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Anyone cruised the Bahamas?
- Thread starter ryder
- Start date
A number of the C Dorys have cruised to the Bahamas. The trip is only 60 to 100 miles--but watch out for wind against current of the Gulf Stream--and pick a calm day and run over rapidly. There are times when even 50 footers have to wait weeks to get a good window--so be prepared to wait to get a time to run back. The C Dory, with the shoal draft is an excellent boat for the Bahamas. Get one of the Bahamas guides before comming down so that you have some idea of what the problems are. During the middle of the winter there will be hundreds of boats in the more popular harbors--but with the shoal draft, you can go places were no other dare tread! Be sure and get the proper charts. Many US NOAA charts are very much out of date--there are private charts--and some chart chips (such as C map) are updated with the private chart data base.
The late spring is more likely to be better weather when the Northers die down and the crossing is likely to be smoother. The further South you can go in the Winter, the more pleasant it will be.
The late spring is more likely to be better weather when the Northers die down and the crossing is likely to be smoother. The further South you can go in the Winter, the more pleasant it will be.
William and Beth Tucker
New member
Ryder to the bahamas: We took our 25 foot C-Dory to the Bahamaas,100 miles each way and burned 41 gallons of gas with twins 90 hp hondas...It took us 5 hours to go over and 5 hours comming back...We called the Bahama tourist board and they sponsor some trips which we did with them at a cost of $75.00 ..Plus they had us docks and partys going and comming.......By the way we are going this January with our neighbor and will be missing the boat show and the C-Brats in seattle...Keep your life jacket on ! tucker
thataway":jqlhqkxb said:A number of the C Dorys have cruised to the Bahamas.
Looking at a map of the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it seems to me that it would not be hard to island-hop from Florida to the Bahamas to the DR and so forth. Is this a crazy idea for a C-Dory cruise?
Warren
There is an excellent book by Bruce Van Sant--"Gentleman's Guide to Passages South". Could this passage be done in a C Dory--most likely. Would it be a comfortable passage? Probably not. Bruce wrote this book on sailing down the Caribbean with minimal over night passages and shortest distances, and least amount pounding into the trades. Bruce subsiquently went to a Trawler (Shucker 44--a sailboat hull with larger engine) and that boat is for sale; Bruce is in poor health, so there will probably be no further updates to his book. My copy is the first edition--and it is now in the 7th or 8th edition. The updates are guaged toward motor vessels as well as sailing.
The first mantra is "Wait for Weather"--this means a relitatively unlimited time frame. The second is let your landfall stage your departure--a very valuable lesson when cruising in the caribbean or any area with coral reefs, where one wants to enter harbors with the sun high overhead.
Basically one goes down the Bahamas Chain to San Salvador, then to Mayaguana, Turks and Caicos, finally Luperon, DR and Puerto Rico. Basic principles is stay in protected water as much as possiable, and avoid going directly into the trades. When you have to go into the trades--it should be when the winds and seas are down, often during the night hours. My time in these waters was in a 62 foot, 60,000 lb displacement motor sailor with a good sized diesel and range of several thousand miles--and there were times we were uncomfortable going into the waves (those times when we had to do this).
One has to make the assumption that the C Dory has a range of at least 200 miles. Most of the legs are less than 200 miles, but with wind and current to deal with, you need this reserve. Fuel may not always be easy to get. Remember that the trade winds blow consistantly across 2500 to 3000 miles of ocean unabated, and there is the chop of 18 to 25 knots on top of that. The trades do vary from Northerly and Southerly of due East, during the year and you want to try and do the passage when the Trades are South, to get better protection from the Islands.
Security is an issue--especially in Haiti. I would choose a CD 25 as the best boat to do this trip--but it probably would be done at lower speeds, because of the chop--the seas would be high enough that the Tom Cat would have to be run at lower speeds--and with these types of seas, there would be too much slap and slam. (typical 6 to 8 foot seas which are short and very choppy, with 20 knots of wind dead ahead)
If anyone is serious about doing this route--please contact me off list--because there are many details which have to be observed for a successful voyage.
The first mantra is "Wait for Weather"--this means a relitatively unlimited time frame. The second is let your landfall stage your departure--a very valuable lesson when cruising in the caribbean or any area with coral reefs, where one wants to enter harbors with the sun high overhead.
