CSR Bahamas Rendezvous (Spring Break 2015)

I think your assumption that GTC is the most likely place to cause problems is skewed. Why do you believe that? They go through a lot of fuel and GTC fuel is safer than Guana and probably Spanish and most certainly Grand.. You can pick up water or junk in fuel any place, even here in the states. If you are sucking from the bottom of the tank or if for some reason water is allowed to enter the bulk tank you may get growth. Little unfair to blame GTC for a problem 3 months down the road. Hell you could have even had the problem at WE if they sucked from the bottom of the tank or forgot to put the lid on the tank one night. But, I think what Tom is trying to convey is bring filters, primaries, secondaries, fuel treatment etc. Because you never know what you are going to get.

The way we do it is time it with the fuel delivery barge when in the bahamas. Wait 2-3 days after their scheduled delivery and wait for the tanks to settle, then fill up. Best chance to avoid the bottom and getting junk from the tank. We try to only get fuel from those that are filled from a delivery truck, might be sitting on a barge but another good way to avoid problems.
 
I totally agree that bad fuel can be picked up from any marina for the reasons you described, Tom.

I carry two spare sets of racors and secondaries. IS that good enough, or do you guys think I need more?
 
So now that we're closer to the departure date, can we get an updated list of boats that are going and which are doing a short trip rather than a long trip? I have an Excel chart that I've used in the past that will provide information for all

Randy, if we'll be able to cross, then I'll be doing the "long" trip, following the float plan I have listed on the first page:

Bahamas_Abacos_Float_Plan_A.jpg
 
I carry 8 racors and 2-4 secondary filters. If you get bad fuel, it may plug stuff up quickly. Friend of mine went through 8 filters 2 yrs ago due to bad fuel. But, he determined he had a blockage on the crossing so he received bad fuel in the states someplace. Took 2 months to clear it out and he still had to polish the tanks.
 
I thought also that I would give some things you might like to see and do. Sure wish I was going with all....
Double Breasted - Make sure you throw your anchor in the deeper areas and that it will remain deep the full radius of your rode swing; it's a bit tight in there and the tide and current can and will put your boat in just about every orientation. Regardless take your dingy around to the North fingers and further; there is good structure to snorkel and spear fish. I've seen some lobster in those rocks and have had lobster for dinner there. Double Breasted is a great area to simply veg also it's quite serene.
Green Turtle - There are a couple of good restaurants there and a very friendly atm. I like White Sound it seems cleaner and the docks at both marinas are better maintained. They have fresh water on the docks so you can fill up the tanks. At Green Turtle Marina you can rent golf carts very cheap and explore the island and the little town. Bluff House Marina is also nice but a bit further away if walking around. Down town there are some shops, bars, and restaurants. A nice area for a full day.
Alans-Pensacola - Very quiet and a nice area to gather on the beach for an evening campfire. Walk across the island to the Sign Tree.
Manjack - Put in for an afternoon in the south bay and explore the mangrove estuary to the Northeast very worthwhile. It's a great place to weather a storm and throw out an anchor for lunch.
Hope Town - While there stock up at Vernon's Grocery especially get their fresh baked bread, world renown. Visit the lighthouse it is well worth the climb up to the top. The original beacon equipment was restored about 60 years ago and it's really something to see it all work including the kerosene fueled light. The view alone is worth the climb. Hopetown Inn and Marina is a nice place; unless you are staying on a mooring this is where I would put in at. Their Mango Daiquiri is addicting.... They have very clean showers great pools and just about the nicest place to dock in the Bahamas. It's popular so call ahead; in fact Hope Town is popular so best no matter where you are going to put up call ahead. The pink sand beaches are a must.
Great Guana - One of my favorite places; I don't miss a stop there. Snorkeling the reef structure on the Atlantic side is probably one of the best areas; it's a very healthy reef. Obviously need to visit Nippers on Sunday for their pig roast but it is a crowded party. Bakers Bay is very up scale and also worth a visit. Grabbers is also a good little place to chill. You can moor your boat in Fishers bay and take your dingy into Grabbers which is right on the beach and it's a short walk over to Nippers. The anchor holding at Fishers is dicey so make sure you have a good hold. Dive Guana is there at Fishers Bay so if you desire to scuba the eastern structure they seem to run a pretty tight operation.
 
