Keep it up! I'm listening in on this just to live a little thru all of your escapades in the Bahamas...

 

[IvanS]

@Bruce Thanks for the tip. I agree with you, I will be better off staying at hotels near freeway exits and not booking in advance. OMG you guys dont have a clue how exited I am. My kids are going to go nuts when I tell them.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Welcome to the 2016 Bimini Trip! The more kids the merrier, my daughter Olivia is 4.

I am planing on doing the trip with my family, wife and 2 kiddos (6) and (9). I live in Fort Worth, TX so I will investigate what would be the best route and all the logistics to get to Fort Lauderdale. Me and my wife are going to sit down today and read all the posts (see pics and videos of previous trips) so she can feel more informed. I mentioned we were crossing the Bermuda's Triangle and she got scared
I would like to find a spare tire for my trailer, a portable 20gal gas tank and maybe a jack and 2x4s for the trip. I cant wait to sit down this afternoon and read all the threads about Bimini.
I'm very excited about this trip and I hope I can join you guys in this awesome journey.

@IvanS @shane hric here's a few videos of our trip this year. My daughter was 3 1/2 at the time. Your kids will have a great time, and you'll love making the memories with them.

 

[shane hric]

@IvanS @shane hric here's a few videos of our trip this year. My daughter was 3 1/2 at the time. Your kids will have a great time, and you'll love making the memories with them.

Awesome video and pics. I am sooo looking forward to this trip and meeting many of our club members in person!

 

[Bruce]

@IvanS, I suggest showing your kids this video then telling them you are going this summer.

Also this is my Daughter's essay about Bimini 2014 https://jetboaters.net/threads/emmas-bimini-2014-essay.4449/

 

[robert843]

This trip is way out of range for my family to make, but I sure do love hearing about all the planning and ideas that come out of it.
Keep it up! I'm listening in on this just to live a little thru all of your escapades in the Bahamas...

@RightStuff We have a member who has gone almost every year from Wi you could do it your probably only another 200 miles from him.

 

[wadeup]

@Bruce Thanks for the tip. I agree with you, I will be better off staying at hotels near freeway exits and not booking in advance. OMG you guys dont have a clue how exited I am. My kids are going to go nuts when I tell them.

Ivan we live about 80 miles southwest of you...I noticed someone from Frisco, Tx and Lake Conroe...we should try to caravan to Fort Lauderdale together! @wadeup is the captain of our boat.

 

[RightStuff]

@RightStuff We have a member who has gone almost every year from Wi you could do it your probably only another 200 miles from him.

I could, but 3600 miles round trip with the boat in tow just doesn't seem like much fun. Nevermind the time needed to make it round trip with young kids!

Would love to try a trip like this, just not the right time in my life. I am planning on being in FL later this year but that will be a Disney trip, not a boating trip.

 

[Bruce]

a Disney trip, not a boating trip.

We have done both. Bimini wins by a landslide!

 

[chris24]

Hmmmm...50,000 people with a mouse OR 10 people with a live stingray in your lap ??

 

[Bruce]

$400 a day in entry tickets to pay for parking to wait an hour to get into the park then wait 2 to 4 hours for each ride. When you get home your kids might talk about how much fun they had for a few weeks but will also talk about all the standing in line.

Versus

Wake up and admire the most beautiful ocean view you have ever seen out of your windows then walk down the steps to your boat, flip a coin to decide what amazing destination your are going to, grill some lunch on the water then head on to an even more amazing location. When it is time to go your family will beg you not to leave. They will spend the drive home planning to go back next year and talk about their wonderful experience all year long.

 

[tim2808]

@IvanS, a 20 gallon fuel tank would be great if are going to plumb it for transfer. If not multiple 5 gallon tanks would be easier to handle. If you are going with a single tank Moeller offers a 24 gallon tank for around $210.

@tim2808 had a successful trip with four adults in his 192 in 2014. He has posted about how they packed and fuel consumption several times so you will find interesting reading amongst his posts.

The 192s are the only boats going that need to bring extra fuel.

Your killing me @Bruce !! Always tagging me in these Bimini threads, lol.

Best & craziest trip you will ever do. And get to brag about for years to your other friends. We're still bragging about our 2014 trip. We took the "other" big ship over in 2015 for a few days because we love Bimini so much. We have tossed around the idea about going this year too..... And we are still discussing it. But thanks again Bruce for teasing me along here

 

[Bruce]

@tim2808, you can do it!!!!

 

[PEARCE]

I could, but 3600 miles round trip with the boat in tow just doesn't seem like much fun. Nevermind the time needed to make it round trip with young kids!

Would love to try a trip like this, just not the right time in my life. I am planning on being in FL later this year but that will be a Disney trip, not a boating trip.

We did Disney last summer and loved it. We even took our camper and stayed in it at the Ft. Wilderness campground. We are all still talking about how much fun it was and we wish we could go back soon. It was a complete surprise for the kids. They didn't know we were going till we were pulling into the gates. If you're staying in a Disney resort, which I highly recommend, look into the FastPass. It'll save you a ton of time. Also, look into meal plans if you haven't already. That'll save you a lot of money in the long run. We booked through a Disney vacation specialist a year out from the planned dates and it all worked out great. Got any questions feel free to contact me.

Hyjack over!

 

[Bruce]

I am still waiting for Bimini Sands to confirm that our discounted rate is approved. I have attached the 2015 rates which I have asked them to match and hopefully at a 15% tax rate. I will let you know as soon as the discount is ready. Please hold off on making reservations until our discount is approved. Everything in Bimini happens in Island Time which is great when you want to relax but not so when you are trying to plan. We had similar delays last year. If the staff does not get moving soon I know several condo owners who have offered to step in and help.

Once Bimini Sands has agreed I will contact Bahia Mar and arrange discounted slip rates. @upperdeck was able to work out a group rate with them last year so I believe we should be able to do so again.