Looking for some advice on where to lauch for a bahamas trip
01-18-2017, 02:23 AM
#11
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I live in tigard, usually launch out of bayport st helens, and hang out around warrior rock on sauvie island, then I run up to portland and back every now and then, but im usually anchored up somewhere along suavie island columbia side, mouth of the lewis river, or camping at warrior rock. I didnt take the boat out much this year as I had picked up some wave runners, and wanted to do maintenance on the boat. I'm upgrading to the big velvet drives, the little ones just wouldnt hold up.
I missed out on a poker run this summer, but I have no idea who even hosted it since the nw forum got shut down.
My old panther really isnt go fast anymore lol. Not compared to the big boys, but its more than enough for now... It's fun to get airborne and I can gps about 70 in a good chop.
Last edited by airbats801; 01-18-2017 at 02:27 AM.
01-18-2017, 07:52 AM
#12
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If you've never boated in Florida before, your best bet would be to try to time a trip when one of the poker runs is going on and join it. Then you can learn the ins and outs of Florida boating. They make runs to the Bahamas as well. There are too many things to learn about just trying to read advice from people on here. Even a simple run down to Key West from Miami can turn into a bad trip if you're not familiar with the waters and prepared. Better have a really good GPS as well and a back up. Should have some charts and know how to read them just in case all else fails.
Last edited by BenPerfected; 01-18-2017 at 08:02 AM.
01-18-2017, 09:13 AM
#13
I usually have 3 to 4 months off, so the drive down is going to be one of the fun parts for me actually, although yeah its never really exciting dragging that boat anywhere, but its doable, and I think it would be some good times. I plan on spending quite a bit of time checking out the fishing, but this has been bubbling in the back of my min for awhile now.
That being said you mentioned that the boat hasn't gotten much use do to jet skis/fishing boats. I would be super disappointed in preparing for this epic trip, dragging the boat across the country only to have an engine/drive setback that ruins the trip. 3000 miles is a long drive down but a reaallly long drive home if your trip was a failure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXyd55mcxM
Last edited by Jupiter Sunsation; 01-18-2017 at 09:19 AM.
01-18-2017, 09:32 AM
#14
Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to put a list together.
I do like the idea of checking out nassau, and some of the other islands. I'm reading up more and more on it currently.
-vhf radio x2
-extra gps
-possibly sat phone
-paper charts
-does navionics have any sort of updated chart for that area? I havent looked into it yet
-20g potable water
-high flow bilge with a backup
I already run a 4 battery system for my boat as I am always worried about killing batteries when im sitting for days with the stereo on frequently
Looking at a inflateable boat with something like a 4hp outboard for getting around if we end up spending a few nights in a cove
-set of spare props and hardware
-full set of tools with a set of extra raw water pumps. I already carry this.
-fuel flow guages. been on my list for awhile now.
-2x flare guns already have
-3x fire extinguishers already on board
What kind of anchors do you guys like down there? I run what we call a columbia river breakaway anchor. with about 15ft of chain. It's stupid big and heavy, but seems to be about the only thing that will hold me in the current on the river in sand. Shields dont work worth a damn here. I would prefer something a bit more compact then what I use.
Can I run a small 2 stroke outboard in the bahamas?
Right now the boat boat seems to average about a gallon a mile, maybe a little better at cruise. 40-50mph in a 3 to 4ft river chop with my k planes all the way up. I run a 150g tank, so it doesnt seem like fuel will be that big of a issue from stop to stop. I definitely need a good travel plan though.
I do like the idea of checking out nassau, and some of the other islands. I'm reading up more and more on it currently.
-vhf radio x2
-extra gps
-possibly sat phone
-paper charts
-does navionics have any sort of updated chart for that area? I havent looked into it yet
-20g potable water
-high flow bilge with a backup
I already run a 4 battery system for my boat as I am always worried about killing batteries when im sitting for days with the stereo on frequently
Looking at a inflateable boat with something like a 4hp outboard for getting around if we end up spending a few nights in a cove
-set of spare props and hardware
-full set of tools with a set of extra raw water pumps. I already carry this.
-fuel flow guages. been on my list for awhile now.
-2x flare guns already have
-3x fire extinguishers already on board
What kind of anchors do you guys like down there? I run what we call a columbia river breakaway anchor. with about 15ft of chain. It's stupid big and heavy, but seems to be about the only thing that will hold me in the current on the river in sand. Shields dont work worth a damn here. I would prefer something a bit more compact then what I use.
Can I run a small 2 stroke outboard in the bahamas?
