Abacos, June 2012

[Jposey66]

Abacos, June 2012 THIS TRIP WAS CANCELLED

This trip was cancelled.

If anyone is interested in buddying up, the wife and I are planning a trip to the Abacos, the first two weeks of June. Weather permitting, we will depart WPB no earlier than Sunday, June 3rd (now June 17th), and return no later than Saturday, June 16th (now June 30th).

Better throw it out there that this is my first crossing. I have been researching and dreaming about this trip for years. Looks like it finally going to happen, as long as fuel prices don't go through the roof.

Posey

 

[Ididntdoit]

If anyone is interested in buddying up, the wife and I are planning a trip to the Abacos, the first two weeks of June. Weather permitting, we will depart St Lucie or Jupiter no earlier than Sunday, June 3rd, and return no later than Saturday, June 16th.

Better throw it out there that this is my first crossing. I have been researching and dreaming about this trip for years. Looks like it finally going to happen, as long as fuel prices don't go through the roof.

Posey

There are a couple of us on here planning an Abacos trip - we have not set a firm date yet, but it will likely be early July - Likewise, I have been dreaming about this trip too - I'm planning for $7/gal - any less and I have more to spend on other stuff - any more and I'm still going anyhow........

 

[Jposey66]

Unfortunately, my timeframe is not very flexible. We have already planned ahead for having someone keep the kids. Also, we have no Gennie or A/C so earlier will hopefully be a little more confortable temp-wise. Actually would be planning the trip even earlier, but the kidos don't get out of school until the week we leave.

If you guys end up going earlier, give me shout.

Posey

 

[Ididntdoit]

Our kids dont get out until 6/22 - Then we make the trip from MA to FLA by car - and then Canaveral to Stuart or lake worth via the boat........As far as the lack of AC - you should be fine - let us know if your plans change too

 

[MonacoMike]

I want to hear all about your travel and what you learn for future trips. I'm keenly interested in smaller (trailerable singles) crossings. Good luck and start a new thread just for your trips.

MM

 

[islandhopper00]

Hey guys, a bit of advise.
Check with your insurance companies. It hard to get a rider policy for a small boat. You will be required to go with a "flotilla" at a minimum. 3 or more boats leaving from the same port, and arriving at the same port in the Bahamas, and return.

The other thing I recommend is the local boater option. You pre arrange your status before the trip and you won't be required to go to the airport to clear back into the states.

The shortest cross to the Bahamas/Abacos is from Lake Worth Inlet, West Plam Beach to West End Grand Bahamas. 60ish miles. Check your fuel closely. When you pack the boat for a island trip, it gets very heavy. Make sure you are propped right. Heavy boat, big waves = different handling. Following seas can get dangerous if you can't power over without going full throttle. Meaning gas mileage gets bad, and your range gets shorter and shorter as you have to run full throttle. My cousin wouldn't/couldn't listen to myself and his brother, when he kept running to fast. We tried to tell him if he kept running 30+ miles per hour he would run out of gas! And he did, 9 miles from shore! It sucks to tow someone in the ocean because he wouldn't listen.
Sorry, I don't mean to lecture, and you probably have more experience than me, but I feel it my duty to share experience.

Enjoy your trip, there's nothing like being in paradise on your own boat, that you captained over. Good luck, fair winds and a great weather window! haha

 

[islandhopper00]

Another thing to consider is secure parking for the truck and trailer. If you leave it in an unsecure ramp parking lot, it very likely will get broken into. Don't leave anything in the truck you don't have to. Thieves are creative, and watch for people who are going on a trip.

 

[Jposey66]

Hey guys, a bit of advise.
Check with your insurance companies. It hard to get a rider policy for a small boat. You will be required to go with a "flotilla" at a minimum. 3 or more boats leaving from the same port, and arriving at the same port in the Bahamas, and return.

The other thing I recommend is the local boater option. You pre arrange your status before the trip and you won't be required to go to the airport to clear back into the states.

The shortest cross to the Bahamas/Abacos is from Lake Worth Inlet, West Plam Beach to West End Grand Bahamas. 60ish miles. Check your fuel closely. When you pack the boat for a island trip, it gets very heavy. Make sure you are propped right. Heavy boat, big waves = different handling. Following seas can get dangerous if you can't power over without going full throttle. Meaning gas mileage gets bad, and your range gets shorter and shorter as you have to run full throttle. My cousin wouldn't/couldn't listen to myself and his brother, when he kept running to fast. We tried to tell him if he kept running 30+ miles per hour he would run out of gas! And he did, 9 miles from shore! It sucks to tow someone in the ocean because he wouldn't listen.
Sorry, I don't mean to lecture, and you probably have more experience than me, but I feel it my duty to share experience.

