The wife and I live in the foothills 40 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado and are planning a trip with our 36' Outlaw to Stuart or West Palm, Florida and boating from there to West End and the Abacos, probably spending a week on the water before heading back to CO. Thinking about the first week or two in May. My parents lived in Stuart for 20 years before passing away several years ago, so I am somewhat familiar with the area, but have never been on the water there.

I am looking for any and all advice I can get on boating from the mainland to West End and the Abacos, including place to park truck and trailer/boat ramp and costs, weather conditions, the Gulf Stream, customs, safety/pirate issues, places to stay, fuel costs, and any other issues that first-timers should be aware of.

I would appreciate any and all advice you have. Thanks.

Phaze

West End is 57 miles off Palm Beach, probably 65+ miles from Stuart. Your May timeline should be good (closer to summer the better the water lays down). I would find a marina to park truck/trailer. Bahamians are going to get you for $300 for a "cruising permit" and it has to be paid in cash when you arrive in West End. Not sure if you have ever been there but 1 day is about all you will be able to take of West End (there is nothing to do there) but Lucaya is 45 minutes away by cab. Freeport is closer but touristy, not great.

Pirates- not really an issue for an I/O boat, just use common sense.......don't go snorkeling with your Rolex on the helm. Get an EPRIB if you are going alone and bring spare parts (belts, fuel filters, etc). I/O parts are non existent over there and if you need them they will cost a fortune.

http://www.oldbahamabay.com/old-bahama-bay

http://www.grandlucayan.com/

This flyover is at West End. The pink shack behind the big motor yacht is Bahamian Customs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSqU07BGNtA

Hey Jupiter sunsation, off topic but thanks for the recommendations i had asked about the west palm area. We hit the square grouper last Saturday afternoon and kept the boat at sailfish. As luck would have it floatopia was happening Sunday so we did that. Great time thanks again Andy

Glad it worked for you! floatopia as been hit or miss as the authorities try to contain the mayhem. First rule was no drinking on peanut island but if you are standing in ankle deep water then drink all you want (smart rule huh). Then they started heavy boating enforcement, 15 kids in a 15 ft skiff = nobody gets to the island, turn them around and send them back to the dock. Then the water taxi mysteriously closes the day of floatopia.

Cool you got to see some of the cooler things in the area. I was on the other coast (Ft Myers) for Red Sox spring training!

Yeah heard some funny stories of past floatopias!!! Sounded wild a few years ago. Luckily for me I'm old now but my teenage nephews who came with us I think had a blast! Lol. Thanks again for the recommendations. Gonna make it a point to get back down next month or two before the boat heads back north

Any additional comments on boating to and through the Abacos would be appreciated. Thanks. Phaze

Here now in my 39 sea vee. For our kids spring break. Done the run a ton of times. Leave from the port that gives you the best ride based on forecast. If it's blowing from the south leave further south. If it's blowing from the north leave from Stuart so u can have it on your beam. It's actually 80 miles due east of port at lucie inlet. We cross stay one day at blue marlin cove and then run around to marsh harbor. Make sure to cut offshore around whale cay just passed green turtle. Some get lucky running over the shoul but I wouldn't chance it. Then we you cut in you'll have Guana as your first island. This is what we did this trip.
Hopetown
Pete's pub
Sandy key. Nice snorkel reef
Manowar. Sailbag shop for the ladies
Nippers
No name island for the pigs
Cracker P's. Whatch the tide
Spent some time at the round bar at abaco beach resort
Lots of spots to snorkel in the abaco sea
Dinner at fire flys one night

The guys from statement are here now with a pretty large crew also.

We did the West End and Freeport last year, and I'm doing a very similar trip to yours in August. Here is a link to the thread I started, there is some good information. I would pick up The Steve Dodge Abaco Cruising guide, lots of good information in that as well.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/florida-...ay-august.html
Aaron

Great advise on Steve Dodge cruising guide. A lot of what you need to know on way points, marinas/fuel stops, etc.

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-bi048.html