Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Bushwacker]

Weather is the key.

Amen to that Chuck! Statistically, mid-July has the least amount of wind, and I suspect Caymanboy has figured that out! June is typically wetter with more chance of thunderstorms, and August is getting far enough into hurricane season that you run the risk of having a tropical wave or worse come through. That's just statistics however - still doesn't mean you can't get hammered by wind in July, have flat calm's in August or have no rain at all in June!

As far as routes, I've been to Green Turtle from Palm Beach via West End, via Memory Rock/Walkers Cay, and via Lucaya and the canal that cuts north from there thru Grand Bahama up towards Mangrove Cay. We always came back via West End so we could have full tanks for crossing the stream. Although West End is the shortest route to Green Turtle, I always preferred the route via Walkers, since you get a lift from the Gulf Stream instead of having to compensate for it when you run to West End or Lucaya. The Abaco's are also a lot more interesting to explore than Grand Bahama in my experience. Although I believe you can still clear customs at Walkers, both the hotel and marina were trashed by a hurricane a couple of years ago, so not much in the way of facilities there. May be able to get gas at nearby Grand Cay, but I'd call them to confirm that before leaving!

As far as trip length, it's just as much work to prepare for 1 wk as 2, and almost as much gas, so why not go for 2 wks?! We used to clear customs and refuel at Walkers and then spend a couple of days diving the reefs on the way down to Green Turtle, about 65 nm from Walkers. We'd then stay in cottages for a week or two on Green Turtle, which is an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the Abaco's. Since the SeaCraft 21 "Unohu" and most of the other boats I ran with were all self contained cabin boats, staying on the boat was no problem, and gave us the flexibility needed to allow for bad weather. That schedule flexibility is important! It's been my experience that folks are most likely to get into trouble or have a rough crossing when they feel like they have to make the crossing regardless of weather! The only rough crossing I had was one time that we decided to come back in the late afternoon instead of spending the night at West End. It was flat calm the next morning, as it usually is early in the morning in mid-summer!

[Snookerd]

There has been no official time or destination ever set for this trip. I would recommend talking to the guys who are already going to set something up.

[gofastsandman]

Sorry for the absence. I`m now on my 4th modem in little more than a month. I lost a nice piece for Capt Chuck and Admiral Lil. I also don`t type well. Frustrating.
Janet was laid off in January after 14 yrs so I`m shooting for a weekend hop over and back. Friday through Mon. Anytime. Probably a little bit of a last minuite thing depending on the conditions. .

Still trying to figure out how many cans I have to carry because I dont think I can make West End w/ a 1/3 reserve.

GFS

[Fr. Frank]

Sandy, Leaving out of Lake Worth Inlet, it's 54 nautical miles to the buoy at West End. You can fuel right at the Inlet at Sailfish Marina by Peanut Island to top off.
With my 90 Optimax, at cruise in blue water I run 24-25 mph burning right at 5 gallons per hour, plus a 20% fudge-factor. So I figure 10 gallons over, + 2 gallons fudge-factor = 12 gallons or <1/2 tank.

Even when I had the Mercury XR4 150, at 25 mph in blue water I burned only 7 gallons per hour or 3.6 mpg; so 14 gallons over + 3 gallon fudge factor = 17 gallons / 60% of a tank.

I haven't crossed since changing from the 150 to the 90 hp, but I have run 88 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Middle Grounds. I carried 18 gallons extra fuel last time I went, and burned it first. No trolling, two drifts, and then anchored up. GPS said total distance travelled was 191 miles round trip, and filling my main tank upon my return showed I had 8 gallons useable fuel left upon my return, which is more than the 6 gallon/1 hr reserve I planned upon.

Going over to the Bahamas in July, it's best to leave early AM, BEFORE Sunrise, while it's glassy. I've twice made the trip in my Seafari running 33-34 mph all the way over, which was my best fuel economy speed with the XR4 150. (7.9 gph or 4.2 mpg)

While I haven't made the run to the bahamas in nearly 8 years, I used to run over 3 to 5 times per week. (Yes, per week) I normally would sccot over after work, make a couple of dives, and come back same night. Mostly, I made the trip in a 25 Robalo with twin 200 mercs that belonged to the marina, and took the marina owner with me. (Free fuel that way) Also, afternoon weather and seas weren't as much of an issue with the bigger boat. It generally picks up to 2'-4' offshore in the GulfStream by 11 a.m. or so because of the seabreeze.

I try to time my departure for arriving in West End before 9 a.m. I allowed up to 3 hours for the crossing, steering a course of 104*. If I crossed in 2 hours, the tower at West End would be 1 mile north of steered course. If I took 3 hours, it would be 1.5 miles south of steered course. Even if I took 4 hours, the tank would be visible just 4 miles south of steered course. GulfStream current runs about 2.6 kts in the early summer, but varies from 2.3 to 3.0 kts in places. Coming back, steer 255*, and you'll see the Tiara condo which is 1/2 mile N of Lake Worth Inlet from 15 miles offshore.

But of course, with GPS nobody really navigates anymore.

[gofastsandman]

Early is the key. All can chime in if interested.

I haven`t calculated my burn. I`m afraid. Very. I burn 25 - 30 gallons in half a day of run n gun and trolling. I cruise at 3700 when I run. I`m still overpropped w/ my Mirage+ 17p on the 150 looper. Just missed a Powertech ofs 4 15p on Ebay. Logged in and couldn`t bid well before closing.
Denny was kind enough to give me a quick navigation refresher course in Key largo. He didn`t even make fun of me. It would have been easy. Maybe too easy.I hadn`t looked at a chart in 35 years. Why was I better at so many things when I was 12? Soldering comes quickly to mind.

I do carry my handheld in my tackle box. Can`t have too many backups. Denny has a gps in his E -Tec guages. I think he has a pet rabbit in there too. Just when you think you have him, you realize you`re not even close.
Thanks for the headings Father, it`ll be good practice. See how close I can get with my Teleflex wandering.
GFS

[Bushwacker]

Sandy, I used to burn about 8 gph with my old 115 V-4 cruising at 20 kts/4500 rpm with a Bahama type load. Averaged about 2.8 mpg over about 2000 miles of Bahamas cruising. I was always loaded pretty heavy, so I wouldn't think you'd burn much more than that because your boat is a lot lighter and you don't have to wind that bigger engine up so much. I used to burn about 35 gal to Walkers, which is about 100 nm. Usually took me about 60-65 gallons to Green Turtle, and I tried to carry about 80 just in case Walkers was out, which they were one time. West End is only about 60nm, so I'd figure about 20-25 gal for that run, each way. You always want some reserve however, in case it gets really rough and you have to drop down to min planing speed or if you have to tow somebody.

[Caymanboy]

Lots of chatter about fuel burn so on and so forth, any chatter about when? I was scheduled to leave Ft Lauderdale around the 12th, was going to be in GT around the 17th, I'll be in my trawler, towing my SC, schedule is somewhat flexiable, just trying to get a grip on when y'all thought you'd be there.

[rcnight]

My daugther has been after me for years to take her to Bimini. If Bimini is an option, I'd love to tag along. Time may be a consideration going further east for me. Probably good for a long weekend - maybe a week. The Bahama Tourism board runs their boat-a-cades 6/17-21, 7/8-12 & 8/5-9 to Bimini. Might be good to avoid those dates.

[ROBCAR]

I would probably sing up for that Bimini trip myself ....

[Snookerd]

Rob-You are right there! You should make that Bimini run this Summer. This is not my year for the 23, but GFS may need some navigational help