I carry 8 racors and 2-4 secondary filters. If you get bad fuel, it may plug stuff up quickly. Friend of mine went through 8 filters 2 yrs ago due to bad fuel. But, he determined he had a blockage on the crossing so he received bad fuel in the states someplace. Took 2 months to clear it out and he still had to polish the tanks.

I guess it's time to get more filters and extra additives.

I thought also that I would give some things you might like to see and do. Sure wish I was going with all....
Double Breasted - Make sure you throw your anchor in the deeper areas and that it will remain deep the full radius of your rode swing; it's a bit tight in there and the tide and current can and will put your boat in just about every orientation. Regardless take your dingy around to the North fingers and further; there is good structure to snorkel and spear fish. I've seen some lobster in those rocks and have had lobster for dinner there. Double Breasted is a great area to simply veg also it's quite serene.
Green Turtle - There are a couple of good restaurants there and a very friendly atm. I like White Sound it seems cleaner and the docks at both marinas are better maintained. They have fresh water on the docks so you can fill up the tanks. At Green Turtle Marina you can rent golf carts very cheap and explore the island and the little town. Bluff House Marina is also nice but a bit further away if walking around. Down town there are some shops, bars, and restaurants. A nice area for a full day.
Alans-Pensacola - Very quiet and a nice area to gather on the beach for an evening campfire. Walk across the island to the Sign Tree.
Manjack - Put in for an afternoon in the south bay and explore the mangrove estuary to the Northeast very worthwhile. It's a great place to weather a storm and throw out an anchor for lunch.
Hope Town - While there stock up at Vernon's Grocery especially get their fresh baked bread, world renown. Visit the lighthouse it is well worth the climb up to the top. The original beacon equipment was restored about 60 years ago and it's really something to see it all work including the kerosene fueled light. The view alone is worth the climb. Hopetown Inn and Marina is a nice place; unless you are staying on a mooring this is where I would put in at. Their Mango Daiquiri is addicting.... They have very clean showers great pools and just about the nicest place to dock in the Bahamas. It's popular so call ahead; in fact Hope Town is popular so best no matter where you are going to put up call ahead. The pink sand beaches are a must.
Great Guana - One of my favorite places; I don't miss a stop there. Snorkeling the reef structure on the Atlantic side is probably one of the best areas; it's a very healthy reef. Obviously need to visit Nippers on Sunday for their pig roast but it is a crowded party. Bakers Bay is very up scale and also worth a visit. Grabbers is also a good little place to chill. You can moor your boat in Fishers bay and take your dingy into Grabbers which is right on the beach and it's a short walk over to Nippers. The anchor holding at Fishers is dicey so make sure you have a good hold. Dive Guana is there at Fishers Bay so if you desire to scuba the eastern structure they seem to run a pretty tight operation.


Great post. Thanks Tom.
 
Ok, so I took care of getting my SVRS registration card today.....I also called Hopetown Inn & Marina and made a reservation for 2 nights arriving on 4/7 as per the itinerary. She said they are filling up quick so anyone who intends to stay at the Marina should make a reservation. We can change the dates if weather is an issue and worst case is they will charge you 10% of a one night stay if you cancel. Well worth holding a slip IMO.
Have we decided on a Marina for Green Turtle Cay. Might as well make a reservation there as well. I've stayed at the Bluff House Marina and remember it being a nice facility. I can't speak about about Green Turtle Club so does anyone have a preference or suggestion?
 
Ok, so I took care of getting my SVRS registration card today.....I also called Hopetown Inn & Marina and made a reservation for 2 nights arriving on 4/7 as per the itinerary. She said they are filling up quick so anyone who intends to stay at the Marina should make a reservation. We can change the dates if weather is an issue and worst case is they will charge you 10% of a one night stay if you cancel. Well worth holding a slip IMO.
Have we decided on a Marina for Green Turtle Cay. Might as well make a reservation there as well. I've stayed at the Bluff House Marina and remember it being a nice facility. I can't speak about about Green Turtle Club so does anyone have a preference or suggestion?