Enjoy your trip, there's nothing like being in paradise on your own boat, that you captained over. Good luck, fair winds and a great weather window! haha

I am certain that I do not have more experience than you. I have lots of inland hours boating and a few offshore, around the Keys, and that's it. Nice to hear from you. I have followed a lot of your posts here, as we have pretty much the same boat and you have been to the places I want to go. My boat came from your area. I bought it about this time last year, off of Lake Norman, right at Mooresville, near the golf course/country club.

I hope to not have to deal with the sea conditions that you describe, but preparing for them just the same. The plan is to wait for a really good weather window.


I have discussed my plans with someone at BoatUS and they said it wouldn't be a problem, but I haven't gotten any further than that, yet.

I have been busy this winter prepping the boat for this adventure. It was totally blank when I got it. Previous owner used it for nothing more than idling out on the lake in the evening to have a drink and watch the sunset. Had less that 250 hours on it and it was 11 years old. Some of the thing I have been doing are adding a garmin 441s GPS, Standard Horizon GX1600 VHF, wiring the DSC between the two, adding 8 ft Shakespeare antenna, adding a Magma grill, checking function of bilge pump, and going over nuts and bolts in the engine compartment. Still lots of other things left to do.

Another thing to consider is secure parking for the truck and trailer. If you leave it in an unsecure ramp parking lot, it very likely will get broken into. Don't leave anything in the truck you don't have to. Thieves are creative, and watch for people who are going on a trip.

This is still a concern for me. I have been researching this a bit and haven't come up with a plan that I am happy with yet. I was considering parking it in a fenced storage facility, after unloading the boat, and just getting a cab ride back to the boat. I prefer to find a marina with a ramp, that wouldn't charge an outrageous fee to keep the rig there for 10-12 days.

Thanks for chiming in!

JP

 

[Jposey66]

I want to hear all about your travel and what you learn for future trips. I'm keenly interested in smaller (trailerable singles) crossings. Good luck and start a new thread just for your trips.

MM

Will do!:thumbsup:

 

[trit21]

If you making the trip by yourself I would also recommend an EPIRB. If your offshore with no radio communication, an EPIRB could save your butt. even with a small group you might want to have one. For example, what happens if your boat goes down and you have no radio, handheld will not reach either coast at that point. What are the chances of that happening, probably pretty low but better safe than floating in the middle of the Atlantic with no help on it's way.

Sea build quickly off our shore hear. You may start at 2-3 ft seas but by the time you reach the gulf stream they have have built to 3-4 or worse because of the water flow north and wind. Not trying to scare or discourage you but be prepared. I would try to find someone to make the crossing with on your first time if possible. People seem to get real nervous when heading offshore once the land disappears and you still have 45 miles to go until land again. Having someone to help in case is always a good thing.

It is possible obviously with correct planning with your boat but prepare prepare prepare and once that day comes to cross, don't be afaid to call off the trip and have a back up, maybe the keys so the entire week isn't lost.

Been to Bahamas 4 times in varying sea conditions and I have no problem canceling trips due to seas/ weather and telling boat mates I am uncomfortable with going. FWIW.

 

[Jposey66]

If you making the trip by yourself I would also recommend an EPIRB. If your offshore with no radio communication, an EPIRB could save your butt. even with a small group you might want to have one. For example, what happens if your boat goes down and you have no radio, handheld will not reach either coast at that point. What are the chances of that happening, probably pretty low but better safe than floating in the middle of the Atlantic with no help on it's way.

Sea build quickly off our shore hear. You may start at 2-3 ft seas but by the time you reach the gulf stream they have have built to 3-4 or worse because of the water flow north and wind. Not trying to scare or discourage you but be prepared. I would try to find someone to make the crossing with on your first time if possible. People seem to get real nervous when heading offshore once the land disappears and you still have 45 miles to go until land again. Having someone to help in case is always a good thing.

It is possible obviously with correct planning with your boat but prepare prepare prepare and once that day comes to cross, don't be afaid to call off the trip and have a back up, maybe the keys so the entire week isn't lost.

