2019 Bahamas Grand Cay MOAG (Mother of All Gatherings)

[Vezo, Part II]

Very cool video. Would anyone be doing the trip in a 20? The MA will have a new 80 gallon fuel tank, 175 Johnson, and the Seafari only has 40 gallon fuel tank, and 150 Etec. I’d prefer the Seafari and a fuel bladder. Is it like 80 miles to island fuel? Hoping to get 3+ mpg (or 3+ gph?) with addition of PowerTech four blade prop, as well as lower planing speed.

Yes I’ve seen the video of the BW 15 Sport make the crossing. Haha

Vezo, Part II

[Snookerd]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Very cool video. Would anyone be doing the trip in a 20? I’d prefer the Seafari and a fuel bladder. Is it like 80 miles to island fuel? Hoping to get 3+ mpg (or 3+ gph?) with addition of PowerTech four blade prop, as well as lower planing speed.

Yes I’ve seen the video of the BW 15 Sport make the crossing. Haha

Vezo, Part II

Michael-You have to take the 20 Seafari! Bushwacker did it over 1/2 dozen times. Count on it being around 105 miles, then add the 1/3 reserve fuel.

[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.

[bumpdraft]

$15 sounds like a bargain. The last time I went to Walker's, over 20 years ago, we paid $20 for a bag of ice.

[77SceptreOB]

How much is gas in the Bahamas? Oh, and BTW my motor only likes non-ethanol fuel...lol!

[shine]

Originally Posted by bumpdraft

$15 sounds like a bargain. The last time I went to Walker's, over 20 years ago, we paid $20 for a bag of ice.

deflation I guess, I bought 150 lbs from Rosie for $43, last week. Love Grande Caye

[Snookerd]

Let's get this thing moving, brothers....I am looking at locking in my extended trip dates around July 4th next year. Those houses get booked early. And besides, I enjoy the plan and the planning.....Whoever wants to do the extended trip, now is your chance to get your plan together while the gettins good. One of the more common things that guys say about the trip is that going for a week should be the minimum (especially because of all the work). If the extended crew crossed together around 7/2, we would still have a few buddy boats and CSC friends to enjoy the Abacos for those 10 days, and then meet up with the crew on Grand Cay on 7/11 or 7/12 and cross back on 7/14. Also, We need to open this up to friends of CSC. We need to bolster our ranks on this one.

Please post your Bahamas crossing must haves lists (Capt Chuck has one of the most comprehensive lists).....

[Old'sCool]

For those of you on The otHer siTe....No affiliation I just thought it was a stand-up offer and may be convenient.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/florida...r-parking.html

[DonV]

Very good info!!!

[cdavisdb]

Nice offer. That might change some of my plans, need to think about it.

Gas in the Bahamas never has alcohol in it, that I know of. Normally what you get at the dock is about 91 octane.