I have been wanting to take the slacker over for 8 years now.
My problem is vacation time. I have old and dear friends coming down from Vt.
Zig only wants a Sailfish, A swordfish, and a wahoo.

I also want to go up north to try for a BFT this early fall. Brother Paul got a nice used e tec for his solid `89 223 Mako cc I found him here. Yeah yeah, I know. He named her Mako Wish.

I thought he would see the tongue in cheek, but nooooo.
Yes, I was the instigator. Thought he would choose Mako My Day as he has a CCW in Ma.
For me it would have to be a short long weekend.

Cute. But WEAK.

Post away.

How's the fuel line coming?

Damn, I overlooked an old friend who did not hesitate at the opportunity. Dates won't work. He is former Navy and current fire/medic with a ton of boating experience. July would work for him.

As for the invite to ride over with Ken and Mel, it would be a great chance to do it first, but if conditions are right, I'd be kicking myself the entire week. And I still have not had a chance to put any hours on the Seafari.

I volunteered to assist with a large project, which I cannot expand on until completion, but it is proving more of a build than originally bid on. The shop was empty Feb 15th, with little to show until two weeks ago.

We are booked to ariive at Bootle bay fishing lodge the morning of June 14th and leaving the morning of the 17th to come home. They still have rooms if anyone else wants to go.

Ok, my boat is now filled as Jersey Bob and his daughter are cruising over with us and flying out Thursday back to Cheesesteak land. Anybody else considering making the run?

9" pie hole in liner just under fill cap.
Tank cut out.

Fill hose out w help from fork lift w hull off port trailer bunk.
Gas and oil saturated foam out.
Roven glass tab from bottom of coffin to stringer delaminated on port side
for a couple of feet.

Lots of gas and oil behind it.
Fill hose failed.
Tank still held 3 lbs, but lots of corrosion on her bottom and on the
forward vertical panel which was a head scratcher.

Gallons of degreaser purchased.

Stringers dry and solid.

I would love to run over w new wiring and a new tank.
Long weekend?

Sorry Sandy, I am over my head taking care of an old friend. Two strokes. Flew him here for a few days to get him into SC Medicare. Backfiring very badly. I'm out.

Have yet to get back for some time on the new boat. Been battling six weeks with SC DNR over HIN. Finally approved yesterday. What a freaking mess. Of course begged for 19 photos from friends and neighbors showing pic of where "HIN USED to be"!!! DNR finally gave in before issuing me a new SC HIN. Unfreaking real.

Think I'd rather wrestle an original fuel tank.

Part II.

At least I'm winning.

Prayers for your friend.

At least I'm winning.

Prayers for your friend.

Thanks Bro. I really screwed up this time...

Don,
I'll be at Breezy Palms again with my Buds from Ft. Liquordale from the 7th to the 11th if you want to stop by for a cocktail.
Dave

You buyin'?:eek:

Thanks Dave, however the odds are we will be passing each other on the highway Saturday the 11th!! I'll drink a beer or two in your honor. :) Hope you catch lots of fish and have a great time!

Ken,
If you drag your tired old A$$ down to the Keys, I'm definitely buyin'. At least the first couple rounds.

Weather permitting, we're launching in Lauderdale and running three boats down on Tuesday the 7th. There will be my 25 Seafari, a 23 Potter CC, and a 23 Intrepid CC. We'll stop for lunch at Alabama Jacks in beautiful downtown Card Sound, and then for cocktails at Lorelei when we reach Islamorada.

We fish Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and then head back to Lauderdale on Saturday and get there in time for a late lunch at Southport Raw Bar. We ran into Caymanboy at Southport last year. He was with a customer in a Donzi Sweet 16 he had restored.

See Ya,
Dave

Dang Dave, you're killing me!! Conch fritters with a cold brew or two, or four at Alabama Jacks is as good as it gets!! Have fun! :)

Don,
If the weather doesn't cooperate for the crossing we may head down to the Keys on Tuesday and hunt you guys up. Keep your phone on. :)

Will do!!! Everyday the weather is good we will be out fishing so when I get back to the house I'll check my phone. We are staying in Key Colony Beach, last property with the two matching houses on the north end of 3rd St., however let's hope the weather is good for your crossing!!!!

