End of Feb to the Bahamas
- Thread starter captd
- Start date
Buddy has moved his medical procedure up into June so we have a good close rough date to leave for Palm Beach. The 20th. of March.
Has anyone come up with storage around Riviera Beach for truck and trailer? . We will launch at the Blue Heron bridge. We have about 6 weeks to do the whole gig. Anyone want to go along? Wives in your boat is OK. come on down.
captd
Has anyone come up with storage around Riviera Beach for truck and trailer? . We will launch at the Blue Heron bridge. We have about 6 weeks to do the whole gig. Anyone want to go along? Wives in your boat is OK. come on down.
captd
Captd,
My schedule is locked in for March so I have to stick to the meet you the 14th or 15th of April. I got my guide to Abaco. Please, please tell me that there is a chip for my GPS that covers Abaco. I know that I am probably dreaming but I may have to learn how to enter Lat/Longs for a route. After customs at West End it looks like you have to go North and then work your way to the East side of Abaco. I was relieved to see that TowBoat US has a presence in the area.
Thanks for keeping me informed,
AKjack
My schedule is locked in for March so I have to stick to the meet you the 14th or 15th of April. I got my guide to Abaco. Please, please tell me that there is a chip for my GPS that covers Abaco. I know that I am probably dreaming but I may have to learn how to enter Lat/Longs for a route. After customs at West End it looks like you have to go North and then work your way to the East side of Abaco. I was relieved to see that TowBoat US has a presence in the area.
Thanks for keeping me informed,
AKjack
You might want to check and see if your chart chip (Garmin, Navionics and C map all make chips for the Abacos)--is from the Lewis Explorer series. This data base is used in C map and Garmin chips. The DMA charts are off a bit, and the Lewis Explorer charts are considerably better. You want an up to date chart--not one 5 years old, since the older chips were not to the Lewis database. Navionics uses another database--not sure how good it is there is a caution about the 2006 edition not being accurate. I read somewhere that the latest Navionics was better.
Akjack,
I have used regular Maptech charts for years,( Offshore Navigator) and on my Garmin M4, All charts are available of course through them. Mine come on CDs for which every area you want. Can be updated with tide info for a few years at a time. I have the C-80 with Navionics. that flash card covers all Florida and the Bahamas.(With tide info) Charting is quite accurate for the Bahamas, much better than Mexico. It is an easy cruise in the Bahamas for c-Dorys or the Ranger. Because of the shallow draft. I can think of no risky routes when enroute to any of the major islands of the Abacos. If going out on the outer reefs you must pick your way through the coral heads. The water is so clear, with the sun over your shoulder you can easily see how to avoid the coral heads. You also will learn to read the water. The Steve Dodge book explains that very well.
Roughly, the route I always take is: From West End, around the top of Mango island to Sail Key for anchorage. That is mostly East. From there Mostly south to Allens Pensacola. Stop fish, dive enjoy all the way to Little Harbour. Even with paper charts and a hand held gps you can safely run all over the abacos on that route. It is all a piece of cake. Just the gulf stream requires careful planning to make sure you have a good weather window. Look at the Cuban refugees leaving their shore on intertubes and old tubs that are over loaded. I am surprised more do not die drifting and crossing the stream. If it is nice ,fish all the way across. Only a 3-4 hour trip. Depending on the boat. The Ranger will take about 5 hours.
I know lots of people are a little apprehensive the first time to do the Bahamas, but one trip will make you a believer. Some only go to Freeport or Lucuiya and they are missing the best part. Unless you like the poor odds at the cassinos and partying, go around the back side.
captd
I have used regular Maptech charts for years,( Offshore Navigator) and on my Garmin M4, All charts are available of course through them. Mine come on CDs for which every area you want. Can be updated with tide info for a few years at a time. I have the C-80 with Navionics. that flash card covers all Florida and the Bahamas.(With tide info) Charting is quite accurate for the Bahamas, much better than Mexico. It is an easy cruise in the Bahamas for c-Dorys or the Ranger. Because of the shallow draft. I can think of no risky routes when enroute to any of the major islands of the Abacos. If going out on the outer reefs you must pick your way through the coral heads. The water is so clear, with the sun over your shoulder you can easily see how to avoid the coral heads. You also will learn to read the water. The Steve Dodge book explains that very well.
Roughly, the route I always take is: From West End, around the top of Mango island to Sail Key for anchorage. That is mostly East. From there Mostly south to Allens Pensacola. Stop fish, dive enjoy all the way to Little Harbour. Even with paper charts and a hand held gps you can safely run all over the abacos on that route. It is all a piece of cake. Just the gulf stream requires careful planning to make sure you have a good weather window. Look at the Cuban refugees leaving their shore on intertubes and old tubs that are over loaded. I am surprised more do not die drifting and crossing the stream. If it is nice ,fish all the way across. Only a 3-4 hour trip. Depending on the boat. The Ranger will take about 5 hours.