Been to Bahamas 4 times in varying sea conditions and I have no problem canceling trips due to seas/ weather and telling boat mates I am uncomfortable with going. FWIW.

Yep, not afraid to cancel. The plan is to hold for a couple of days, if necessary, for the right weather. If it looks like there will be an extended spell of unfavorable weather, the backup plan is to head to the Keys.
Certainly interested in finding a buddy boat or two, hense this thread, but it will not be a deal breaker. Might even be able to find someone to cross with once I get down to the coast.


Thanks for your input! :thumbsup:

 

[islandhopper00]

I would suggest leaving from Lake Worth Inlet. You can anchor up next to Peanut Island for the night ( I anchor north of the island on the shoal), and leave early, early, early in the morning. I try to leave just as the sun comes up, but when you can see well. The ocean lays down during the night (I think it does, but could be full of it), the idea is, you can be 3/4 of the way across before the afternoon seas kick up. There will also be other boats stagged to head to the islands and you might pick up a buddy boat there. Ask around. There is a ramp marina near Peanut Island that has secure parking, with a security guard all night. I think they charge $15.00 a night. Not cheap unless you get broken into, then it's cheap! I'll look up the name of the marina. Sometimes I get a slip for the night there before leaving, so I can hook into shore power and have a/c so it's cool and I can get a good nights sleep before the stressful crossing. I always say the crossing is worth the trip. You'll understand what I mean after your trip, unless your lucky and have a flat crossing. I've been going for years and maybe 3 times did I have "flat" seas. Not that they were all big seas, just 4 hours of beating and banging around can get on your nerves. Prepare yourself for it! haha

The name of the marina is Lake Park Marina, lakeparkmarina.com call them and ask about their services.
Dang it, it might be Lake Park Harbor Marina, I think the name was changed. Maybe some of you Fla folk can verify! Either way you put it in you get to their web page.

HOLY COW, the overnight fee for truck and trailer parking went up to $25.00 a night! $10.00 to use the ramp! Dang it! Whew, I gotta do some more research for my trip. I didn't go last year, what a difference a couple of years makes. lol

 

[islandhopper00]

Jposey66 you'll have to post what you ended up doing so I can copy you! haha

 

[BritLady]

Please make sure you take an EPIRB with you! Our son's in the Coast Guard and patrols that area frequently. He can tell you of numerous SAR cases that could have ended VERY differently had the boats had an EPIRB on board. Seas can cut up very rough, very quickly. Anyone that goes off shore for any real distance should certainly have one onboard. Like others have said: prepare, prepare, prepare and go with others making the crossing. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip!

 

[islandhopper00]

You can rent epirbs or are they spots from west marine????

 

[Boulder GT3]

I always say the crossing is worth the trip. You'll understand what I mean after your trip, unless your lucky and have a flat crossing. I've been going for years and maybe 3 times did I have "flat" seas. Not that they were all big seas, just 4 hours of beating and banging around can get on your nerves. Prepare yourself for it! haha

I cross 4x a year. I've had maybe 3 flat crossings as well. If I were you, I wouldn't leave if the wind has an "N" component, the waves are forecasted at >2', or if you see any ridges of grey on the horizon the day you leave. Ridges or elephants = rougher water at the Gulfstream. On the way back, be prepared to stop at the West End and spend the night if you need to.

Once you're on the Bank and into the Sea of Abaco you'll have a blast with your boat.

Probably the best advice is to get all the knowledge you can from Islandhopper as he can help with fuel planning and weather envelopes.

 

[Jposey66]

I would suggest leaving from Lake Worth Inlet. You can anchor up next to Peanut Island for the night ( I anchor north of the island on the shoal), and leave early, early, early in the morning. I try to leave just as the sun comes up, but when you can see well. The ocean lays down during the night (I think it does, but could be full of it), the idea is, you can be 3/4 of the way across before the afternoon seas kick up. There will also be other boats stagged to head to the islands and you might pick up a buddy boat there. Ask around. There is a ramp marina near Peanut Island that has secure parking, with a security guard all night. I think they charge $15.00 a night. Not cheap unless you get broken into, then it's cheap! I'll look up the name of the marina. Sometimes I get a slip for the night there before leaving, so I can hook into shore power and have a/c so it's cool and I can get a good nights sleep before the stressful crossing. I always say the crossing is worth the trip. You'll understand what I mean after your trip, unless your lucky and have a flat crossing. I've been going for years and maybe 3 times did I have "flat" seas. Not that they were all big seas, just 4 hours of beating and banging around can get on your nerves. Prepare yourself for it! haha

The name of the marina is Lake Park Marina, lakeparkmarina.com call them and ask about their services.
Dang it, it might be Lake Park Harbor Marina, I think the name was changed. Maybe some of you Fla folk can verify! Either way you put it in you get to their web page.

