Bimini Trip August 19-23

R

ray306

New Member
Jun 26, 2007
171
Hollywood, Fl
Boat Info
sundancer 350 1990
Engines
502 mpi
So who's up for a Bimini trip in August. My son Chris comes home from St. Maarten on August 18. We will be leaving early on August 19 out of Port Everglades and returning early on August 23. We will be staying at Bimini Big Game, should be awesome.

Anyone else want to go?

Ray
 
This is a trip I definately want to make but I'll have to wait until next year (due to work scheduling). Is it safe for a 280 Dancer to make the trip?
 
Bucit said:
This is a trip I definately want to make but I'll have to wait until next year (due to work scheduling). Is it safe for a 280 Dancer to make the trip?
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I would say yes, it's safe. The member IslandHopper makes the trip regularly in his 240DA. Common sense applies because the 280 wasn't intended to be an offshore vessel but it can handle 3' waves if you're careful.
 
Tonka Boater said:
I would say yes, it's safe. The member IslandHopper makes the trip regularly in his 240DA. Common sense applies because the 280 wasn't intended to be an offshore vessel but it can handle 3' waves if you're careful.
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For that matter, 240DA handles 3' waves like a walk in the park. 3' constant chop is a bit different story, but not a show stopper.
 
Common sense for sure. Bad weather = Bad trip! Looks like I'll be lining up a trailer for next year, make my way across the state and hook up with some of you for what I hope is a trip of a lifetime (or should I say one of many). How many people can say they went to Bimini on their own boat?
 
I would propose to anchor out one night (weather permitting) at the north end of the island. We went there last weekend and it was awesome.

RB
 
Randy and Ray,

I've been a flake about getting together due to some work stuff I've had going on. We're going to be in Bimini that weekend and I'll book at Big Game. My daughter that you met as well my wife and younger daughter will be there. The rough plan is to be there on Friday the 20th. Lv FTL early. We'll return Sunday or Monday. Look forward to seeing you. Tom
 
Boulder GT3 said:
Randy and Ray,

I've been a flake about getting together due to some work stuff I've had going on. We're going to be in Bimini that weekend and I'll book at Big Game. My daughter that you met as well my wife and younger daughter will be there. The rough plan is to be there on Friday the 20th. Lv FTL early. We'll return Sunday or Monday. Look forward to seeing you. Tom
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Great! Let's keep in touch before we go.

RB
 
I second Randy's post, come on down. We welcome anyone that wants to go.

As to the 240 crossing the gulf stream, just pick your weather. I went to Bimini last month with a group. Weather was not ideal. Noaa called for 3-5 in the gulf stream and we all know they are always spot on. Well, it was 6-8 or more once we hit the stream. Not a comfortable ride but we got it done and there were at least 4 boats of your size or less. I would not consider going in that sort of weather for a first trip, wait for a 2 ft or less day.

Tom, glad you are coming.

Ray
 
earthmover17 said:
Tom,
That sounds great your going. Glad you could finally get away for a trip.
I'll be there as usual.

Jack
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It's going to be great to get off an airplane and onto the water. I'm bringing my Exuma chart book. Bring some pics. Anxious to hear about the trip.

Best guess is that we'll leave FTL about 10AM on Friday. The last 2 crossings have been 4-6 with some 8's for fun. Looking for some smooth water to prove to my wife that 2's really exist.

Tom
 
ray306 said:
As to the 240 crossing the gulf stream, just pick your weather. I went to Bimini last month with a group. Weather was not ideal. Noaa called for 3-5 in the gulf stream and we all know they are always spot on. Well, it was 6-8 or more once we hit the stream. Not a comfortable ride but we got it done and there were at least 4 boats of your size or less. I would not consider going in that sort of weather for a first trip, wait for a 2 ft or less day.


Ray
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Ray, I have a 280 Dancer. The reference to the 240 was that the trip can be safely made with a samller boat. I really want to make this trip but wanted to make sure it was feasible and then get my ducks in a row for next year.
 
Got the reservations for the 20-23. It'll will be interesting to see how they've buffed the place up. Big Game feels like a nice balance between the rustic Brown's and the somewhat snotty Bimini Bay.

Water was flat as a pancake this weekend. let's hope for the same in two weeks. Tom
 
Tonka Boater said:
I would say yes, it's safe. The member IslandHopper makes the trip regularly in his 240DA. Common sense applies because the 280 wasn't intended to be an offshore vessel but it can handle 3' waves if you're careful.
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Hello guys, don't mean to butt into your thread, but my ears were burning. lol.
Yea, I make the crossing in my 240 every year. Like was said, watch your weather window and default to the conservative side and all will go well. Your boat will handle more than you realize. I've gotten caught in some very large seas and if you slow down use your head, don't panic, you'll run right through the mess before you know it.

The crossing this year went very different for us. We departed from Stuart, Fla. and crossed to Walkers Cay, cleared customs and refuled at Grand Cay. 120 miles total, 68 gallons of gas, 7 gallons spare. We figured out why we don't cross from Stuart. The seas were FLAT! Lake like, it was disturbing flat, the whole way. I kept waiting for the seas to kick up and they never did. So...when we crossed back we ran to West End and topped off fuel and crossed back.

On a neat note, crossing from Stuart it took us across the stream farther north than usual. When we crossed onto the bank and the depths rose up to 15-20 feet it was weird to see the bottom so clearly, but not see any land! Then the Lily Bank came into view, that was even more weird crossing that sucker. Sand bank, and I bottomed on it a couple of times before getting across, and no sign of land anywhere. I kept thinking if you ran onto it at night or something, you would be standing in the middle of nowhere waiting for help to arrive.
Oh well, long way to say go for it.
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement Hopper. I'm definately going next year so I;ll be watching the forum at the beginning of the year to see what the dates are.
 
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