Basically one goes down the Bahamas Chain to San Salvador, then to Mayaguana, Turks and Caicos, finally Luperon, DR and Puerto Rico. Basic principles is stay in protected water as much as possiable, and avoid going directly into the trades. When you have to go into the trades--it should be when the winds and seas are down, often during the night hours. My time in these waters was in a 62 foot, 60,000 lb displacement motor sailor with a good sized diesel and range of several thousand miles--and there were times we were uncomfortable going into the waves (those times when we had to do this).
One has to make the assumption that the C Dory has a range of at least 200 miles. Most of the legs are less than 200 miles, but with wind and current to deal with, you need this reserve. Fuel may not always be easy to get. Remember that the trade winds blow consistantly across 2500 to 3000 miles of ocean unabated, and there is the chop of 18 to 25 knots on top of that. The trades do vary from Northerly and Southerly of due East, during the year and you want to try and do the passage when the Trades are South, to get better protection from the Islands.
Security is an issue--especially in Haiti. I would choose a CD 25 as the best boat to do this trip--but it probably would be done at lower speeds, because of the chop--the seas would be high enough that the Tom Cat would have to be run at lower speeds--and with these types of seas, there would be too much slap and slam. (typical 6 to 8 foot seas which are short and very choppy, with 20 knots of wind dead ahead)
If anyone is serious about doing this route--please contact me off list--because there are many details which have to be observed for a successful voyage.
Thanks for the replies. I don't want to do a carribean cruise in a boat the size of a c-dory. However putting around the bahama islands does interest me. My wife and i have been the bahamas a few times but never on our own boat. I have read alot about the crossing. As a mater of fact I have had a set of charts for the area for over 10 years. I was just curious if any other c-dorys had been there and I appreciate the replies.
Ryder
Ryder
Check out this thread and use the search tool for "Balhamas" for more threads on the subject. This is a good example why you should not be on any schedule when planning a trip to the Bahamas.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5969&highlight=bahamas
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5969&highlight=bahamas
Ryder,
Do it, it is my 1st and best reason to own a boat. We have crossed over to the Bahamas at least a dozen times . We have crossed the stream 4 time with the 22 ft. Hunky Dory. On labor day or memorial day weekend I have seen a dozen small boats waiting at West End in the Abacos for the sixty mile run back to Palm Beach.( open boats) Yup! you have to wait for a good weather window. Nothing out of the North. Don't totally believe what the weather report says. When they say 2 to 4 ft. seas. It can be as flat as a pancake. I get on the radio and ask others who are out there, what it is like. If they say it is good, we go out to see for ourselves. So far we have never had to turn back. Early morning is the best.
We have a schedule to meet my daughter and son in Law on Islamorada on the 10th of Feb. Than plan on going to the Bahamas. As I have said before on this site, " The wind clocks from the west to the north to the east to the south. Be ready to go when it is ready to turn to the south. (South wind helps flatten the stream)Only one time were we fooled. Mother nature done a Hillary Clinton on us. She flip flopped. She did a 180 from the south right to the North. It got a little lumpy that time.
With the twin 40's (Hondas) we made it across in three hours. If you head out of Palm Beach in the dark, say 4:00 am. You will see the lights of West End before it gets light. The crossing is a real joy to me. Maybe not so much for Dee.
Have patience, wait for a good window.
captd
Do it, it is my 1st and best reason to own a boat. We have crossed over to the Bahamas at least a dozen times . We have crossed the stream 4 time with the 22 ft. Hunky Dory. On labor day or memorial day weekend I have seen a dozen small boats waiting at West End in the Abacos for the sixty mile run back to Palm Beach.( open boats) Yup! you have to wait for a good weather window. Nothing out of the North. Don't totally believe what the weather report says. When they say 2 to 4 ft. seas. It can be as flat as a pancake. I get on the radio and ask others who are out there, what it is like. If they say it is good, we go out to see for ourselves. So far we have never had to turn back. Early morning is the best.
We have a schedule to meet my daughter and son in Law on Islamorada on the 10th of Feb. Than plan on going to the Bahamas. As I have said before on this site, " The wind clocks from the west to the north to the east to the south. Be ready to go when it is ready to turn to the south. (South wind helps flatten the stream)Only one time were we fooled. Mother nature done a Hillary Clinton on us. She flip flopped. She did a 180 from the south right to the North. It got a little lumpy that time.
With the twin 40's (Hondas) we made it across in three hours. If you head out of Palm Beach in the dark, say 4:00 am. You will see the lights of West End before it gets light. The crossing is a real joy to me. Maybe not so much for Dee.
Have patience, wait for a good window.
captd
capt said
Now that's what i wanted to hear.