I know lots of people are a little apprehensive the first time to do the Bahamas, but one trip will make you a believer. Some only go to Freeport or Lucuiya and they are missing the best part. Unless you like the poor odds at the cassinos and partying, go around the back side.
captd
captd,
Thanks for the information, As I look at my guide to Abaco and look at your description I would like to make sure that I have this right. From West End, IND1,2,3,BARRA,MANGR,GTSALE,VETRK,HKBLL,CTWRK TO CRABCY. That would be the most direct route. Do you think it would be a good one for me? From there it looks pretty straight forward. My boat is registered in Alaska, it is not a documented boat. Is that OK for the trip? What do you do for money? Will they accept my credit card, do I need cash, can I use an ATM card, do you take bahama dollars with you or do you use US green? If I travel alone do I need to worry about drug runners or other marine criminals? I have a Garmin 188 (I think) and I hope that will be sufficient. It has worked flawlessly on the ICW with the moving map with wonderful detail on channels, depths, landfalls ect. I will also carry a handheld GPS as a backup. Sorry for all the questions, but knowledge is power !
AKjack
Thanks for the information, As I look at my guide to Abaco and look at your description I would like to make sure that I have this right. From West End, IND1,2,3,BARRA,MANGR,GTSALE,VETRK,HKBLL,CTWRK TO CRABCY. That would be the most direct route. Do you think it would be a good one for me? From there it looks pretty straight forward. My boat is registered in Alaska, it is not a documented boat. Is that OK for the trip? What do you do for money? Will they accept my credit card, do I need cash, can I use an ATM card, do you take bahama dollars with you or do you use US green? If I travel alone do I need to worry about drug runners or other marine criminals? I have a Garmin 188 (I think) and I hope that will be sufficient. It has worked flawlessly on the ICW with the moving map with wonderful detail on channels, depths, landfalls ect. I will also carry a handheld GPS as a backup. Sorry for all the questions, but knowledge is power !
AKjack
Akjack,
Looks like you got it. Vetrk , no problem ,you can plainly see it. Hawksbill can be past on either side. Fox town is a black community. Day anchor only. Good homemade bread. Get two when they are hot, Eat one walking back to the boat. Center of the world rock, sounds awesome, but is very visible, a good landmark. Put Allens Pensacola to your stop over. You have been on the banks for awhile so take your time and enjoy. Everything from Sail Key is a blast.
Don't worry about drug runners ( unless you don't pay them) tee hee. Very little serious crime in the Bahamas. You can leaver your boat at anchor in all the harbors with things on deck for months, it will be there when you get back. But if your boat washes ashore during a storm, the kids will strip it before the storm is over. With cops help.
Our money is good there. it is on par with theirs. 6 of one half dozen of the other. Atm's, I don't know about. Get rid of theirs before you leave.
Bring your boat registration and any other documents like passport, or Certified birth certificate with one other gov id, like drivers lic. $150 for cruise , fishing permits.
Gps sounds good but bring paper charts for back up and over all view.
As I have said in the past. It is very easy to navigate in the Abacos. It surprises me that so few people cruise over there when it is only 60 miles away. It is easier that boating in the keys.
captd
Looks like you got it. Vetrk , no problem ,you can plainly see it. Hawksbill can be past on either side. Fox town is a black community. Day anchor only. Good homemade bread. Get two when they are hot, Eat one walking back to the boat. Center of the world rock, sounds awesome, but is very visible, a good landmark. Put Allens Pensacola to your stop over. You have been on the banks for awhile so take your time and enjoy. Everything from Sail Key is a blast.
Don't worry about drug runners ( unless you don't pay them) tee hee. Very little serious crime in the Bahamas. You can leaver your boat at anchor in all the harbors with things on deck for months, it will be there when you get back. But if your boat washes ashore during a storm, the kids will strip it before the storm is over. With cops help.
Our money is good there. it is on par with theirs. 6 of one half dozen of the other. Atm's, I don't know about. Get rid of theirs before you leave.
Bring your boat registration and any other documents like passport, or Certified birth certificate with one other gov id, like drivers lic. $150 for cruise , fishing permits.
Gps sounds good but bring paper charts for back up and over all view.
As I have said in the past. It is very easy to navigate in the Abacos. It surprises me that so few people cruise over there when it is only 60 miles away. It is easier that boating in the keys.
captd
Akjack,
Most places that cater to boaters will take credit cards, Fuel and food in the better restaurants would take them. Some do and some don't. Take some cash. How much? Depends on your tastes.
