First trip to Bimini

[Prattbratt777]

Hey Sea Ray members,
My wife and I are going to be taking our first trip to Bimini from Miami during May... Just a few weeks away. We'll be taking our 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 and our trip schedule will have us leaving from Bill Bird Marina in Miami Beach via the Bakers Haulove Inlet and heading to Bimini (weather permitting) on Thursday May 12 and returning Tuesday May 16th. Just curious if anyone on the Forum might also be taking a trip to Bimini during that same time.? I'm ready to go but my wife has some butterflies about crossing the Gulf Stream on our own. Might be nice to tag team with someone on The Forum who may be going as well. Worth asking! Thanks for your responses in advance.

 

[Strecker25]

Good luck! Make sure you take some pictures or videos of the trip. We have a very similar boat and while I'm much to far away to ever make that trip I can't wait to hear how it performs for the crossing.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I may be interested.....but most likely will be heading over later than that (early June)...where are you staying? Go on the hull truth - under the Florida forum there is a thread entitled official 2017 Bimini thread - a great resource - also, they maintain a calendar of people crossing to link up with a buddy boat - they are not overly sea ray friendly on that site though....

 

[Kmackey]

Hey Sea Ray members,
My wife and I are going to be taking our first trip to Bimini from Miami during May... Just a few weeks away. We'll be taking our 2000 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 and our trip schedule will have us leaving from Bill Bird Marina in Miami Beach via the Bakers Haulove Inlet and heading to Bimini (weather permitting) on Thursday May 12 and returning Tuesday May 16th. Just curious if anyone on the Forum might also be taking a trip to Bimini during that same time.? I'm ready to go but my wife has some butterflies about crossing the Gulf Stream on our own. Might be nice to tag team with someone on The Forum who may be going as well. Worth asking! Thanks for your responses in advance.

Not this trip, if you make future crossing I might be down, just bought a 96 270da still going through her to ensure a good trip


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[importmonkey]

Really curious to see how it goes for you! I've got a 260da and wouldn't even consider this trip. Sure the extra length and width and two motors help a LOT though. Best of lucks.

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[k9medic]

Crossing is pretty simple. Either way you are only around 25nm off shore.

We first crossed to Bimini in our 23' Yamaha Jet boat. We left early and cruised at about 25kts.

 

[Strecker25]

Really curious to see how it goes for you! I've got a 260da and wouldn't even consider this trip. Sure the extra length and width and two motors help a LOT though. Best of lucks.

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When I first started reading about it I thought the same thing but once you look at it on a map it doesn't seem like much (weather permitting obviously) We cross lake ontario with our 290 without much thought and it's not much less of a trip as far as distance. Ocean can be worse I'm sure, but the great lakes are no joke either.

 

[JC3]

Pratt, The 290 can do that trip EASILY in a good weather window. Key word there is good weather window. Odysea did a bang up job on a previous post or two, explaining
the nuances of the trip. I wrote a post many years ago for some people crossing it might help also? Do an advanced search and you will find some very good information on the Bimini/Bahamas crossing. Ididntdoit post above is on the money! My first trip was in a GlacierBay 2685 right after Hurricane Opehila(sp). It was a very sporty day to say the least. If you come out of Government Cut in Miami its about 50nm. On a pretty day expect to be out of land sight about an Hour give or take a little. We took that little GB 2685 all the way to Staniel Cay and back. Wait for a good weather window and go. Do not go if its just ok your first time. Be patient for that good weather window and the wife will want you to take her back next month! The actual color change as you hit the Bahamas Banks is magical and almost breath taking. PM me if you should need any further assistance. Great luck and fair winds, JC

 

[Prattbratt777]

We have reservations at Sea Crest Marina