Thanx
Ryder,
Do it, it is my 1st and best reason to own a boat
Now that's what i wanted to hear.
Thanx
Byrdman,
End of Feb sounds good to me. My kids will be on Islamorda until the 25th.
But if we put together a flotilla of C-Dorys, ECT. for later in March, that would be fine Too.... April and May are the better times to go and to be there. The winter breeze eases up some by then. Peanut Island is a nice place to hang around waiting for a good window to cross. ( Palm Beach)
Anyone else think they might be interested? If you like fishing , snorkeling, diving,or just plain exploring. Nippers and Petes pub would be on the agenda.
Anyone want to follow along on the charts. West End to Clear customs and top off fuel, around the top of Mangrove island, into Sail Cay anchorage, over to Allens Pensacola. Fox Town, Fish Cay and Moran cay. Powell Cay on to Man Jack, Green Turtle club with Black sound anchorage. Settlement Point ( nice little town ) Pass by Don't Rock, Great Iguana with Nippers, Marsh Harbor ( Supplies and fuel ) Man of War Cay, Hope town on down to Little Harbor ( Pete's Pub ) And thats not all................
Not necessarily in that order, but maybe you get the picture. Just to wet some interest.
captd
End of Feb sounds good to me. My kids will be on Islamorda until the 25th.
But if we put together a flotilla of C-Dorys, ECT. for later in March, that would be fine Too.... April and May are the better times to go and to be there. The winter breeze eases up some by then. Peanut Island is a nice place to hang around waiting for a good window to cross. ( Palm Beach)
Anyone else think they might be interested? If you like fishing , snorkeling, diving,or just plain exploring. Nippers and Petes pub would be on the agenda.
Anyone want to follow along on the charts. West End to Clear customs and top off fuel, around the top of Mangrove island, into Sail Cay anchorage, over to Allens Pensacola. Fox Town, Fish Cay and Moran cay. Powell Cay on to Man Jack, Green Turtle club with Black sound anchorage. Settlement Point ( nice little town ) Pass by Don't Rock, Great Iguana with Nippers, Marsh Harbor ( Supplies and fuel ) Man of War Cay, Hope town on down to Little Harbor ( Pete's Pub ) And thats not all................
Not necessarily in that order, but maybe you get the picture. Just to wet some interest.
captd
William and Beth Tucker":wruasem0 said:Ryder to the bahamas: We took our 25 foot C-Dory to the Bahamaas,100 miles each way and burned 41 gallons of gas with twins 90 hp hondas...It took us 5 hours to go over and 5 hours comming back...We called the Bahama tourist board and they sponsor some trips which we did with them at a cost of $75.00 ..Plus they had us docks and partys going and comming.......By the way we are going this January with our neighbor and will be missing the boat show and the C-Brats in seattle...Keep your life jacket on ! tucker
Do you have any more information on the $75 deal by the Bahama Tourist Board? We are going to be in Tavernier with our 25Dory after the 1st of the year. We'd like to join the flotilla going across if possible. We've got our passports, what else do we need to have? Do we need to apply for any permits before we head across? With temps below 0 last night, we are ready for some heat!!!
CPTD: yes, let's stay in touch. I am pretty flexible but have one or two items that have to be firmed up prior to inking the calendar. I have books inbound now. Feb-end of March/Apr timeframe sounds good to me. I can take about 3-4 weeks on this. I will have to be sure to be able to get there safely with weather windows, fly Sherryl over for a week, and be able to wait out another weather window for the return.
I will be taking a wall map/calendar up to the Seattle/Hawthorn Suit's gig Jan 23-26th 2008 to attempt to get a good feel for my 2008 travels. I know they will have some folks from the NE corner there too who have worked with those gatherings. Not sure any of our FL folks are signed up yet to open up some of those waters we have not yet traveled in the last couple of years...??
Byrdman
I will be taking a wall map/calendar up to the Seattle/Hawthorn Suit's gig Jan 23-26th 2008 to attempt to get a good feel for my 2008 travels. I know they will have some folks from the NE corner there too who have worked with those gatherings. Not sure any of our FL folks are signed up yet to open up some of those waters we have not yet traveled in the last couple of years...??
Byrdman
I believe that the current fee for the cruising permit for the Bahamas is $150 this includes: "The fee covers the cruising permit, fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges, and the $15.00 per person departure tax for up to four persons."