I will post on this site every time I catch wireless. You post up until you leave. Our base will be in Marsh Harbour. There really is only one route and we can't miss each others boat. I will give you a list of spots to check as you come in. You will enjoy checking them out and will run into us for sure. You have no need to go to Hawksbill or Crab Key. Those are just waypoints. Here is your stops on the way in to check :
Allen Pensacola, Powell Key, Manjack, Green Turtle ( White Sound an Black sound) Bakers Bay, Settlement Point, Marsh Harbor, Man-of -War, Hope Town, Little Harbor. ( Pete Pub). These are Places you want to see and you go right past them. You will find us. More than likely it will be Marsh Harbour at the time you get there.
Found this place for storage.:
Juan M Storage
5681 Desoto Rd.
Lake Worth, Fl.
561-252-5524 wife
561-252-4078 His
$100 a month, fenced and locked, it is new,15 min from Blue Heron bridge. Call the day you get there. They will meet you. I have not seen the place. Close to the country club, can't be two bad. Maybe a couple bucks he will give us a ride back and forth.
Most places that cater to boaters will take credit cards, Fuel and food in the better restaurants would take them. Some do and some don't. Take some cash. How much? Depends on your tastes.
I will post on this site every time I catch wireless. You post up until you leave. Our base will be in Marsh Harbour. There really is only one route and we can't miss each others boat. I will give you a list of spots to check as you come in. You will enjoy checking them out and will run into us for sure. You have no need to go to Hawksbill or Crab Key. Those are just waypoints. Here is your stops on the way in to check :
Allen Pensacola, Powell Key, Manjack, Green Turtle ( White Sound an Black sound) Bakers Bay, Settlement Point, Marsh Harbor, Man-of -War, Hope Town, Little Harbor. ( Pete Pub). These are Places you want to see and you go right past them. You will find us. More than likely it will be Marsh Harbour at the time you get there.
Found this place for storage.:
Juan M Storage
5681 Desoto Rd.
Lake Worth, Fl.
561-252-5524 wife
561-252-4078 His
$100 a month, fenced and locked, it is new,15 min from Blue Heron bridge. Call the day you get there. They will meet you. I have not seen the place. Close to the country club, can't be two bad. Maybe a couple bucks he will give us a ride back and forth.
captd,
Thanks for all the good information, I am getting the charts and information for the trip. I will have about 18 days for the trip. I will be very careful picking the day to cross the gulfstream. I will have to have excellent weather or I won't cross. If the weather is poor I will work the intercoastal waterway til it improves. I will be carrying a spot satellite personal tracker that pings a satellite every 10 minutes with my position. My wife will be able to check my position by computer 24/7. It also allows me to transmit an emergency signal if required. This is a wonderful item, 7 oz, about the size of a cellphone and total cost is about $300. www.findmespot.com
Jack
Thanks for all the good information, I am getting the charts and information for the trip. I will have about 18 days for the trip. I will be very careful picking the day to cross the gulfstream. I will have to have excellent weather or I won't cross. If the weather is poor I will work the intercoastal waterway til it improves. I will be carrying a spot satellite personal tracker that pings a satellite every 10 minutes with my position. My wife will be able to check my position by computer 24/7. It also allows me to transmit an emergency signal if required. This is a wonderful item, 7 oz, about the size of a cellphone and total cost is about $300. www.findmespot.com
Jack
Captd,
It is the 30th of Mar, you are probably in the Bahamas by now. I have been out of town attending a funeral in Colo. I checked with my insurance company and they will cover me in the Bahamas as long as I stay within 75 miles of the Fla coast. This means that I can go to West End or Bimini and then another 20 or so miles to the East. Unfortunately this means that Marsh Harbor is too far for me to go and still have insurance. The insurance co will not cover me any farther than 75 miles unless I have an inboard engine. I plan on going on down the ICW from Jacksonville NC towards Fla. If I get near Miami and have time I would like to go over to Bimini just to get out of the US and visit an area outside our coastal waters. Maybe we can get together sometime in the future.
AKjack
It is the 30th of Mar, you are probably in the Bahamas by now. I have been out of town attending a funeral in Colo. I checked with my insurance company and they will cover me in the Bahamas as long as I stay within 75 miles of the Fla coast. This means that I can go to West End or Bimini and then another 20 or so miles to the East. Unfortunately this means that Marsh Harbor is too far for me to go and still have insurance. The insurance co will not cover me any farther than 75 miles unless I have an inboard engine. I plan on going on down the ICW from Jacksonville NC towards Fla. If I get near Miami and have time I would like to go over to Bimini just to get out of the US and visit an area outside our coastal waters. Maybe we can get together sometime in the future.
AKjack