HOLY COW, the overnight fee for truck and trailer parking went up to $25.00 a night! $10.00 to use the ramp! Dang it! Whew, I gotta do some more research for my trip. I didn't go last year, what a difference a couple of years makes. lol

After your first post, I had decided to add Lake Worth back to the possible launch points. I ran across Lake Park early in my research and saw the prices that you mention on their website. For 10-12 days, a launch, and a retreival, that's gonna get expensive.

"Prepare yourself for it! haha" I know why you laugh, cause ther is no preparing for that. In rougher seas, it's contantly "Do I speed up, stay on top, and take the beating or is it time to slow down and bobb along?" Been there a couple of times off of Marathon.

I will update, with some of the things I have been doing to the boat later.

JP

 

[Jposey66]

I cross 4x a year. I've had maybe 3 flat crossings as well. If I were you, I wouldn't leave if the wind has an "N" component, the waves are forecasted at >2', or if you see any ridges of grey on the horizon the day you leave. Ridges or elephants = rougher water at the Gulfstream. On the way back, be prepared to stop at the West End and spend the night if you need to.

Once you're on the Bank and into the Sea of Abaco you'll have a blast with your boat.

Probably the best advice is to get all the knowledge you can from Islandhopper as he can help with fuel planning and weather envelopes.

From all of the research that I have done, that rule would be right near the top of the list of rules. I have been studying Islandhopper's old posts for quite a while. Picked up quite a few tidbits from him, before he even posted here. Good stuff!

Thanks guys!

 

[islandhopper00]

Thanks for the props Boulder and JP.
I certainly don't know it all, but what I do know is small boats and crossing the gulf stream. It can be the most amazing or hateful thing you do in your boat. Weather is probably the single most important thing to watch.....even after you get on the bank. Squalls kick up fast, but most times blow over fast. It's nothing to have a storm fly by, rip up your canvas and ruin your trip, because you were snorkling on a coral head.
Second is ground tackle, there is no replacement for top notch anchor line and anchors. You will let your life depend on it.
Third is confidence and humility. It takes a smart man or woman to recognize you need to go the long way around a anything, instead of taking that risk you would at home. Realize every decision you make, could be the difference of life and death not between hero and zero.
Fourth is, out in the islands, you are your own police, fire, hospital, anything. When you call for assistance, every boater within the area will help. BUT, depending on where you are maybe there are not so many boaters, or even captains that have enough experience to help. You become your own island. Ask yourself this question, how far are you willing to put your family in jeopardy to help another in need. (you only get a call for help when something is bad)

I could go on and on of things to think of, but sometimes it overwhelms the intention of visiting the beautiful islands on your own vessel. Another thing to remember is to have a good time. Sounds dumb but it is easy to overthink everything and take the fun out of it. Slow down, get on island time and enjoy the scenery. The locals on the various islands are good wonderful people. They want you to have a good time. Their bread and butter come from visiting boaters. It always amazes me how far folks will go to help you out. (well that's been my experience). I'm talking about small removed islands, not the tourist traps with thousands of people.

I better cut this off, I love the islands and everything they have to offer, and love to talk about them. Sorry I get carried away.

 

[Jposey66]

Hey, you keep right on talking if you want! It's all good info, especially for an inlander like myself, just starting to venture out.

You mention ground tackle and that is an area I need to make some improvements in. I currently have one anchor, which is a slip-ring dansforth type with around 6-8 ft of chain. It has the number 13 stamped on it. I am uncomfortable with it here on the hardpack bottoms of the lakes around here. I have had it break loose when sleeping out on the hook, when the wind kicks up. Good thing I set the anchor alarm, on the Garmin. When I go down to the gulf coast, they seem to do better in the sand. I am thinking I should add more chain to the one I have. I also plan to pick up anther one, as I know I need at least two. Recommendations on the second one are welcome. What anchor setups do you carry?

JP