****New Poll****West End / Gathering?

[kmoose]

Awful lot of doom an gloom for a 55 nautical mile trip each way. I do that one way on a short day out on the Gulf. I understand the additional political logistics could be a PIA but overall a trip like that looks pretty easy minding weather and conditions. Maybe I'm a little jaded as I make several multi day trips a year out much farther than that but this doesn't seem like much a challenge for some of us here. For a second I thought I was on the Classic Carolina Skiff site.

[NoBones]

Not to sound sarcastic Ken, but how many crossing have you done to the
Bahama's ?

On the east coast out of Daytona we have to run 45 plus miles to reach the
stream ! So I hear you on a 50 mile run...
Crossing to the Bahama's is a whole different ball game from the Gulf
or even out of North East Florida...

The Bermuda triangle needs to be respected..

[cdavisdb]

Doom and gloom justified??

yes and no. The Bahamas is an easy run, most of the time, but the stream still deserves a little extra respect. i've done at least one trip a year for the last 25 and mostly its easy. The trick comes when its not. there ain't a lot of help available. Having very nearly got myself in bad trouble more than once, a little doom and gloom is warranted, just don't let it stop you. Chucks advice on spares and having somebody(preferably you) aboard who knows how to fix your engine is right on.

Make sure your sled is in perfect shape, spend the bucks for a huge set of spares and tools and safety equipment and repair manuals. Test everything well before the trip, watch the weather and GO! No place on earth like it.

Connor

[Terry England]

Originally Posted by kmoose

For a second I thought I was on the Classic Carolina Skiff site.

Jeeze Biff, I had waves break over the bow of a 65' Marine Management (Isla Mia) going across there out of Ft. Pierce - but don't call us CHICKEN!!!
Signed Marty McFly

[Capt Chuck]

Was not intended Doom & Gloom

I've done it many times and a prudent mariner with a long laundry list.
Many folks here have 20' footers. The Bahama Bank is one thing but crossing the stream with a cross wind will test your skills and integrity. The fuel, gear, ice, etc. necessary could prove to be a burden.

Thanks for your input, Just mentioning from experience

[kmoose]

Lighten up guys I put a on the post for a reason. Yes been across to the west end once but multi times to Bimini. I'm not trivializing the hazards of a blue water crossing just keeping it in perspective. I wouldn't push or recommend somebody uncomfortable with traversing the gap to take it on blindly but there are enough here salty enough to make the trip with no more risk than pulling their boat behind their truck down 95 for the same distance. For those that have been there, done that... I understand but my wife has not been and we're going. I would love for others who want to go to join us. Just trying to mix things up a little. We love the regular gatherings and will be attending as many of those as well.

[Vezo, Part II]

Not to sound like a re-TARD, but I have been interested since Kens first post. Something I'd like to accomplish. Never interested before, but I would feel safe crossing with the people I've met. Firefighting for 30 years, no one would or should accept the blame of my own mistakes. However, I would like to be as prepared as possible, and have not purchased the boat which I plan to make the crossing, as of yet. More to follow...

Vezzosi, Part II

[bumpdraft]

Maybe I'm just getting old. I used to do things in my younger years that I would think twice about doing now. I remember being halfway to Bimini off Miami in my 17 ft' Mako with four of us pulling dolphin in with a raging thunderstorm between us and home. Later, I was out in six foot seas in my 18' Seacraft off Sebastian fishing near the Kingfish fleet and heard over the radio "just look at that little boat over there, what's he going to do if it gets rougher". Now, I try to pick good days when I go out in my 23'. Any hint of offshore moving storms, I tend to stay close. Funny how that is.

[kmoose]

My days of charging out in marginal weather are over as well. I used to want a bigger boat so I could go out in the winter and fight the gulf with my young friends for a cooler full of fish I would give away. Now I enjoy exploring and finding new spots, making a half a dozen dives and enjoying the ride on nice days. This trip wouldn't be any different. I have become pretty decent at projecting comfortable days on the water but am well versed in dealing with the unexpected that can happen. I have all the equipment on board that should thwart any life threatening situations on a summertime crossing other than an instantly developing hurricane popping up in my path that was invisible to all modern forecasting. I won't need to fuel, I easily carry enough ice for a week and other than my wife's wardrobe collection needed for a few days I should be good and pretty self sufficient. For whatever else..... there's MasterCard.

Currently I'm looking at a window between June 25th thru July 10th. Next week I'm going to look at picking a place to stay with the options of reserving a have a room for 3 days up to a week if necessary to abide for any weather. I will have room for 2 additional people on my boat if someone wants to roll the dice on my old sled. Just make sure your will is all in order and your next of kin is notified before we shove off. We'll be crossing the "Devil's Triangle" twice and I'm expecting whirlpools, sea monsters, ship swallowing gas bubbles, and UFO abductions. Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot, over.

[Snookerd]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Currently I'm looking at a window between June 25th thru July 10th. ............. Just make sure your will is all in order and your next of kin is notified before we shove off. We'll be crossing the "Devil's Triangle" twice and I'm expecting whirlpools, sea monsters, ship swallowing gas bubbles, and UFO abductions. Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot, over.

Ken-That's my time frame if I can get the natives going! Good stuff! I can neither acknowledge or deny that the X files will be filming along side our crossing. I asked them to be a buddy boat all the way to Hope Town, lol!