Bimini group crossing excursion

A

alfnator

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I would like to make a trip to bimini in the July or August timeframe from Miami or F.Lauderdale in a 24 Cabin Cruiser.

Anyone know of a good site to find out about upcoming group crossing events? or places to stay?

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm running out of Govt Cut sometime around the 18th of this month as long as the weather is just about perfect. This will be my 2nd trip in my 30 foot cruiser. Staying at Bimini Sands for about a week with the wife and kids.

Some useful info can be found at http://forums.floridasportsman.com/forum/main-forums/tropical-sportsman

If this is your first trip I think you're wise to go with a group of boats. Personally, I wait until the winds are less than 10-15 and seas 2 to 3 ft or less and I stay put if there is any North element in the wind direction. I carry spare fuel filters, spare belts, spare impellers, full tool set, EPIRB, etc... Just be prepared to be self sufficient.

Other than that, have a good time in the islands mon! I know I'm gonna! :D
 
There are only a hand full of places to stay on Bimini. Most people seem to like Bimini Big Game Club. Unless you want a bit fancier place. Then it's Bimini Bay.
 
I stayed in the newly remodeled and reopened Big Game Club last month and really liked it.

I'm going back over later this month and will probably spend a night or two there again.

Bob
 
Bimini Big Game Club has been closed for a long time, but recently was purchased by Guy Harvey and was just renovated and reopened. http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/

Bimini Bay is nice looking, but attracts the wrong crowd. Also, they are tearing apart the mangrove habitat with that development: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOptwatDWQ0

I stay at and recommend Bimini Sands on South Bimini. http://www.biminisands.com/ A bit off the beaten path, but I love the vibe and its easy enough to take the water taxi to North Bimini/Alice Town to bum around.

Another good place to stay is the Sea Crest Hotel. http://www.seacrestbimini.com/

There are a few other places I've seen or heard of, but don't know enough about to recommend.
 
Bimini Blue Water was good to us recently.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Bimini Blue Water was good to us recently.

Click to expand...


Blue Water had no fuel yesterday or today. We ended up going down to Cat this morning delaying us 2.5 hours.

The crossing today was like a pond.

Ken
 
quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Bimini Blue Water was good to us recently.

Click to expand...


When are you going back Dan?

Bob

Click to expand...


All things considered, we will hopefully float Freedom late Sept. early Oct.. From there it depends on the engines and shafts. If everything works, we may head right over. Else we will probably hang in fl. to have work done.
 
fuel prices in the smaller islands are always higher than Nassau so you really want to fuel there before heading back.

i agree about Bimini Bay but some people like it... when i just stop there on the way to Nassau and the Ex. i usually stay at Sea Crest.

I'm probably heading to bimini later on this months, not 100% sure of the date yet, prob. the last week, staying at Bimini Sands.
 
WOW! THANKS everyone for the information and quick replies. This is going to be our first crossing so the recommendations are really appreciated.
 
We are headed across on July 24 from Ft Lauderdale, weather permitting. We will be going past Bimini and on to Nassau, returning through Bimini a few weeks later.

Pascal, I like the route you mentioned in the other thread from Nassau to Exuma, avoiding the yellow bank. I noticed Pavlidis also mentions it in his guide.

We came back from the Abacos through West End a week ago. We left the boat at the Marina Bay Marina in Ft Lauderdale, going up the New River on July 4th. Wow, that was tight with all of the July 4 traffic.

-Rick

Viking Sport Cruiser 50 FY
"Silver Lining"
 
Here's a couple of more recommendations.

If you like beer, bring it with you. Because beer is very expensive in the Bahamas.

And be prepared to stay longer or leave earlier based on the weather.
 
"If you like beer, bring it with you. Because beer is very expensive in the Bahamas."

yeah but is so cheap, who needs beer? you can get 8 year old Barbancourt for $10 something at the liquor store across Sea Crest!

just make sure you stock up on fruit juice, they're harder to find than rum...
 
I am planning, weather permitting, to depart Palm Coast on the 19th and cross over on the 21st or 22nd.

I will leave out of Lake Worth and go directly to West End. From there I haven't really decided but will probably go down to Bimini and anchor/fish/SCUBA dive around there for a few days.

From there have not decided yet. Chub? Nassau? On to Exuma's? No plan yet.

So, anyone going over in that time frame, keep you eyes out for a stubby little Carver Voyager, "Jimbo Song" and give a shout/wave/cold drink. :)

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

"If you like beer, bring it with you. Because beer is very expensive in the Bahamas."

yeah but is so cheap, who needs beer? you can get 8 year old Barbancourt for $10 something at the liquor store across Sea Crest!

just make sure you stock up on fruit juice, they're harder to find than rum...

Click to expand...


I agree. And rum is much easier to store than beer too!
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

"If you like beer, bring it with you. Because beer is very expensive in the Bahamas."

yeah but is so cheap, who needs beer? you can get 8 year old Barbancourt for $10 something at the liquor store across Sea Crest!

just make sure you stock up on fruit juice, they're harder to find than rum...

Click to expand...


I agree. And rum is much easier to store than beer too!

Click to expand...


Last trip I brought back a bottler of Cruzan single barrel estate rum. WOW! Gotta get some more of that!!

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

I will leave out of Lake Worth and go directly to West End. From there I haven't really decided but will probably go down to Bimini and anchor/fish/SCUBA dive around there for a few days.

From there have not decided yet. Chub? Nassau? On to Exuma's? No plan yet.

Click to expand...


If you want to end up in the Exumas why not mosey down towards Ft. Lauderdale and then cross to Bimini and blow off West End?

Just curious.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

I will leave out of Lake Worth and go directly to West End. From there I haven't really decided but will probably go down to Bimini and anchor/fish/SCUBA dive around there for a few days.

From there have not decided yet. Chub? Nassau? On to Exuma's? No plan yet.

Click to expand...


If you want to end up in the Exumas why not mosey down towards Ft. Lauderdale and then cross to Bimini and blow off West End?

Just curious.

Click to expand...


Well, actually, there's no particular reason other than 1) I hate that extra 40 miles south on the ICW and 2) I am not sure if I will go on the the Exumas this trip or not. Beyond Bimini/Sapona/Cat Cays I haven't really decided on anything certain.

If I luck up and catch a day as flat as my last trip I may go from Lake Worth straight to Bimini and by pass West End. But, it depends on the weather and whim. :)

Plus, I've caught some very nice fish trolling south from West End down towards Great Isaac and the Gingerbread Grounds.

Bob
 
Bob I agree with your plan. When we came back we met a couple that we ran into over at Lucaya. Their intentions of heading North towards Canada from Fl. went like this. Back across to West End from Ft. Lauderdale, taking advantage of good weather and currents. Then back over to the U.S. again taking advantage of the GS. So on the way North in a boat that cruises briskly (compared to Freedom) it can be more fun to go that route.
Going South, having crossed from Lucaya to Bimini you know that drill and what to expect. And it sure beats the ICW. Yes, it's a long stretch of open water but if the weather cooperates you blow off a mess of the ICW. But timing is everything. About the only down side is that West End can be expensive if you wind up getting stuck there.
 
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