The proceedure for entry is: to fly the yellow Patique (Quaranteen) flag from the starboard radio antenna or some other staff above the cabin top, when within three miles of Bahama land. Notify the authorities of your arrival and no one goes ashore until cleared. If you happen to pass other islands before a port of entry--again do not go ashore until you have been cleared in. You will have to have a passport and fillout imigration papers when you arrive. Have a Bahamas Courtesy flag to fly after clearance. (We usually fly the courtesy flag as soon as in territorial waters) This is probably best flown from the bow staff or a starboard radio antenna. If you haven't cleared, it would be above the "Q" Flag. Also have a United States flag (not the yacht ensign) for the stern.
Theoretically the boat should have a FCC radio license for the VHF radio I am not certain if this is enforced, but I strongly advise having one. Bicycles need to be licensed at the first place where you can obtain a license.
Pets: An Import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. Applications for the permits, plus a $10 processing fee, must be made in writing to the Bahamas Director of Agriculture, PO Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas. Tel (242)325-7502/7509 or by Fax (242) 326 3960 (send extra $5 if applying by fax). Permit can be obtained on line www.Bahamas.com 20REQUIREMENTS_FORM_070604.pdf Allow enough time to receive the permit before leaving your home port For Pets coming from the US and Canada, dogs and cats must be 1. Six months old or older 2. Accompanied by a Certificate which states that the pet has been vacinated against rabies within not less than 1 month and not more than 10 months prior to importation. 3. Accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.
If you are a ham and want to use your radio, you need a recipricol amatuer radio license: Submit a written application indicating the location of the amateur radio station and the period of operation
A copy of the individual birth certificate showing place and date of birth. (copy of passport photo page should suffice)
A copy of the individual amateur licence. (General, Advanced, and Extra class are accepted). Novice and Technicians class are not considered. --(this may be old--since the US license are changed)
A money order in the amount of $25.00 made out to the Public Utilities Commission. Executive Director and Secretary
Public Utilities Commission
Radio Licensing Department
PO Box N-4860
Nassau, Bahamas Allow three months!
Tel: 242 322-4437 Fax: 242 323-7288
Cell phone service for US phones (roaming) is limited basically to Grand Bahama and Nassau/New Providence islands -You can get Bartel cell phone service on a plan there, "Cybercell" with prepaid service.
So get the radio license now, if you are a ham get the permits now, Pets get the forums, order the "Q" flag and Bahama Flag. The costs of the fees are going to be about $180 for the permits and exit tax, the $160 for the Radio license (good for 10 years). Also remember that water is in short supply and is usually sold not free as it is in US marinas.
The proceedure for entry is: to fly the yellow Patique (Quaranteen) flag from the starboard radio antenna or some other staff above the cabin top, when within three miles of Bahama land. Notify the authorities of your arrival and no one goes ashore until cleared. If you happen to pass other islands before a port of entry--again do not go ashore until you have been cleared in. You will have to have a passport and fillout imigration papers when you arrive. Have a Bahamas Courtesy flag to fly after clearance. (We usually fly the courtesy flag as soon as in territorial waters) This is probably best flown from the bow staff or a starboard radio antenna. If you haven't cleared, it would be above the "Q" Flag. Also have a United States flag (not the yacht ensign) for the stern.
Theoretically the boat should have a FCC radio license for the VHF radio I am not certain if this is enforced, but I strongly advise having one. Bicycles need to be licensed at the first place where you can obtain a license.
Pets: An Import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. Applications for the permits, plus a $10 processing fee, must be made in writing to the Bahamas Director of Agriculture, PO Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas. Tel (242)325-7502/7509 or by Fax (242) 326 3960 (send extra $5 if applying by fax). Permit can be obtained on line www.Bahamas.com 20REQUIREMENTS_FORM_070604.pdf Allow enough time to receive the permit before leaving your home port For Pets coming from the US and Canada, dogs and cats must be 1. Six months old or older 2. Accompanied by a Certificate which states that the pet has been vacinated against rabies within not less than 1 month and not more than 10 months prior to importation. 3. Accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.
If you are a ham and want to use your radio, you need a recipricol amatuer radio license: Submit a written application indicating the location of the amateur radio station and the period of operation
A copy of the individual birth certificate showing place and date of birth. (copy of passport photo page should suffice)
A copy of the individual amateur licence. (General, Advanced, and Extra class are accepted). Novice and Technicians class are not considered. --(this may be old--since the US license are changed)
A money order in the amount of $25.00 made out to the Public Utilities Commission. Executive Director and Secretary
Public Utilities Commission
Radio Licensing Department
PO Box N-4860
Nassau, Bahamas Allow three months!