Steve,

I also made reservations with Hopetown Inn & Marina on the same terms you've described. Even though they have official 30 days cancellation policy, they perfectly understand our situation about the crossing and simply ask for letting them know as soon as we make the final decision, if we're crossing or not.

I spoke with Bluff House Marina, they also take one night charge upfront, and like with Hoptown marina asking to be notified ASAP. They said that if anything, they'll just refund the money. In order to place reservations with them, they need to email you a form to be filled and emailed back. I'm waiting for their form.
 
Steve,

I also made reservations with Hopetown Inn & Marina on the same terms you've described. Even though they have official 30 days cancellation policy, they perfectly understand our situation about the crossing and simply ask for letting them know as soon as we make the final decision, if we're crossing or not.

I spoke with Bluff House Marina, they also take one night charge upfront, and like with Hoptown marina asking to be notified ASAP. They said that if anything, they'll just refund the money. In order to place reservations with them, they need to email you a form to be filled and emailed back. I'm waiting for their form.

Ok, all set with the Bluff House Marina also..... Now we just need calm seas and sunshine! Of coarse cocktails also.....but that's a given and in my control..... The calms seas and sunshine are not.....
 
..... Now we just need calm seas and sunshine!....

Sending request to the weather GODs...:smt024:smt100
 
I didn't see it answered, so I'll chime in about the flags. Its my understanding your home port flag (USA) should be flown from the stern flag pole, and it can be a large flag. Courtesy flags and your quarantine flag should be flown from your bow post or on the radar arch, hard top.
 
Well... We are underway..... First leg getting across the state via the Ockochobee river is complete....docked at Pirates Cove in Stuart. Decided to leave a day earlier to take advantage of calmer seas tomorrow. Next stop, West End, Grand Bahama. Hopefully Alex can get his provisioning done early enough tomorrow to make the crossing tomorrow as well.....
 
Well... We are underway..... First leg getting across the state via the Ockochobee river is complete....docked at Pirates Cove in Stuart. Decided to leave a day earlier to take advantage of calmer seas tomorrow. Next stop, West End, Grand Bahama. Hopefully Alex can get his provisioning done early enough tomorrow to make the crossing tomorrow as well.....


How long did the OWW crossing take? What speeds were you able to make going across?
 
Left Naples around 6:30 am, arrived in Stuart at 5 pm. Cruising speed 24.5 kts. 5 locks... Took almost an hour to get thru the 1st lock. Bad timing and just missed transmitting so had to wait for it to cycle back... Port Maycaya lock was open so we were able to go right thru. The lake was flat. fair amount of slow down to pass slower vessels(sailboats and trawlers) but not to bad considering its a week day.
 
I might run over to West End for the day Saturday if stream looks good. You guys all gonna still be there?
 
Left Naples around 6:30 am, arrived in Stuart at 5 pm. Cruising speed 24.5 kts. 5 locks... Took almost an hour to get thru the 1st lock. Bad timing and just missed transmitting so had to wait for it to cycle back... Port Maycaya lock was open so we were able to go right thru. The lake was flat. fair amount of slow down to pass slower vessels(sailboats and trawlers) but not to bad considering its a week day.


Very nice. We have a trip to the Abacos planned for the end of July and we will have to cross twice. I'm debating going hull speed versus cruising (17kts.) At hull speed I am planning 8.75 hours to LaBelle and then 10.75 to Stuart.
 
Thank you. I guess the 7pm closing/opening is no longer accurate. I hope to be in a slip by 4-5pm each night. I'll be traveling with my wife and two young boys. They will want off!
 
How is the trip going?

Would love to hear a status check. Alex I know you normally post pics and details after the trip is over, just been thinking about you guys and hoping you are having a great cruise.

Mark
 

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