Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Bushwacker]

Made that trip about a half dozen times from Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Inlet 30-35 years ago, generally via Memory Rock to Walkers. One advantage of leaving from a little further south is that you get a lift from the current instead of having to fight it and aim south of your destination . . . I believe the compass course for Memory Rock was about 87 degrees true at 20 kts. I agree much easier to clear customs at Walkers than West End, and the Abacos are much nicer than Grand Bahama. Foxtown is ok if all you want to do is fish, and the reefs up north are probably less fished out, but there is a lot more to do further south. Families might enjoy Green Turtle, Great Guana, Man O'War and Hopetown more.

What's the gas situation and prices over there these days? I assume Walkers is still trashed. Any gas at Grand Cay or is Foxtown the only option? The guys I ran with years ago said Foxtown was fairly primitive . . . too shallow to get into dock, so they rowed the hose out to you in a dingy! Got gas via gravity feed from a tank up on the hill! Your pictures indicate it's a little more civilized now!

Got gas once at Cooperstown when Walkers was out; it was fairly primitive, with an unprotected 12' high pier out into Abaco Sound! Fuel line on dock had a leak (downstream of pump!) - little kids on dock caught the gas in a coffee can & dumped it into a 5 gal jug, said "get rest of yo gaas here mon!" We didn't complain because at least they had gas, but on the later trips I carried enough gas to run all the way to Green Turtle just to avoid those hassles!

[dave3fl]

Sounds like fun. I have always wanted to make the trip!

[Rainmaker]

It has gotten better at foxtown. Still not much to do there, I am not sure if we are talking a family trip here or a fishing trip. There is gas at Foxtown, and at Grand Cay (Rosies. Foxtown has 2 fuel docks now. 1 at the hotel I normally stay in and one a few miles up the coast. Both have electric pumps (unless the power goes out).

Gas is just over $6 at foxtown. As long as you don't need much more than 4' of water the docks are accessible.

[Snookerd]

not sure if we are talking a family trip here or a fishing trip.

I think we have both groups going, Rainmaker. I will be trying to have my family be a part of it. Our gatherings are usually pretty relaxed, so I would bet that fishing will a be a big part of it, but maybe not as much as your going to want to do. We should work on a few different plans and leave the door open for folks to just cross together if they have other plans...........At this point, I will be in my 18SF with riders in my boat.

[Caymanboy]

I just jumped in, when are you planning this trip?

[DonV]

Hey Danny, it would be nice to have Caymanboy as our leader. I don't know all the tricks and hoops you have to jump through once you get there, so his leadership would be valuable. However he's still on top my "jealous list".

[YeA 20sF]

Would love to make this trip out with you guys but I am not sure my boat nor am I ready for that big jump

[Caymanboy]

Here's the gig. I usually leave for the Abaco's 7/15 or so. Run and clear in W/E then run straight to Carter's, usually spend a couple of days around Carter's and Fish Cays, I could come over FoxTown way or stay up around Grand, I would love to spend a couple of days with all you guys, the ol' trawler just mozy's along at a leaping 7kts, but if people are leaving out of Laud or Mijami we can be in radio range. Anyway, got some time to plan.

[Snookerd]

Hey Danny, it would be nice to have Caymanboy as our leader. I don't know all the tricks and hoops you have to jump through once you get there, so his leadership would be valuable. However he's still on top my "jealous list".

Don - I like the idea of leaning on that experienced and current knowledge base of Caymanboy and Rainmaker. I have crossed over to the Bahamas since 1974 growing up sailing around SE FL and respect the Gulfstream current immensely.

For folks that are not interested in the longer run across due to whatever reason: With my tank size, I would plan on crossing to West End(less than 60 mi), getting fuel and keep on going north toward Walkers and go from there..........My motto for making the trip is......Leave early and have options and flexability.

Chuck-This trip has your name written all over it..........
Rainmaker-I'm still working around the start of the lobster season as we discussed earlier. I agree with you, that going over before 8/1 and not spearing lobsters will probably be a deal breaker (barring the weather) for me. That's a big part of what I plan on doing with my kids and hopefully a few CSC friends!

[Caymanboy]

I can change my schedule around a bit, to hit lobster season, I would probably catch up with you guys on the way back.
For the guys heading from the South, they may want to hit Bimini, then Lucaya put on fuel, run through the waterway, then on to either Grand or the backside of great Sale to Foxtown, I would have to check the distances, but I think that should put them at no more than 60nm a leg.
I don't know how green some people are, but it goes to say, where you are going, you either have what it takes to fix it yourself or a ton of money and time to have someone else do it, at half the quaility.
So, even with older engines and such, just make sure all your annual maintenence is done, and I mean everything, plugs, w/p, thermos, bilge pumps, filters.
I haven't had a problem buying bad gas or diesel over there, doesn't mean it can't happen.
As time gets closer we can do some better planning, but around there a good VHF, with an 8' ant is key, cell phones don't work so well away from main civilization.
Late July is good, even then, an hour or day can make a huge change in the weather, and a glass trip is much nicer (and shorter) than a choppy one, paitence and a good eye on the weather does pay.