Tel: 242 322-4437 Fax: 242 323-7288
Cell phone service for US phones (roaming) is limited basically to Grand Bahama and Nassau/New Providence islands -You can get Bartel cell phone service on a plan there, "Cybercell" with prepaid service.
So get the radio license now, if you are a ham get the permits now, Pets get the forums, order the "Q" flag and Bahama Flag. The costs of the fees are going to be about $180 for the permits and exit tax, the $160 for the Radio license (good for 10 years). Also remember that water is in short supply and is usually sold not free as it is in US marinas.
I lived in Freeport Grand Bahama from 1964 to 1970 from age 12 to 18. It was always my dream to go back in my own boat and go thru the twin jettys at Lucaya where I used to fish every day after school. That is a big reason I bought my boat, and is on my priority list of things to do in the next year or so.
Possible Bahamas Brats,
Rules in the Bahamas are very Lax. Lots of people take their dog and are never asked about it. I have heard of some who say the dog never goes ashore, and got a pass. We took bikes one year and were never asked about them.
Rules say get vets record for rabies,etc. You can go online and search engine" Bahamas, rules. you can get your apps that way to send to:
Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Levy Building, East Bay Street
P.O. Box N-3704
Nassau,Bahamas
phone: 242-325-7502/9 or 242-325-7438
Fax: 242-325-3960
We always get the paper work , but they never ask.
They might try a little gimmick on you at the fuel dock. Only pay the Customs man. They might tell you, you have to pay something for not staying at their Marina.
Radio licence has never been a problem. "VHF"
Coming back to the states can be the biggest pain. I understand if you go into customs here before you leave you can avoid a taxi ride to them when you get back. They don't come to you. Sometime they don't answer the phone for a day or two. I know that sounds funny, but one Memorial Day it happened to us. I know dozens of small boats came back that day. Open small boats. They were sleeping under traps waiting in West End to come back to the states. I'm assuming it was the same at all ports of departure.
Those who think the trip is dangerous or that a prudent person would not cross over, just don't know. You guys that think nothing about going out in the gulf or out in the Atlantic or the Pacific twenty five mile to fish you would only have twenty-five mile mores and you would be in the Bahamas . In other words you are never more than 25 miles from land.
I guess you could say 30 miles. ( To be more precise.)
Lots of us guys fish 50 miles off Mexico and we are half way to no where. It is a rare bird that has a problem crossing the gulf stream if he picks a nice day and has a good sea worthy boat. We enjoy company when we go, but have gone many times by our self. Even when we do it alone we see lots of boats coming and going. Your VHf can talk to the Coast Guard all the way across.
Rules in the Bahamas are very Lax. Lots of people take their dog and are never asked about it. I have heard of some who say the dog never goes ashore, and got a pass. We took bikes one year and were never asked about them.
Rules say get vets record for rabies,etc. You can go online and search engine" Bahamas, rules. you can get your apps that way to send to:
Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Levy Building, East Bay Street
P.O. Box N-3704
Nassau,Bahamas
phone: 242-325-7502/9 or 242-325-7438
Fax: 242-325-3960
We always get the paper work , but they never ask.
They might try a little gimmick on you at the fuel dock. Only pay the Customs man. They might tell you, you have to pay something for not staying at their Marina.
Radio licence has never been a problem. "VHF"
Coming back to the states can be the biggest pain. I understand if you go into customs here before you leave you can avoid a taxi ride to them when you get back. They don't come to you. Sometime they don't answer the phone for a day or two. I know that sounds funny, but one Memorial Day it happened to us. I know dozens of small boats came back that day. Open small boats. They were sleeping under traps waiting in West End to come back to the states. I'm assuming it was the same at all ports of departure.
Those who think the trip is dangerous or that a prudent person would not cross over, just don't know. You guys that think nothing about going out in the gulf or out in the Atlantic or the Pacific twenty five mile to fish you would only have twenty-five mile mores and you would be in the Bahamas . In other words you are never more than 25 miles from land.
I guess you could say 30 miles. ( To be more precise.)
Lots of us guys fish 50 miles off Mexico and we are half way to no where. It is a rare bird that has a problem crossing the gulf stream if he picks a nice day and has a good sea worthy boat. We enjoy company when we go, but have gone many times by our self. Even when we do it alone we see lots of boats coming and going. Your VHf can talk to the Coast Guard all the way across.