Right now the boat boat seems to average about a gallon a mile, maybe a little better at cruise. 40-50mph in a 3 to 4ft river chop with my k planes all the way up. I run a 150g tank, so it doesnt seem like fuel will be that big of a issue from stop to stop. I definitely need a good travel plan though.
01-18-2017, 10:04 AM
#15
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I would advise riding with someone that is from down there (south florida) on a trip down to the keys, or even just around the Miami area for a day before you ever put your boat in the water. I had 1000's of hours driving boats before the first time I was in south florida and had I not rode with someone for a few days I would have had my boat on a sand bar in 5 minutes after putting it in the water.
on the Bahamas trip I would get a personal texting device/gps locator. I will probably never go in the ocean again without something like this. If your boat is sinking you can text someone to let them know or just hit the sos and help will be on the way and know your location.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561286
on the Bahamas trip I would get a personal texting device/gps locator. I will probably never go in the ocean again without something like this. If your boat is sinking you can text someone to let them know or just hit the sos and help will be on the way and know your location.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561286
01-19-2017, 06:04 AM
#16
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I figure id just go with the sattelite phone over the gps locator. seems like a good idea since vhf might have a rrange of 20 miles on a good day from a coast guard location.
01-19-2017, 06:31 AM
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3-4 months off is great! Nassau is a busy area but it is super touristy and currently crime infested. My neighbor lives there due to his job and I usually see him every few weeks when he comes home so I get regular updates. The best thing about Nassau is Paradise Island/Atlantis but it is more like a Vegas atmosphere......everything is fake from the columns on the building to the aquarium running through the lobby.
That being said you mentioned that the boat hasn't gotten much use do to jet skis/fishing boats. I would be super disappointed in preparing for this epic trip, dragging the boat across the country only to have an engine/drive setback that ruins the trip. 3000 miles is a long drive down but a reaallly long drive home if your trip was a failure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXyd55mcxM
That being said you mentioned that the boat hasn't gotten much use do to jet skis/fishing boats. I would be super disappointed in preparing for this epic trip, dragging the boat across the country only to have an engine/drive setback that ruins the trip. 3000 miles is a long drive down but a reaallly long drive home if your trip was a failure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXyd55mcxM
I actually plan on going through both drives this year, and new transmissions, and im tempted to freshen up my engines even though they havent given me any problems. We decided to shoot for 2018. I wanna make sure the boat is tip top for this. We will probably give it a good hard running this summer at lake chelan poker run if I have it off, otherwise, maybe a long columbia trip down to astoria. The boat has actually been extremely reliable other than the small velvet drives which just havent held up.
I need to look at some nautical maps and really plan the trip, but I have plenty of time. I look forward to some snorkeling, and definitely some fishing. It's a bucket list thing, and im not real worried about it. I'm no cowboy on my big boat especially in unknown water, I save that for my wave runners, put them up on a few logs, rock banks and flipped off it once this last year on a sand bar lol. It should be a great trip. I'll probabl bring my little 15ft baja special down as well for some florida fishing.
01-19-2017, 07:01 AM
#18
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Recommend getting Navionics for your iPad and studying the maps as much as possible. Then leave from WPB or Stuart, clear in the West End and head to the Abacos... I would skip Freeport... Never been to Bimini so I can comment on that. But the Abacos is great, we did this trip last year.
01-19-2017, 07:11 AM
#19
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Crossing is a non event if you pick the right day, wind direction is very important, I also have a Delorme Inreach and think it is money well spent even if you have a sat phone. Freeport and Nassau are not worth going to, the rest of the Bahamas is Beautiful. If you want to give me a call I can give you my take on it. I sent you a pm. We go 6+ times a year and are buying a place over there.
01-19-2017, 07:52 AM
#20
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You can always do the Poor Mans Bahamas/ the Florida Keys.
Wet your whistle with great fishing and diving/snorkeling in nice clear water within miles of reasonable priced fuel and supplies.
Run up and down the Florida Keys enjoying haunts and dives without the worries of breaking down a long way from civilization..
Run out to Fort Jefferson and spend a few days hanging and exploring if you get ambitious.
Probably cost a 1/3 of what running around the Bahamas would cost.
Bahamas has a $300 cruising permit fee also .
Wet your whistle with great fishing and diving/snorkeling in nice clear water within miles of reasonable priced fuel and supplies.
Run up and down the Florida Keys enjoying haunts and dives without the worries of breaking down a long way from civilization..
Run out to Fort Jefferson and spend a few days hanging and exploring if you get ambitious.
Probably cost a 1/3 of what running around the Bahamas would cost.
Bahamas has a $300 cruising permit fee also .
