Sailing to Bimini and then to Berry Islands Bahamas

[Blowboater1]

Your Choice of May is wise. You should be able to dodge the cold fronts there & back. June although in the Hurricane season would even be better for crossing. You will have a trip of a lifetime.Fresh Water & charging batteries will need to be considered.A moderate Solar system will keep up your systems needs.
Be Blessed
Ed & Bonnie
26 M

[cptron]

I was answering Capinmike on a pm and came up with these bits of information that I wanted to share with everyone if you are planning on tagging along with us.

The 1st thing that I would like to see is that everyone that joins this trip have all necessary safety equipment aboard. You are the captain of your vessel therefore you will be responsible for everyones safety so the decision will be yours when it comes to crossing the gulf streem or anything else pertaining to your vessel. This is said because every one has different levels of experience and capabilities.
The 2nd thing is research and be as prepared as you possibly can be and then do more research.
As far as the navigation, when traveling with some one else it allows one little comfort knowing you are headed in the direction they are. I recommend having at least 2 and possibly 3 navigational devices on board. ie... Chart plotter, hand held GPS, electronic notebook, paper charts with compass etc...

I don't want to dissuade anyone from joining us however I don't want anyone pressured into any decissions, others may make, that they are uncomfortable with. I just want us to have a safe and fun sail over and around the Bahamas.

The adventure is in the journy but not always the destination.

[BlueJay]

Sounds like fun. I went to the Abacos last winter for three months. May would be a lot better time of year. When the fronts come it blows like stink for days. I carrried 21 gals of water and always had plenty. I carried 30 gals of fuel and never used more than half. Dont bring a ton of food. Everywhere you go, people have to eat I found that i mostly motored going east and south. Did a lot more sailing coming back.
When i crossed to the Bahamas the forecast was for 10-12 knts from the S.E. In the stream it was actually 15-18knts gusting to 20 something. Seas 4ft. and sometimes 6ft. On the way back it was flat calm. Wait for flat calm. I found the garmin charts to be very acurate on my chart plotter. It takes some getting used to reefs and rocks not being marked. Big pucker factor
Look online and start the process to get a local boaters card. It will make checking in a breeze when you get back. I went for my interview with customs in Miami before i left. Also the rum is cheap, but not the mixers.

[Ixneigh]

The Content key area of the middle and lower Keys is very similar to the Bahamas, and much closer. That said, I cant wait to get back to the Bahamas again, and it seems like it might be fun to cruise in the company of people with the same boats.
Dont know if Ill be able to go on this trip though
Ix

[DaveB]

Yep, read on with people who have done it in a Mac.
Ck archives on this site for many trips to Bahamas and Dry Tortugis.

http://www.conchcruisers.net/
Many of others have done it with a Mac.
Do a research or I can direct some of my info to you.
I have done most of the Bahamas for 6 mo. coming back from my 3 year Carribean cruise.
Dave

Sounds like south dade is the place. I looked it up on the charts and map and it looks like the perfect place to where I want to launch from. Also sounds like my rig will be safe until my return.
We are definitely going in May, 2014 just haven't decided on the first 3 or last 3 weeks. Will probably try for first 3 weeks off work first or if we can get a concensus going on which would be better for a group then I am willing to listen.

Does any one know of a internet sight that other trailer sailers might want to join?

[DaveB]

SE wind is great coming back, quarter wind on ya stearn both sheets to the wind. Hard to barf over the quarter without spilling ya guts to others aboard.
Hold it in and hope she jibs so ya can barf proper.
If not come abt, and barf on the leeward side. Just let the Capt. know your about to spill it.
He probably already knows,
Dave

Sounds like fun. I went to the Abacos last winter for three months. May would be a lot better time of year. When the fronts come it blows like stink for days. I carrried 21 gals of water and always had plenty. I carried 30 gals of fuel and never used more than half. Dont bring a ton of food. Everywhere you go, people have to eat I found that i mostly motored going east and south. Did a lot more sailing coming back.
When i crossed to the Bahamas the forecast was for 10-12 knts from the S.E. In the stream it was actually 15-18knts gusting to 20 something. Seas 4ft. and sometimes 6ft. On the way back it was flat calm. Wait for flat calm. I found the garmin charts to be very acurate on my chart plotter. It takes some getting used to reefs and rocks not being marked. Big pucker factor
Look online and start the process to get a local boaters card. It will make checking in a breeze when you get back. I went for my interview with customs in Miami before i left. Also the rum is cheap, but not the mixers.

[BlueJay]

I think i will toss my hat in the ring. I am not sure i can wait untill May, April would be better, but i think it will work out.
When i was in the Abacos i was alone. I think it would be alot more fun with others.
Things i would suggest to have. Fender boards,you will be lying on pillings. Long dock lines, i carry at least two 50 footers. And be able to rig spring lines. I have cleats that attach to my genoa tracks for that and they work out great. The bottom sucks for anchoring. You will want to be able to throw down some serious metal. I had 30 ft. of chain on my rodes and will add another 20. I have a 23 lb. delta and a 12 lb. danforth. They both worked great. The in vouge anchor out there was the ronca. If i were to buy an anchor for this trip, that is the one i would get. As big as you can manage. I never used a bahamian moor. I never saw anybody using it. I also have a PLB. It is a cheap ace in the hole. If anyone wants to take a dog or cat, as i did, you will need to send away to Nasua for a import permit. Its not to early to start things like that. I have a small solar panel. Between that and how much i ran my engine anyways, i always had plenty of power. Bring distilled water for your batteries. I went through 2 gals. whlie i was there. When you run your engine alot, you will cook a alot of water. If your budget allows have a nice dingy with outboard. Mine has a aluminium floor and a 2 hp honda. The 2 hp fits on the cockpit floor just fine, and it is light enough to lift on and off the dingy. I towed my dingy the whole time. Even across the stream.

