[Fr. Frank]

... File a float Plan & Cross with a Buddy Boat

Everything Chuck said, and:

7. Carry enough fuel for double the distance.
8. Carry 32oz of bottled water per person per day before leaving the US.
9. Burn portable fuel supply first.
10. Carry extra water separating filters.
11. Carry photocopies of all important documents, including passport #, boat registration, other ID, etc.
12. Call home immediately upon arrival.
13. Do carry and declare a shotgun if you are staying aboard. The fact you are armed will then be known to potential thieves/pirates.
(Do NOT carry handguns in Bahamian waters unless you have a diplomatic passport or you are a federal law enforcement officer.)
14. Do not bring any cash back to the US for any Bahamian, even if they are law enforcement or government officials.
15. Do not bring any lobster or fish back to the US without specifically declaring it with customs before leaving the Bahamas.
16. Oh yeah, use a prop lock.

I used to live in the Bahamas on New Providence Island in '94-95, and I have made the crossing more than 100 times. I have crossed in everything from David Anheuser's old 77' Broward FDMY "TICA" as a deckhand/steward, a '43 Rybovich, to more than a half-dozen trips from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama in a 13' Whaler (accompanied by other boats).

I have made the greatest number of my crossings, however, in a 20' SeaCraft Seafari. I used to go across 2 or 3 times a week to dive, and return same day.