JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016

[Speedling]

Whew! And here I was worried about gas driving the boat over there!
You know.. that far, you could fly in and purchase a used vx110 or something and get over there, lol!
Seriously though, we talked about doing that with my dad who apparently gets sea sick really bad as soon as we stop moving.
I keep sending him links to ebay jet ski's of different sorts but he never bites, lol! My wife didn't think we should buy one for him to borrow either... bummer.

 

[Bruce]

@Majorsmackdown, are you really towing all the way from Portland to Fort Lauderdale? If so you definitely win the award for the longest tow?

 

[SFThoen]

So question, does everyone stay in a condo every night or do some people camp on an island? I would really like to camp but wanted to see what people typically do?

 

[DieselCamel]

I think everyone has stayed in a condo so far

 

[Andy S]

So question, does everyone stay in a condo every night or do some people camp on an island? I would really like to camp but wanted to see what people typically do?

On all the trips everyone has always stayed in a condo, not that dictates what you do. I do know that some beaches have sand fleas, especially the beach just south of the Bimini Sands.

 

[SFThoen]

On all the trips everyone has always stayed in a condo, not that dictates what you do. I do know that some beaches have sand fleas, especially the beach just south of the Bimini Sands.

Hmm thank you for the info! We are just trying to plan our sleeping arrangements this weekend. We just wanted to camp a couple of days but it sounds like that may be more of a pain.

 

[Andy S]

Fuel prices in and around the Bahamas, http://www.explorercharts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=53 . For those that haven't been there before, there are only two place to get fuel; Bimini Blue Water on North Bimini and Bimini Sands on South Bimini. These are the lowest prices I have every seen there, and currently almost half of the highest I've paid.

 

[Bruce]

So question, does everyone stay in a condo every night or do some people camp on an island? I would really like to camp but wanted to see what people typically do?

This trip is like camping in a furnished condo. You need to bring everything that you will need with you. The only thing that you can count on being available in Bimini is rum. Because we bring so much it would be a pain to move out and back into a condo.

As for camping on smaller islands that would have you out on your own ten or more miles from the rest of us. I do not want to scare anyone about Bimini and have always felt very safe there but it has not been that long since piracy and boat theft were common.

 

[robert843]

Hmm thank you for the info! We are just trying to plan our sleeping arrangements this weekend. We just wanted to camp a couple of days but it sounds like that may be more of a pain.

Everyone has made great posts about this but the biggest reason I would not camp on this trip is fatigue. You will be physical exhausted every single day by the end of the day from the hot sun, salt water and activities you do. By about 5-6pm everyday all I could start to think about was a quick dip in the fresh water pool, a shower and being able to relax. Camping would add to the fatigue. I have talked to several others who have thought about camping on this kind of trip and have only spoken to one who actually did it and they said they regretted not having a reservation the one night they camped and wouldn't do it again the others got luckier and were able to find lodging but all have admitted it was not nearly as appealing once in the Bahamas then it was before they left.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

How are the bugs on the island after sunset?

 

[Bruce]

How are the bugs on the island after sunset?

Before 2015 the bugs were terrible at Bimini Sands. Last year they got their extermination program right and bugs were not an issue.

I assume the bugs would eat you on any island that has fresh water but the islands with fresh water have homes, marinas, etc so they would not be open to camping.

@robert843, is 100% right about the exhaustion and need for a comfortable place to rest.

Also, I have been in the ocean in rough water at night once. It is much less fun than facing the same rough water in daylight.

 

[Bruce]

Who wants to go shark diving with Neal Watson?

 

[robert843]

Who wants to go shark diving with Neal Watson?

View attachment 34144

I look forward to your videos and pics but I believe I will pass. I love sharks behind glass in an aquarium but have no desire to try and be that up close and personal with them lol.

 

[SFThoen]

I

Who wants to go shark diving with Neal Watson?

View attachment 34144

I totally would!!! My husband not so much though.

 

[Bruce]

I look forward to your videos and pics but I believe I will pass. I love sharks behind glass in an aquarium but have no desire to try and be that up close and personal with them lol.

I triple dog dare you!!!

 

[robert843]

I triple dog dare you!!!

Lol I plan to swim with sharks this year but they will likely be nurse sharks. Hammer heads, Black tips and Bull sharks are not really my thing. I mean Im not saying for sure no just not likely. At least there are no chemicals in the ocean so if I wet myself no one will know.

 

[SFThoen]

@SFThoen , @javi , @cozilla we will all need to catch up. every year see more and more yamahas on Wylie. I love it.

What are you guys doing as far as driving down to FT. Lauderdale? We are trying to plan what day we want to get there.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Who wants to go shark diving with Neal Watson?

View attachment 34144

Pick me, pick me! We were on the big island for Christmas and on our first dive we saw a 14 foot hammerhead. It was fantastic!

 

[shane hric]

Who wants to go shark diving with Neal Watson?

View attachment 34144

Depending on the cost, I'm down for diving with Neal and the Sharks!

 

[Bruce]

What are you guys doing as far as driving down to FT. Lauderdale? We are trying to plan what day we want to get there.

We are driving into Fort Lauderdale the morning of the 19th. We will buy groceries and minimal last minute supplies, have lunch and then launch the boat and be at Bahia Mar with a full tank of gas before 5:30.


There is an agenda in the first post of this thread.

Other members are arriving at Bahia Mar earlier. Some as early as the 18th.