Bahamas in 38-42SR?
- Thread starter JC3
- Start date
mrtopknight
New Member
My buddy and his wife when from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini, Bahamas on waverunners with a group of other PWC's and 3-4 38'-40' support boats. The only bad news is that they had to plan for a 2-3 day weather window and even if you leave with good weather it can turn ugly real fast when the eastern/wester sea breezes collide.
I dont think you'll have a problem in a bigger boat, but I would still go with a small group.
I dont think you'll have a problem in a bigger boat, but I would still go with a small group.
WFYB
New Member
JC3 - the answer is simple. It's all about the conditions. You can cross the stream in a row boat on some summer days, You would not want to be in the stream in a cruise ship on others. I have made the crossing many times. I have been comfortable in a 24 and miserable in a 42. A general rule - Check the winds, out of the north be very cautious. Out of the north 15 kts or more don't go.
LMBoat
Well-Known Member
I've made 6 trips over in a 330DA. No problems, but you have to watch the weather and be flexable with your schedule. Do NOT plan a crossing if the wind has any northerly component to it.
WFYB
New Member
[quote="Do NOT plan a crossing if the wind has any northerly component to it.[/quote]
I certainly do not agree with this statement. It depends on the wind direction, the intensity, the duration the wind has been blowing in the same direction and the direction you are heading. For example: I would not hesitate to cross in a light northerly wind from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini particularly if the winds just swung around from the west. I agree that great caution and careful planning is mandatory when crossing the stream with any northerly wind.
I certainly do not agree with this statement. It depends on the wind direction, the intensity, the duration the wind has been blowing in the same direction and the direction you are heading. For example: I would not hesitate to cross in a light northerly wind from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini particularly if the winds just swung around from the west. I agree that great caution and careful planning is mandatory when crossing the stream with any northerly wind.
LMBoat
Well-Known Member
JC3,
The 330 did fine, it was the passengers that had the problems. Any wind and waves coming at the bow <or either quarter> is fine. I crossed once with mostly 5-6 footers hitting the bow. We had to slow to 17 knots <about as slow as we can go and still be on plane> and rolled up and down the waves but did fine <no pounding>. Any big waves and wind hitting either stern quarter is more "challanging".
The 330 did fine, it was the passengers that had the problems. Any wind and waves coming at the bow <or either quarter> is fine. I crossed once with mostly 5-6 footers hitting the bow. We had to slow to 17 knots <about as slow as we can go and still be on plane> and rolled up and down the waves but did fine <no pounding>. Any big waves and wind hitting either stern quarter is more "challanging".
370Dancer
Well-Known Member
- Oct 2, 2006
- 2,489
- Boat Info
- 1998 370 Sundancer
- Engines
- 380hp MAG MPI Gen VI with V drives
I've seen pontoon boats tied up at the Bimini Big Game Club
