LapseofReason

I went once in Nov. waited 3 days for the waves to die down, should have waited longer it was a very bad ride in the Gulf Stream in a 42 Sonic. I was talking to a few guys at Bimini that were from FL. they were in smaller boats, they said they cross at night in the winter months because it's calmer. I would have to make that trip many times before I would do it at night. Then again I was always the only boat when I went maybe with 2-3 boats I would cross at night.

Bobthebuilder

The attached pics show just how nice it can be. We got very lucky. That was in early May of this year. You will want conditions like this with boats under 30 ft.
Conditions are probably best in summer. An early morning crossing is a good time before daytime heating starts kicking the winds up. Light winds out of the south will give you conditions like shown here. North winds fight the gulf stream and things get messy.
Once at Bimini boating on the Great Bahama Bank is beautiful. ( pic 4 ) There are also some neighboring islands you can visit.

Here is a link to Bimini Bay Resort: http://www.biminibayresort.com/

HTRDLNCN

Bimini is just under 50 miles from Ft Lauderdale,
back in the 80s I made the crossing many times, in a 21 Mako,
23 Nova, 24 Pirahna,etc.. They were all twin engined, some outboards , some inboards.
No problems, hell half the boats that raced to Bimini in the 60s were under 24ft.
I also went on someones 53 yacht and almost didnt
make it because they were clueless.
Just a matter of knowing your gear and when to cross.
Its nice to have a 40ft go-fast but people were crossing the gulf in 16ft canoes long before this and they made it.
Knowledge and preparation is what makes or breaks any boating trip.

LapseofReason

It's like boating in a swimming pool on the bank.

Jupiter Sunsation

Here are a few comparisons on waves...... 1st run was 4ft+++
and the second was lake flat. Both summertime runs.

http://www.flpowerboat.com/gallery/t...s.php?album=11
http://www.flpowerboat.com/gallery/t....php?album=154

blingbling

I've been waiting for a thread like this one. At the end of March 2010 I'm making a 10 day loop through the Bahamas leaving FT. Lauderdale, Bimini first staying at the Bimini Bay Resort, and after that I really don't no where else to go. I don't want to go crazy far, but some places good for diving and taking my kids snorkeling. Want to stay at resorts with a pool and marina facilites. Any suggestions would be great. Boats a year old 38 Donzi CC. Thanks in advance.

Bobthebuilder

Bling. Here is a link to my thread where we spent a few weeks in the Bahamas in April / May of this year.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ks-caicos.html
We did not get beyond the Exumas in the southern Bahamas. There may be some helpful info for you buried in the thread. Let me know if you have any questions. The 38 CC should be good most days.
Bob

Spicy

Hopefully we have great weather, we are all very flexible and if it isnt right to cross we wont. Looking forward to it. We are going for 3-4 days then coming back to Miami and heading to Key West for Thursday to Sunday for the weekend and the races.

jima97

I went with FPC in July with about 13 other boats. Stayed at Hilton-Marina 17th St. in Ft. Laud. on a Wed. Launched the boat at the city ramp 15th st. almost directly across from the hotel. Dropped the truck and trailer off at Harbor Marina in Dania Beach.
http://www.harbourtownemarina.net/

We pulled out of Port Everglades around 7-7:30 am on a Thursday. Ran up the coast for about 10 miles and hook a right. Flat shinny water! An hour later we were pulling into Old Bahama Bay Resort on the West End.
http://www.oldbahamabay.com/



Stayed there one night, next day went about 35 mile east to Port Lucaya.
http://www.portlucaya.com/
We stayed a couple nights at Our Lucaya, cool place close to the marina, shopping, casinos, clubs, bars and food...all within walking distance.
http://www.ourlucaya.com/amenities/index.php

Then we went about 60 mile south to Bimini. Stayed at Bimini Bay Resort for 2 nights.
http://www.biminibayresort.com/
Renting a golf cart is the only way to get around. It is a fairly large compound. Pretty quite place while we were there. We did cruise the golf carts into town for some local action.
We had to go to Cat Cay for fuel before we left, there was no fuel in Bimini. That detour put us out a little later than we wanted. The seas on the way home were not as friendly. Not to bad...5's occasional 6, took a little spray over the bow. No wave pattern just snot. Still only took a hour and a half to get back.


Overall an awesome trip!! Can't wait till next July. Definitely going back. Met some great people, saw some very cool places and made new friends from TX, LA, FL and GA. One of the nicest places you could float your boat. Some of the most beautiful water ever. Gives boating in paradise a new meaning!

http://www.flpowerboat.com/gallery/t....php?album=177

Strip Poker 388

iTrader: (6)

Yea and there's no red die