[Sea Wind]

I think i will toss my hat in the ring. I am not sure i can wait untill May, April would be better, but i think it will work out.
When i was in the Abacos i was alone. I think it would be alot more fun with others.
Things i would suggest to have. Fender boards,you will be lying on pillings. Long dock lines, i carry at least two 50 footers. And be able to rig spring lines. I have cleats that attach to my genoa tracks for that and they work out great. The bottom sucks for anchoring. You will want to be able to throw down some serious metal. I had 30 ft. of chain on my rodes and will add another 20. I have a 23 lb. delta and a 12 lb. danforth. They both worked great. The in vouge anchor out there was the ronca. If i were to buy an anchor for this trip, that is the one i would get. As big as you can manage. I never used a bahamian moor. I never saw anybody using it. I also have a PLB. It is a cheap ace in the hole. If anyone wants to take a dog or cat, as i did, you will need to send away to Nasua for a import permit. Its not to early to start things like that. I have a small solar panel. Between that and how much i ran my engine anyways, i always had plenty of power. Bring distilled water for your batteries. I went through 2 gals. whlie i was there. When you run your engine alot, you will cook a alot of water. If your budget allows have a nice dingy with outboard. Mine has a aluminium floor and a 2 hp honda. The 2 hp fits on the cockpit floor just fine, and it is light enough to lift on and off the dingy. I towed my dingy the whole time. Even across the stream.

BlueJay,
Are you in Casa Rio? It would be nice to catch up sometime.

[BlueJay]

I am on the South River by the bridge. I have used Casa Rio b4 though.

[Sea Wind]

Ron,
This sounds like a great trip, but with three kids under 6 it would have to be a solo trip. The other problem is that my tow vehicle is also the family vehicle, so wife would not be happy alone with three kids and a Mustang. I will have to think about logistics or see if any other solo Captains are willing to take another Mac sailor or take my boat with someone else’s tow beast.
In any case, I could probably only stay for around a week, so please keep us posted when you have a plan for the three weeks.
Pedro

[welleducate]

I would like to go on this trip. I was fleet captain with 8 boats when I went last. We launched at Homestead Bayfront Park. It has a huge parking area with 9 launch ramps. Then went to Atlantic through Angelfish inlet. It is far enough south to not have to fight the Gulf Stream so much. Smallest boat in group was a 17' Wright Potter. we cruised about 5 mph and took 14 hours to cross. Wind was NE but was less than 5 knots. Great trip. I recommend everyone to do it at least once.

[cptron]

just to update everyone. We still won't here about our vacation until end of Jan. but we are putting in for the following dates;
Choice 1: May 04 – May 24, 2014;
Choice 2: May 11 – May 31, 2014;
Choice 3: April 27 – May 17, 2014;
We have charts on our tablet, phone, explorer paper charts and Lowrance. We have our cruising guide and all our safety gear is up to date. All I can do now is research, research, research and dream of finally going.

[DaveB]

Your dates are subject to a open window weather.Bahama entry fees are $150 it includes fishing.(have a Passport, they no longer excepts drivers lic.)
Sometimes you can wait 10 days or more for right conditions to cross the Gulfs 52-65 mile passage, and that's also on your return.
Have you ever cruised Biscane Bay cristal clear waters and the islands?
The many Reefs is a must snorkel .
Leaving Homestead Marina will cost many more than to leave at South Dade Marina ($10 a day for launch/storage of Truck and trailor)
Pennikamp is also a nice place to launch. Small marina with 110 hookup for AC for those who have Hatch AC. Last time was there cost was $35 a day with AC hookup. Short distance to the reefs.
Dave

just to update everyone. We still won't here about our vacation until end of Jan. but we are putting in for the following dates;
Choice 1: May 04 – May 24, 2014;
Choice 2: May 11 – May 31, 2014;
Choice 3: April 27 – May 17, 2014;
We have charts on our tablet, phone, explorer paper charts and Lowrance. We have our cruising guide and all our safety gear is up to date. All I can do now is research, research, research and dream of finally going.

[cptron]

Just to keep everyone interested, we have turned in our applications for our passports this week. Still waiting for the district office to inform us as to when our vacation will be so we can nail down the dates. I have been doing research for provisioning in the Bahamas If you are interested in going I would suggest googling "provisioning for sailing to bahamas" as they have some wonderful information that we are surely going to use. One thing I might suggest is to bring reading material or games for those times that you could be stuck in the cabin.
Some things we are planning are Leaving Angelfish creek prior to dawn to make Bimini during early afternoon to have time to explore some before heading on over to the Berry's. Then head across the Geat Bahama Bank and spend the night out star gazing then up early to sail on into Bullocks harbor to the North or depending on prevailing winds, Chub Cay to the south.
Planning on doing alot of beach hopping and snorkeling and the rest is up to whatever!!!!

[SENCMac26x]

Looking forward to hearing about it, hopefully I can use you as a resource before I make the trip in a few years!