JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016

[Bruce]

We pack our clothing in dry bags that we place in the ski locker. @MrMoose had drinks in his last year and was unhappy with the weight balance. In 2014 we carried drinks in the console which worked well. In 2015 we carried Gatorade powder and a couple of packs of Gatorade then refilled the bottles with local tap water.

 

[Bruce]

@solarman, what is your experience level with salt water boating? Do you know that two boats were swamped and had to be towed in last year? Do you have an EPIRB or other satellite messaging device on your boat? Do you have a fixed VHF? What about a chart plotter?

 

[Andy S]

We are Bimini Bound @Bruce staying in the hilton resorts world. Ariving the 23rd and leaving with the group on the 25th. I'm installing another bildge pump ( just in case). I have an epirb and mounted radio with GPS and I have a mounted Lowrance chart plotter on my 242. We will have 8 in the boat however we are traveling light due to the short stay. Does anyone empty the ski locker and fill it drinks and such to keep the weight down and centered on the boat? What channel will you be on once in Bimini when we get there?

@solarman, what is your experience level with salt water boating? Do you know that two boats were swamped and had to be towed in last year? Do you have an EPIRB or other satellite messaging device on your boat? Do you have a fixed VHF? What about a chart plotter?

 

[DieselCamel]

Starting to watch the weather this coming Tuesday is looking sporty

 

[Bruce]

In the words of LtC Hal Moore, "It 's getting pretty sporty"!



The current forecasting ends on the 11th. Fortunately it has calmed down by then. The forecasts for May have been worse that what I have remembered. Tuesday's forecast was up to 9.2' waves at one point. So I am nervous about what we will have for the crossing.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

We've been having some tropical weather moving through the Carribean and Southern Gulf. This latest round will be out of your way in time but you'll need to watch for more.

 

[swatski]

Hopefully we won't be forced into a plan B mode... Praying it won't get any worse at this point.

 

[Bruce]

staying in the hilton resorts world.

Just so you know, they are 30 minutes into a no wake zone with $500 cash fines for speeding. Was Bimini Sands full?

 

[robert843]

Hopefully we won't be forced into a plan B mode... Praying it won't get any worse at this point.

Isn't plan B to fly the women and children over and the men get out there and GET-R-DONE...

 

[Bruce]

I talked to @solarman and his family is experienced boating in the Gulf around Galveston. They plan to join us on Thursday and his boat is well prepared.

 

[Bruce]

Has everyone been preparing their customs paperwork?

We will pass out the Immigration Cards at the Captains Meeting. @chris24 was kind enough to get them for everyone crossing in our groups.

I highly recommend printing and completing the Bahamas Customs Clearance Forms before leaving home.

Customs fees are $150 per boat up to 35' Which covers up to 3 people. Additional people are $25 each. Please have exact cash.

CUSTOMS
Please remember to fill out the customs form (also attached). We also hope to have the immigration forms available at the captain's meeting. The custom's form needs to be completed by the master of the vessel. This form should be downloaded and filled out prior to departure. Each person/family needs to fill out the immigration form but cannot be downloaded. More info on customs/immigration can be found at Bahamas.com/boating or http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

@solarman, this is the customs info.

 

[DieselCamel]

We are Bimini Bound @Bruce staying in the hilton resorts world. Ariving the 23rd and leaving with the group on the 25th. I'm installing another bildge pump ( just in case). I have an epirb and mounted radio with GPS and I have a mounted Lowrance chart plotter on my 242. We will have 8 in the boat however we are traveling light due to the short stay. Does anyone empty the ski locker and fill it drinks and such to keep the weight down and centered on the boat? What channel will you be on once in Bimini when we get there?

Might want to look into this $300 fuel credit since your staying at Resort World

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-vacation-packages/fuel-credit-offer

 

[Bruce]

Might want to look into this $300 fuel credit since your staying at Resort World

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-vacation-packages/fuel-credit-offer

I believe I talked him into Bimini Sands. He would be be so isolated at Resorts World.

 

[solarman]

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS52.KMFL.html

@Bruce here is the buoy data for that area. There are lots of links on the left for more info.

 

[Bruce]

If anyone has kids or spouses that are nervous about the crossing @Rana, @Emma and @Gavin would be happy to talk with them and share their experiences.



This is Emma's essay about the 2014 trip https://jetboaters.net/threads/emmas-bimini-2014-essay.4449/

 

[MrMoose]

We pack our clothing in dry bags that we place in the ski locker. @MrMoose had drinks in his last year and was unhappy with the weight balance. In 2014 we carried drinks in the console which worked well. In 2015 we carried Gatorade powder and a couple of packs of Gatorade then refilled the bottles with local tap water.

Just to follow-up on @Bruce 's comments. The ski locker in my 2015 AR240 almost extends to the very front of the boat, and I had the whole locker filled with liquids (milk, gatorade, juice, and 15 gallons of fuel). Although it was port/starboard centered, it turned out to be too much weight in the bow for my liking. As @Bruce did last year, I'm replacing much of my liquid gatorade with powder. While in Bimini, each night, I'm going to freeze a bunch of half-full gatorade bottles, top them off in the morning, and use them in place of ice to keep my cooler cold. I'll probably top them off in the morning so the kids can drink them throughout the day.

 

[MrMoose]

Are you bringing your boat cover to Bimini? I brought mine last year and didn't use it. We got rain one night and I did not cover the boat because I thought that it could use a rinse. The reason that I'm considering bringing it again is because if we end up getting extended periods of rain, I don't want to run my battery down from the bilge pump running. I'm not planning on running shore power.

 

[Bruce]

Are you bringing your boat cover to Bimini? I brought mine last year and didn't use it. .... The reason that I'm considering bringing it again is because if we end up getting extended periods of rain, I don't want to run my battery down from the bilge pump running

I have not taken a cover in the past and will not in the future. I do not believe that I have seen anyone cover their boat in Bimini. The cover takes up space and adds a little weight to the boat. Most rain water will run out through the scupper without ever entering the bilge.

 

[swatski]

Thanks guys, you are amazing in addressing all pertinent questions in this thread!

I only bring the bow cover. It converts my 190 into a cabin cruiser - in one simple step .

--

 

[MrMoose]

Thanks guys, you are amazing in addressing all pertinent questions in this thread!

I only bring the bow cover. It converts my 190 into a cabin cruiser - in one simple step .

--

... and it keeps the waves out of your bow!