Going to the Bahamas FAQs/Going to the Bahamas for dummies
 

I've never been to the Bahamas. I have several questions and am hoping some of the veterans can help out.
I've already learned a lot from this site, but have a few more questions.

1. How do I find a fellow boater to make the crossing?
2. Where to leave the truck and trailer for a week or two...is John Barry Light Harbor Park a safe place?
3. What do I need to do legally before I leave? File a float plan? What paper work other than passport and boat reg.
4. When returning to the states where exactly do I report into if parting from Riviera Beach.


Thanks for all the help.

Where are you planning to go? Freeport is about 90miles offshore, Bimini is about 50miles offshore. What size boat and power do you have, range?

I have heard the launch ramps in that area near palm beach are sketchy, lots of beggers hanging around "helping" you dock your boat, aggressively.

I'd like to do the crossing sometime, but I'm waiting for a buddy to get a 28zx to go with me. A big power single bravo boat isn't ideal for long ocean trips lol.

John Barry doesn't allow overnight parking which actually wouldn't be a problem for you since your rig would be long gone by daybreak! Nothing good about Riviera Beach!

You can post here and/or the Hull Truth .com to see if anyone else is crossing. Find a better place than a boat ramp for a 1-2 parking spot. You actually don't have to legally do anything before you leave. When you return you can check in at customs/call in. If it happens to be a busy/ holiday weekend Customs has set up at Sailfish Marina in the past (closest marina to inlet, north side 500 ft)

West End, Grand Bahama is only 55-60 miles off Palm Beach/Jupiter

We are going to Marsh Harbor. Is there a customs point at Freeport or do we have to check in at West End first?
Boat is a 25zx with 600hp and 82 gallon tank.

West End is a probably the easiest check in in the Bahamas. The customs shack is on the fuel dock!

I thought Freeport harbor was hassle like you have to call in and get clearance to enter the harbor due to all the commercial traffic.

TNC- when are you planning on going? 25 with a single all the way to Marsh Harbor is going to be a long ride......

We are hoping to go for christmas. I know the weather will be dicey, but we are scoping out some places for our wedding in August and would like to do a trial run.

Marsh Harbor is a haul...but we don't have to do it all in a day. We will be staying on the hook for most if not all of the trip. I plan on stopping for fuel often to be safe.

Yeah December isn't a good time to go out there. Chances are it'll be rough and nasty. You may get lucky with smooth water, but the majority of the "winter" here is pretty rough offshore. August is usually dead calm and no problem though.

weather is a gamble big time in dec, but it is sometimes perfect.
Whatever you do dont forget safety, make sure you carry a epirb at minimum and for additional measures a PLB.

My advice......skip the December trip. While the temps would be ideal for sleeping aboard there will be very little marine traffic going to/from so not a lot of people around to help you if you get in a jam. In a summer run you literally see dozens of boats going to/from, everything from center consoles to yachts plus the freighter traffic. Also there have been some miserable Key West Poker Runs in November when the seas spool up and the temps drop (and the offshore portion is just 30 miles of open water within view of land).

A 25 ft single is doable in the summer (though not advised by many) it will be a very different experience in the winter. If you want to scout, fly to Marsh Harbour and stay a few days and rent a CC to island hop. I suspect the cost to trailer the boat down, run it over/back burning $6 a gallon gas, Bahamas cruising permit etc. will exceed your costs to fly/rent.

Here is a 38 TG experiencing winter waves! Keep in mind this shot is within view of land.
http://flpowerboat.com/gallery/displ...bum=32&pos=397
http://flpowerboat.com/gallery/displ...bum=32&pos=403
http://flpowerboat.com/gallery/displ...bum=32&pos=404

Here is a smaller single engine boat:
http://flpowerboat.com/gallery/displ...bum=32&pos=399

Bookmark this link:
http://www.evsjupiter.com/

This is the Jupiter inlet cam. You can check on it throughout the day and you will see how the seas get bigger as the day progresses. You will also note the boat traffic, on flat days the inlet has a pretty steady stream. As it gets rough, the area charter/dive boats won't even go out.

There are other inlet cams (Boynton, Lake Worth, Boca, Hillsboro) if you want to google them.

On my 2 trips to Treasure Cay I found this book to be the best as far as way points and Abaco marina information.

http://www.wspress.com/

I did this trip in a 28' single It was about a 180 mile trip and if the weather is decent, it's an easy 1 day run.
My advise is:
Customs at West End and top off with fuel.
Stop and top off fuel at Spanish Cay
Run the final leg to Marsh

Carry two 5 gallon gas cans just to be safe......

LF

http://fpwp.photoshelter.com/gallery...000x3xBgNu2elU

This was an April run by a new poker run club. 4 boats made the run, 46 Skater, 50 Nortech Vee, bigger Fountain Vee and another big Skater. Scroll through the pics, they took a beating!

funny story about crossing to bahamas

http://www.***************.com/brown...this-stuff-up/

If you are so lucky to get smooth water for the crossing over there that is only half the battle.No guarantee you will have even doable weather coming back in December.

Spent 2 weeks weathered in , in Bimini when i was a kid and that was with a 42 foot ocean going Grand Banks trawler.

one Cold front after another is pretty common.Especially when you have a deadline.

You can also post here when looking for a crossing buddy or any other info about the Abacos.
http://abacomessageboard.com/

I agree with Jupiter Sunsation. Also agree with the safety gear advice as well. I'm a Coast Guard helicopter pilot in Miami so we're out searching for people all the time. A VHF radio, epirb or PLB, and a strobe light will save your life if you end up in the water. The strobe at night, we fly with nightvision and the strobe will stand out like the sun. Thats my public service announcement lol.

That sounds like a good problem to have!!!! Just kidding, ok, so I guess we will fly. The misses would be in trouble if she had to call off work because she was stranded in the bahamas! Thanks for all the advice and input!

When you get to Marsh Harbor, Blue Wave Rentals can hook you up with a boat. We rented this one in July: http://bluewaverentals.com/stuart-26.html Last year, we rented their 26 Paramount twin. We rented for the entire week the last two trips, but it wasn't a necessity. There are ferries running to all of the major cays, and you really only need a rental to get to places off the beaten path.

Liquid Fix is right about the book: http://www.wspress.com/ It has lots of good info. You can get by with just the book and no GPS, but you'd better know what you are doing.