Christmas "floatilla" to the Bahamas

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Permalink Reply by Gayla Ullman on December 10, 2009 at 10:10pm

Sounds like fun! We too have a single engine 21' cc. Keep us informed please. Are u going to M I boat parade Dec.19th?Perhaps we will meet you then. Chuck & Gayla

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Permalink Reply by Tom Phillips on December 10, 2009 at 11:18pm

Thanks for the invitation to the Boat Parade (and for the invite to your friends list). I live in Michigan, but I bought my boat in Florida and I have stored it there for the winter so that I can come and "visit" it from time to time during the cold months. I won't be arriving until 12/25.

I have been around power boats all my life, but most of my "blue water" experience has been in larger sailboats (for which the trip to the Bahamas would be a walk in the park, weather permitting).

As I understand it, it is about 50 miles from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas -- but the trip would obviously require an excellent weather forecast, with minimal (if any) winds from the North, so as to avoid the "wind against tide" phenomena in the Gulf Stream. Of course the biggest issue for a single engine boat would be motor trouble -- after all, the goal of this trip is "fun" -- hence the "flotilla" concept.

Have you ever been over there by boat? Everything that I have read suggests that it is a great place to go for sun, crystal-clear waters, fishing, pristine beaches, and the complete Caribbean experience -- all within a two or three hour boat ride (assuming mother natures cooperates, and no mechanical problems).

I'd be most interested in exploring this further with you, and/or anybody else who might be interested. Obviously, people with personal experience would be a great resource -- even if they weren't interested in going. Even more obviously, if the weather is anything other than ideal, the trip would have to be scrubbed.

Let me know what your thoughts are. Do you have GPS on your boat? (Another potential "issue" for the trip would be navigational electronic malfunction -- and again, there is safety in numbers).

Thanks for responding.

Best,
Tom Phillips

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Permalink Reply by Capt. Rick Rescott on December 11, 2009 at 12:03am

Tom, West End is 55 miles from West Palm Beach. It is more like 120 miles from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Phillips on December 11, 2009 at 12:13pm

It's amazing how difficult it is to find accurate information on this (the distance) -- I am awaiting the delivery of some charts which will give me a precise answer.

This site says "43 - 85 miles" : http://www.sailingaway.ca/Gulf_Stream.htm

I have also read that Stuart, FL is probably the most northly port for making a quick run to the Bahamas. Our boats are trailerable -- so starting out from Stuart may be the way to go.

Thanks for raising this issue -- it's obviously a significant one.

TP

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Permalink Reply by Henry on December 11, 2009 at 12:18pm

Yes it is quite a trip from here, but from Jupiter down, only a couple hour trip
on a power boat in fair sea's. A LOT cheaper to trailer the boats south, then
do the crossing. Don't forget the Legal Doc's (passports) and the Customs fee's
upon arrival ($150.00 for under 35' and up to 4 people).

Here is a link for some good reminders: http://www.thebahamasguide.com/travel/marinas.htm

Henry
Wile E. Coyote

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Permalink Reply by Tom Phillips on December 11, 2009 at 2:13pm

Thanks for the information . . . and the link.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Phillips on December 13, 2009 at 11:15pm

Brad:

How big is your boat? Do you have twin or triple motors, or a single? What did you think of the trip over and back? How did you like it once you got there? What do you think about attempting it with a single engine? (That's a lot of questions, but brief answers will do nicely).

Tom

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Permalink Reply by Vince and Dixie Fechtel on May 11, 2010 at 10:06am

Abaco Cruising- 2010 - We want to start having a Buddy Boat for our trips.

Departing sometime May 28-31, returning June 7 or 8. 30' ProLine cuddy. Going to at least Green Turtle. We have cruised the Bahmas 20 plus times before. Family of four includes two teens. Want fishermen, family, explorers, snorklers or whatever if wholesome people.

Will be making a couple more trips this summer (3-6 night trips.) Seeking another boat for mutual safety.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Phillips on May 11, 2010 at 12:17pm

There is a remote possibility that I could make this trip. We never made it over at Christmas time (weather wasn't favorable, & nobody else was interested in going at that time anyway.) I was planning to bring my boat up to Michigan for the summer, but this notice has got me interested in a Bahamas trip again -- before I pull out of Florida.

A couple of questions: Are you planning to leave directly from Cape Canaveral, or do you paln to travel South (?on the Intercoastal?) prior to heading East across the Gulf Stream?

From what I have read (and been told) you really have to have ther right weather forcast for this to be a fun crossing. Do you have the time to hang out and wait for the right weather -- or are you just thinking that at that time of year the weather is likely to co-operate?

Sure sounds like it could be a great trip.

Tom Phillips

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