Planning a Bimini run. How to check for weather?

[Amar Nanduri]

Hi @Bruce We are planning to do a Bimini run the coming weekend from Miami or Ft Lauderdale if the weather holds good. What apps do you recommend to check the weather and find out an optimal time for the crossing. Plan is to start either on Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday morning from Miami/Ft Lauderdale and start back to Miami on Sunday afternoon/evening.

Cheers
Amar

 

[Bruce]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/preparing-for-bimini.3800/#weather

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Thanks @Bruce

 

[Bruce]

The wind is unfortunate.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Will this be bad crossing for a 36 footer ?

 

[Bruce]

Will this be bad crossing for a 36 footer ?

36 feet is still a small boat.

If the wind direction changes it will get very messy out there.

 

[robert843]

Will this be bad crossing for a 36 footer ?

It won’t be a fun crossing on any boat. Should a 36 ft boat make it across in those conditions yes if I had the choice would I cross in them nope. Even once you get there if the wind is forecasted to hold for your duration of travel it won’t be a fun time there and honestly not worth the effort or money to do the trip I would just hold for a better forecast.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

It won’t be a fun crossing on any boat. Should a 36 ft boat make it across in those conditions yes if I had the choice would I cross in them nope. Even once you get there if the wind is forecasted to hold for your duration of travel it won’t be a fun time there and honestly not worth the effort or money to do the trip I would just hold for a better forecast.

Thank you guys. The main reason for the trip is to get a cruising permit. We were specifically told that the boat has to enter USA from a foreign shore in order to get a cruising permit. In my opinion this is nuts but rules are rules. I thought we can make a quick weekend Bimini trip and come back and have the cruising permit in hand. Looks like we might have to wait for the wind to die down or pick another weekend

 

[rkgdmd]

DO NOT expect waves to be less than three feet with winds close to 20. Expect double that. I have found all those apps absolutely suck with wave height prediction. That being said, I respectfully disagree with @Bruce. 10-12 years ago a 36 footer was considered a monster boat. Today, it's still a pretty damn big boat, it's just that 36 footers have been dwarfed by center consoles that are 40 and 50 feet or more. There are some (definitely not me) that would say if you can't make Bimimi in a 36 footer, you shouldn't be boating. Lol. It's always best to err on the side of safety. If you've never made the crossing, wait for the ideal weather window. Always nice to have a little experience under your belt before taking something like that on. Good luck!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

The propulsion specs of the 36’ boat would help in determination as well as the specific make and model.

This is not the time of year to expect a fair crossing. The tropics are very active and tossing storms our way one after the other.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

It is a 2011 Formula 350 SS. Thanks

 

[Bruce]

She is a beautiful boat.

Having spent a lot of time in Bimini without the group I have had many conversations about pounding waves with 45’, 50’ and even 62’ boat owners.

The stream is rough most of the time. Even with 36’ I would plan for nice water.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

I appreciate the advice. I think we will stick to the Miami , Ft Lauderdale and Keys area this weekend. If the winds die down in the next couple of days then might do the run.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Those Formulas are a little high center gravity and would be a hell of a ride!

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Those Formulas are a little high center gravity and would be a hell of a ride!

As compared to a Yamaha 24 footer ?
Experienced 2017 crossing. My very first one and it is a hell of a ride.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

It looks like my crew is gunning for Bimini this weekend. I guess they want excitement. Fingers crossed the weather doesn’t get worse.

 

[Wisefam22]

It looks like my crew is gunning for Bimini this weekend. I guess they want excitement. Fingers crossed the weather doesn’t get worse.

Enjoy, I'll be floating by you... on a carnival ship doing a quick 5 day to Bahamas nassau and half moon cay

 

[Betik]

Dam Amar you will give us all a heart attack

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Dam Amar you will give us all a heart attack

Hope not @Betik
It will be an interesting few hours though.

 

[Wisefam22]

Have an inreach so track the trip??