2019 Bahamas Grand Cay MOAG (Mother of All Gatherings)

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Very cool video. Would anyone be doing the trip in a 20?

Yes I’ve seen the video of the BW 15 Sport make the crossing. Haha
Vezo, Part II

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Very cool video. Would anyone be doing the trip in a 20?

Vezo, Part II

I've made the crossing from Lake Worth to West End or Memory Rock in a 13' Whaler many times, with nothing for navigation but a compass and a VHF radio. 54-58 miles, one way.

1982 Johnson 35hp, 4 aluminum tanks, two guys and two dive bags, plus a cooler with lunch and lots of water. It was usually about 1:45 going over on an early summer morning at 30-35 mph over a glassy smooth sea, and about 2:30 - 3 hours coming back over a less-than-glassy sea.

We had an 18 gallon under-seat tank, with an extra 2.5 gallon gas can, just in case. We'd usually burn about 15-16 gallons round trip. First couple of trips we refueled at West End, but then realized we had enough fuel for the round trip.

The 2nd summer, I bought the family 1969 20' Seafari, and began making the trip in that. With only a 29 gallon fuel tank and running a 1973 Mercury 1500, it did NOT have the fuel capacity to go round trip, so we usually carried a portable 12 gallon fuel tank with premixed gas along, and burned it first. I made many trips in that boat too, including several solo trips. I took that boat all the way to the Abaco's twice, and to Bimini and the Berry Islands twice.

My point is this: Have no fear. With careful planning, prudence and a weather eye, the trip is eminently do-able in even an 18" SeaCraft.