Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Snookerd]

We might as well get this out there so everyone has extra lead time!! Here is a link to the best web site for pictures:

Abaco Guide

[Islandtrader]

I may even be ready by then

[reelclassic]

How far of a run is the Abacos from Miami?

[zach]

I just got back from a Memorial Day weekend over there (flew there, no boat sadly). Stayed in Treasure. Those islands are awesome and would be a wonderful place for a get-together. Great fishing, great island hopping, great people.

Have you made the trip by boat before? What route did you take? Clear in Walkers?

Maybe if you put it off until August, a couple more of us in 20's would be able to make it. I think that's when its calmest.

[Snookerd]

I have been going there since 1974 by sailboat. Recently I have been flying over and staying at Green Turtle or Elbow. It is less then 60 miles to West End by boat. As Zach mentioned, even though Walkers is closed, there is a customs office. Heading out from Palm Beach Inlet / Jupiter Inlet are closer runs across the Gulfstream. I always went over in June because of the hurricanes getting better organized later in the Summer, but Denny mentioned the seas being flatter in July. With 18 and 20 foot SC's I think calm seas will dictate our date, that is why I picked July. There is a discovery cruise ship that can ferry the wives/GF's/children across the Stream to Grand Bahama, if they are not up for the bumpy ride(I estimated $225 for the buffet, entertainment,etc for my wife and 3 kids). The experienced boaters will tell you about the wind direction and the quick changes in the Stream. The distance is over 200 miles total one way, but riding on the bank is a bit nicer than the crossing from Florida.

[Islandtrader]

I have been going there since 1974 by sailboat.

Your not even that old, for cryin out loud.

[Snookerd]

Terry-
I'm actually 50 and have just had alot of work done . Seriously, since I was big enough to go over there(1974), I have been going. I'm a second generation fanatic of the Abacos. I think with the price of gas and the boycott of the new fishing regs, the FL crowd that came over there in droves with power boats has gone back to the Keys. The Abacos have a huge sailing reputation and I think the character of the islands now is probably being preserved better with less boat traffic . When YOU cross the Gulfstream for the 1st time and you spend YOUR 1st 2 weeks there on a boat cruising from different islands, you will understand why it is so great! Check out the Florida Sportsman web site in the Tropical Sportsman Forum and read the "Islands 5/8-5/18 thread" That is what it is all about IMHO..............

[Bushwacker]

Danny - you're right that the stream can get nasty in a hurry, but for what it's worth, in my 6 trips (12 crossings of the gulf stream), I had only one rough trip across the stream (seas went from 2-3 to 6-8) and that was an afternoon crossing with light winds, but what wind there was (~10 kts) veered from NW-> N-> NE. Most of our gulf stream crossings were early morning and were almost flat calm, never more than 1-2'. The little Bahama bank on the other hand was fairly choppy with 1-2' square waves at least half the time, I think because of tidal currents flowing against the wind in shallow water (you're never more than 10' from land! ), and because it was usually after 10 am after the wind picked up. Except for Great Abaco, none of those islands is high enough to block the wind, so it typically has 20-30 miles of fetch to kick up a nasty chop. You might not notice that in a 5 kt sailboat, but run thru that at 20 kts in a 20' powerboat for 6-8 hrs, and you'll feel a little shorter by the time you get there!

Your cruise ship to Freeport idea is a good option for the family though, maybe cheaper than flying in to Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbor. Just don't count on flat seas for the ride from there to the Abaco's! Of course then they'd miss the adventure of flying on "island time" on vintage DC-3's, DC-6's and twin engine Cessna's, Aero Commanders, etc.!

[Snookerd]

You might not notice that in a 5 kt sailboat, but run thru that at 20 kts in a 20' powerboat for 6-8 hrs, and you'll feel a little shorter by the time you get there!

Denny, your right about the different speed and style of boat on the bank for the tight chop........Picking your window to cross over from Florida in any boat is the most important part of the trip(I have been in a tropical storm off West End-not fun)-I would trade the tight chop for that wild ride. Also, a front can be way off the Carolinas and still create heavy waves-see Whale Cay rage conditions. In a sailboat, we would leave at sunset and cross over at night to arrive at West End around 6-8am.

[Snookerd]

Your cruise ship to Freeport idea is a good option for the family though, maybe cheaper than flying in to Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbor. Just don't count on flat seas for the ride from there to the Abaco's! Of course then they'd miss the adventure of flying on "island time" on vintage DC-3's, DC-6's and twin engine Cessna's, Aero Commanders, etc.!

The cruise ship idea saves me over $1000 vs flying family into Marsh or Treasure. I have researched this for a few years. It just makes sense financially and to keep the "natives" from getting restless on the crossing. The last time I was there by boat I was on a 48 foot sailboat, so the chop never entered my mind. Thanks for the heads up......