Bimini Trip 2013

Good day to everyone,

We just moved to Miami from Newport Beach California. Our 46' Princess just arrived last week from the long journey across the states. She is currently in Ft. Lauderdale being re assembled and cleaned up. I am hoping to have her in the water by the end of next week to start getting her used to warmer waters :). We are very interested in your trip to Bimini and would like to get more details. Coming from California our only place to go on an island was Catalina and we made that trip twice a month. I have a wife and 3 teenage kids who love boating and scuba diving so we are thinking living in Miami is going to be great and look forward to meeting other boating families here now. Which page in this thread are your details on this trip? I am not sure exactly where I am going to be keeping the boat for now, I work in N Miami and live in Davie. My boss an avid boater says I want to keep in in the Biscayne area for now as all the action is around there and closer to get to the keys by Haulover cut. Not being from here I am learning. We use our boat almost every weekend in Cali but I feel boating was a little different as we didn't have a ICW we had lots of cliffs and nice coves to anchor in up and down the coast to hang out for the day on the hook. For now she is going to be docked up the new river since it is close to my house until we decide where to move her next. Looking to find some other families and boating friends that just love to be on the water like we do. We are definitely interested in seeing if we can make your trip just depends on timing so looking forward to going to Bimini and checking it out.
 
Awe come on, there's only 622 posts on the thread! Just kidding

Hello and welcome to south Florida. I can post the important points of the trip in a follow up post or other can reply sooner. I need to get some thing done this morning so I'll check back a little later.
 
The Trip......

1 - about 14 boats are going to Bimini for the Memorial Day weekend
2 - most boats are leaving on 5/23 and returning on 5/27
3 - everyone is staying at Bimini Big Game Club http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/
4 - boats are leaving from 4 or 5 different inlets, most at daybreak
5 - You are welcome to join us. If interested i would suggest that you call Big Game immediately and book a slip (tell them you are with the Club Sea Ray Group). This is a big weekend and they fill up fast.

Let me know what questions you have and we can address them.
 
I just looked at the CSR thread started in 2008 for the Memorial Day trip to Port Lucaya. I was always amazed at the number of posts and views on that thread. There was 563 posts and 29,540 views when it was all over and done with.

We have done pretty good on this thread too
 
We have a new boat going with us! Andrea (A1308) will be cruising out of Miami on Thursday. They have reservations at Big Game and will be returning on Monday with the rest of us.

ocgrant - have you decided on joining us?


here is the current list....

GOING
susanandlance
Odyssey
ardeprint
trit21
LMBoat
hansen64
Joelkoz
To Dive For
Tom Mitchell
RJ
Andrea C

MAYBE GOING
Kendall
Islandhopper00
Nicolas
John
 
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Hey everyone - Great News... there is a travel package for boats staying in participating marinas in the Bahamas now through June 30th. Stay 4 nights and receive a $300.00 credit toward your stay. I called Big Game and according to the person I spoke with, they are honoring the deal for us! She told me the credit is applied at check out with $300 deducted from the resort bill. nothing needs to be done in advance, just stay 4 nights and get $300 off your stay. Here is the web site -

www.myoutislands.com/fuel-credit-offer.cfm#

getting close!
 
that is great news - I look forward to it.. not sure if that can be repeated I am hoping to go back once again in June too when the rest of my family can join.

Andrea
 
Hey Randy,

Boy it's been a long time since I've been on the forum; or on my boat for that matter... Hard to believe I've been on the sidelines for so long... Not sure I can make the trip this early in the summer season.... but hope to get back over in July when I can have my son come down from Boston for a week... I haven't even had my boat out for months, and not sure the condition of the engines etc... Will be reading and enjoying hearing all the stories for sure, and will miss the company!!
 
Question: anyone know if the Customs office in WPB will be open on the Monday of our return? I kind of doubt it.

I have two guests who will be joining me from out of town. Their current plan is to fly in the evening before our departure and fly out the Tuesday morning following our arrival back. That doesn't give them any time to register for the Local Boater Option beforehand, nor time to check in with Customs if we can't check in on Monday.

What do you think? Should I get them here a day early or have them stay a day later?
 
What airport are they flying out of, is it an International Airport? If so, couldn't they check in with custom at the airport they are flying out of early early on Tuesday morning? Not sure if that would work but you might check into it, might makes things easier if it works. I know when I was in Daytona some of the people would just go to the airport to check back in, was pretty easy from what they told me.
 
Odyssey said:
Barry - great to hear from you and hope you can get back on the water soon.
Click to expand...


Thanks Randy,

Reading the post makes me want to get back on the water... Right now I'm trying to figure out where my PLB went... Missing from the boat, and I know I have to update info online too... Hope I don't have to spend another $500.00 on one!! Time to also change out my generator impeller and stock up on some spare parts for it and the engines... Also have to renew the customs sticker... Changed the radio a few months ago, need to pull the boat out and really compound and wax the hull and check the bottom paint... already sounds like $1,500.00 off the bat without even filling up :-(..

Going to plan at least one trip this summer either to Bimini Sands or Bimini Bay.. If I go to Bimini Bay, will probably be with Richard and the Bahama Fling ... After going so many times, it's nice to have the infinity pool and restaurants and floating docks there...And even though it's far away from Big Game, it's also nice not to get buffeted by wake in the middle of the night as no one pays attention to the no wake zone up there.. Haven't tried Bimini Sands yet, but everyone I know that has stayed there likes it...

Can't wait to hear all about the trip... Will be checking in and wishing I was with you all..
 
trit21 said:
What airport are they flying out of, is it an International Airport? If so, couldn't they check in with custom at the airport they are flying out of early early on Tuesday morning?
Click to expand...

Good point. They are both flying out of Ft Lauderdale. I guess there is a customs office there? I didn't see it in the list in Randy's cruising guide, so I didn't know if there was something special about WPB or Port Everglades. Maybe those are for the BOAT to report to?

For that matter, if crunched for time, could they check in at their home airport upon arrival? Perhaps I should call the CBP office and ask.
 
joelkoz said:
Question: anyone know if the Customs office in WPB will be open on the Monday of our return? I kind of doubt it.

I have two guests who will be joining me from out of town. Their current plan is to fly in the evening before our departure and fly out the Tuesday morning following our arrival back. That doesn't give them any time to register for the Local Boater Option beforehand, nor time to check in with Customs if we can't check in on Monday.

What do you think? Should I get them here a day early or have them stay a day later?
Click to expand...

I know the Port Everglades USCBP office (for reporting) is open 7 days per week. According to the website, it looks like the WPB office may not be. I would call to see what your options are . Like Tom said, the airport may be an option. they also may be able to do the LBO from where they are.. here is the web site -

www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/fl/5204.xml
 
joelkoz said:
Good point. They are both flying out of Ft Lauderdale. I guess there is a customs office there? I didn't see it in the list in Randy's cruising guide, so I didn't know if there was something special about WPB or Port Everglades. Maybe those are for the BOAT to report to?

For that matter, if crunched for time, could they check in at their home airport upon arrival? Perhaps I should call the CBP office and ask.
Click to expand...

yes, the FL Airport has an USCBP office that is open 7 days. check out the website and scroll down.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/fl/5203.xml
 
It seems like I pull the boat to the Palm Beach International Airport Customs office after coming back. They are never real busy, and clear you in pretty quick. In the 20+ years I've been doing this, I've never had them come outside and check my boat or anything like that. 2 years ago I demanded they come outside and check my boat for contriband!!!They just laughed at me, and closed the window! LOL
 
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