Damn! That's a Freakin' Back Up Plan!!! Wish I could attend. I think I still have an invite to Skip and Carl's?!?

Just have FUN!

We'll be rigged for mahi, tuna and hoos so anywhere near the stream will be where we go. Any room availability for a fat guy and a short Puerto Rican nearby?

I'll do some checking, this is an easier time to get lodging....after the snowbirds leave and before lobster season. We have been renting this place for three years, it's two houses just alike, mirror images of each other, covered under one roof. The owner went up to $3500 per week this year, however each house sleeps 8 so after you divide the $3500 by 16 people it's not too bad.

Sounds like our next gathering!!

Heading down to Delray to speak at a conference and then off to the west end! Hope fish are biting...

Probably where they are hiding. The weather looks great.

Safe crossing Ken and Mel. Hope you have a blast and the weather to boot. Wish I could have made it. Look forward to taking you up on the invite and assistance on my Garmin install. Be well.

Part II

Got home last night and it was a great trip. Weather was spectacular right up until Thursday so we cut it a day short for safety reasons. Bootle Bay Lodge is the perfect place for a gathering. Vida and his family run a great operation but it is very remote so being self sufficient is a must.

Fishing was slow but diving was great and ate conch everyday. Jersey Bob and his daughter joined us for the ride over and flew out Thursday morning the same time we headed back across.

That was a good call, coming back a day early I think. You timed it good with the weather.

Lots of people still stuck down there that waited to come home. If we would of waited until Friday we would still be stuck down there with them. Wait a second.... Stuck in the Bahamas???? As I type this from my desk at work... Maybe not such a good call now that I think about it.

Hmm, Hmm.

June 2017 Inspiration
 

Great YouTube video from 2014 of a 77 Sceptre with a 300 Yamaha on a bracket going to Rosie's on Grand Cay and back.

https://youtu.be/jGDAftSF13g

A good time was had by all...

The boat now has a hard top. Forum member Riley's 77 23Sceptre out of Central Florida. He would be a good buddy boat crossing over to the Abacos next year.

Elbow Cay drone footage......kick back with a Corona and watch the drone fly over your next CSC Spring/Summer Gathering destination 2017.

https://youtu.be/pwVE6JbA-Og

You're taking this Bahamas thing serious! :) Got a new dependable engine that gets great mileage and your all over this! I like it!!

Yessiree! It is the #1 plan for next year. We have to raise the bar between the Keys and Abacos!

Those guys may not have realized it, but they technically broke the law by going ashore at Walkers before they cleared customs! Protocol is that until you've cleared customs, you're supposed to fly the yellow quarantine flag, only the skipper is allowed to get off the boat, and that's to go find the customs guy. The quarantine flag is to be replaced with the Bahamian courtesy flag once you've cleared.

Maybe no big deal since Walkers is apparently abandoned, but it's important to remember that you're in a foreign country, and ignorance of their laws is no excuse! The Bahamians are particularly strict when it comes to enforcing fishing limits, especially on taking lobsters out of season. That's about the only natural resource they have, so they've been know to confiscate boats found with illegal lobsters on board! And they use a bounty system, so locals that report lawbreakers can get part of the fine!

Back in 2014, at the time of the video, the Walker's Customs office was there. The video says the customs agent wasn't there (common for Bahamas time!)It has closed since then. From Florida Sportsman in 2015 ...."customs is on grand. They will shuttle you to the customs office. A New customs will be built on Walkers."

They are serious for sure....not a place to have Spider Crab......! At least it is legal to spear lobster with a sling in season.

Hey Danny, after you do some Moderator "research".....hit the delete button!!!! :)

Spam-O Gone-O !!!!!

Bones on da job...

Thanks Bones....I missed the research on this! Thanks for the heads up Don!