Back from Bahamas islands trip

[islandhopper00]

I'm finally back from my island trip to the Bahamas this year. Needless to say, we had a good time, but had alot of troubles. Boat and truck!
My truck broke down in Jacksonville, Fla. and cost me $5300.00 dollars to get it out of the truck hospital. lol. Must have been a hospital due to the cost. Had to replace the fuel lift pump and injector pump. I know, I know.
Boat troubles was a water pump, and various other little but bothersome troubles.
Due to the tropical storm there was ALOT of sea grass floating around and clogging up a/c and generator strainers.

I lost my dingy with outboard during a storm.

The rentless rain and wind worked on everyones nerves due to being locked up in the cabin.

The positive note is that during the nice periods, the senery was beautiful, as was the water.

I'll work on the pics, and post what I can.

 

[nickysc]

Mike, Glad you had a safe trip and a safe return. Can't wait to see the pictures. Sorry about you'r truck, OUCH:smt089

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Glad you are back safe and sound. Next year...fly

 

[SearayPaul]

That was a bad omon when Mr Cummins let you down. I hope you had a whole lot more fun than you did trouble.

 

[sprink56]

I'm finally back from my island trip to the Bahamas this year. Needless to say, we had a good time, but had alot of troubles. Boat and truck!
My truck broke down in Jacksonville, Fla. and cost me $5300.00 dollars to get it out of the truck hospital. lol. Must have been a hospital due to the cost. Had to replace the fuel lift pump and injector pump. I know, I know.
Boat troubles was a water pump, and various other little but bothersome troubles.
Due to the tropical storm there was ALOT of sea grass floating around and clogging up a/c and generator strainers.

I lost my dingy with outboard during a storm.

The rentless rain and wind worked on everyones nerves due to being locked up in the cabin.

The positive note is that during the nice periods, the senery was beautiful, as was the water.

I'll work on the pics, and post what I can.

I saw some of your pics on another post and have to give props to you guys !! That kind of water in a 24' boat is a place for experienced men and not "wanna be's" You have to keep your cool and know your equipment as well as have good solid seamanship skills to work through that kind of stuff. Sounds to me like the frequency of those breakers worked for you in a 24 and against the 44. Even still...you still have to know what you are doing.

Good job and post some more pics.:thumbsup:

 

[islandhopper00]

I saw some of your pics on another post and have to give props to you guys !! That kind of water in a 24' boat is a place for experienced men and not "wanna be's" You have to keep your cool and know your equipment as well as have good solid seamanship skills to work through that kind of stuff. Sounds to me like the frequency of those breakers worked for you in a 24 and against the 44. Even still...you still have to know what you are doing.

Good job and post some more pics.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the props. Kinda hard to get around here. More nay saying than good. Mike
Pics are on the way.

 

[islandhopper00]

Here are some of the pics promised! Whew, what a work out.

 

[sprink56]

Nice !! Thanks for sharing.

John

 

[islandhopper00]

Here's more!

 

[nickysc]

Mike the pictures look great, may be one of these years we can join you on this trip. Thanks for posting .

 

[chuck1]

Good to hear you made it back safe and sound. Cool pictures Mike thanks for sharing.

 

[Kendall]

Awesome pictures!

 

[Four Suns]

So... would you take a bow rider over in the waves you had in the other post?

No, I'm saying in different seas and different captains with varing levels of experience a small boat can do well. It surprised me the 44 was having trouble. The captain was complaining of the waves breaking over the foredeck and washing the bridge over. I guess, do to the wave period, his boat was long enough to poke the bow into the next wave rather than over it.

Here are some pics I could take while trying to drive.

 

[SearayPaul]

Thanks Mike. Looks like ya'll had a very exciting adventure.

I will ask the stupid question. What is the yellow flag for? Quarentine?

 

[brian2001ss]

Wow, those are some waves.

Thanks for the pics. I would love to do that, but I am not one of crazy ones that do it in a bow rider. Must get bigger boat first.

 

[chuck1]

So... would you take a bow rider over in the waves you had in the other post?

Gary, Even I would not leave port with those waves:wow:

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks like a nice place.
How do you get off the boat onto the docks? Those are sitting pretty high.
In the pic that Gary posted, that doesn't look too fun, but we've seen those around here in the straits. Nothing you want to spend too much time in, that's for sure, but doable(provided you have enought fuel and time).

Good stuff, thanks for sharing

 

[islandhopper00]

So... would you take a bow rider over in the waves you had in the other post?

No I would not want to be in a bow rider in thoes seas.
And this is the situation that is the catch 20 for a crossing. When you get to the bank and HAVE to cross them to get to protected waters, a big decision has to be made.

Once again for me, I cross by myself. I only endanger myself. It's a choice I make every time I cross. If I had a family and wanted to cross in a small boat, I would probably fly the family to Grand Bahamas, them let them board at West End. The Little Bahama Bank is usually not so challengling. That's where the fun is anyways. That's my opinion.

Even in your situation Gary, I would fly the family over and let them board at West End because the best way to ruin a vacation is to scare the crap out of the wife and kids.

 

[islandhopper00]

Thanks Mike. Looks like ya'll had a very exciting adventure.

I will ask the stupid question. What is the yellow flag for? Quarentine?

Yes Paul the yellow flag is a quarentine flag. Only the captain can leave the vessel to clear customs. After clearing customs, the quarentine flag is dropped and the Bahamas flag is flown.

 

[islandhopper00]

Looks like a nice place.
How do you get off the boat onto the docks? Those are sitting pretty high.
In the pic that Gary posted, that doesn't look too fun, but we've seen those around here in the straits. Nothing you want to spend too much time in, that's for sure, but doable(provided you have enought fuel and time).

Good stuff, thanks for sharing

Todd, if you look close at the pics you might see a ladder built into the docks near the bow of the boat. However I just usually climb up the side. The tide has a pretty big differential from high to low.