Going to Bahama fest and scared sh@#@$%@

phoenixhotrods

New Member
Dec 6, 2010
72
canada west coast
Boat Info
1987 searay 270
Engines
2 350, 260 alpha ones
We live up in the central part of Canada and would like to go to Bahama fest.
We have a 88 270 sundancer and a 88 300 sundancer, can these boats make it from Miami to the Bahamas and is there any danger, Weather, Pirates???? Is there a large amount of crossings each day just in case we need help??
Jon:huh:
 
Although I've never made the crossing yes both boats would make it although the bigger the better. Depending on weather conditions it takes 3-4 hours to cross and you're there. No pirates but the weather can get nasty at times.
 
I have been wanting to go to Bimini with my boat (as many here with 30 foot or so boats do) but Nassau looks like more than three times the distance from Miami as Bimini is.

I think one the biggest questions is; how large is your fuel tank? Not sure about fuel stops between Bimini and Nassau but it sure dosen't look too good.

If you decide to do it anyway, maybe you can catch up with a group that is going. That would be alot safer.
 
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I know a 100 gallons of gas does not go far with a single 454, Mike.
 
I am not familiar with the area since I boat on the great lakes but using marinas.com it showed about 110 miles from Bimini to Nassau
The 270 would be tight especially with only 120 gallons of fuel. The 300 DA has 140 gallons and if it has out drives it would get about the same mpg as the 270. But if the weather got nasty and you were fighting 3-5 ft waves your mpg would drop and you probably would not make it on a full tank of fuel. Unless there is another route or place to fill up half way.
 
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Guys, I went all the way to Conception Island in my 2685 Glacier Bay. Spent 5 weeks going thru the Bahamas in it.
You stop and refuel in Cat or Bimini then Andros or Chub then on to Nassau. True milage is around 55nm from Miami to Bimini. Bimini to Chub around 75nm then another 50nm or so to Nassau. Weather, weather and then weather is the most important factor. I have been to the Atlantis by boat 5 times now. Its approx 175nm from Miami to Nassau. July is the best time to try and cross the gulf stream but we did it in June 2 years ago. Prep, prep, prep is the key to a safe trip. If you want me to answer any particular question just pm me. A well maintained 270 would do just fine if all the saftey precautions were taken. Buddy boat for first crossing
Would be best. Sea tow or Some other towing optiion is a must. There is alot, i say alot of prep work that has to be done going in a small
boat but we had a GREAT time in our glacier bay. The 450 DA is like heaven sitting off Big Major Spot watching the sun go down with that
beautiful water all around you. I cant wait to go back! Good luck, JC
 
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Again I am not familiar with the area but it looks like there is a marina at Chub Cay, that is only 80 miles from Bimini. I am not sure if they have gasoline but if they do I think your trip would work.

By the way that area looks beautiful, I cant wait until I retire and I can take a few weeks exploring that area on my 68 ft Nordhavn :smt038
**donations to the Andy K Nordhavn fund can be in form of check or cash**:grin:
 
I'll be making a couple trips next year!! I waited too long and got screwed by tropical storm Don (ironic since that is my name) this year :( That 75 mile stretch might have me puckering a little! Might need to take a bladder!
 
phoenixhotrods
See by your header you are from the west coast of Canada. We boat out of Nanamo and have gone to Alaska. There are two 50 mile crossings we do. If you have not taken your boat in open water where you can not see land you will be in for either a scarry ride or feeling of alone. If you get in 2 to 3 meter swells and the tops blow of the waves you will wonder why are you there. I personally would not do my first crossing of that length without doing some big rollers close to land first. If you have engine problems in the open and are alone you can figure out what it will be like. We had a raw water pump seal and bearing go on a crossing once. We kept going and when we got to the other side we changed the raw water pump. Make sure you have enough spares to fix most any problem.
I imagine if you get in trouble there are companies that will come and save you for a fee. On the west coast I have heard of people paying thousands to be saved on the way to Alaska. No idea what cost are off Florida. Perhaps some one on the site knows.
When we do a large crossing we figure fuel based on running fast as we may need to get out of the way of a storm.
Radar is a must we feelfor open water as there are big boats out there that are fast and in a low visibility weather you need to see them first.
 
phoenixhotrods
See by your header you are from the west coast of Canada. We boat out of Nanamo and have gone to Alaska. There are two 50 mile crossings we do. If you have not taken your boat in open water where you can not see land you will be in for either a scarry ride or feeling of alone. If you get in 2 to 3 meter swells and the tops blow of the waves you will wonder why are you there. I personally would not do my first crossing of that length without doing some big rollers close to land first. If you have engine problems in the open and are alone you can figure out what it will be like. We had a raw water pump seal and bearing go on a crossing once. We kept going and when we got to the other side we changed the raw water pump. Make sure you have enough spares to fix most any problem.
I imagine if you get in trouble there are companies that will come and save you for a fee. On the west coast I have heard of people paying thousands to be saved on the way to Alaska. No idea what cost are off Florida. Perhaps some one on the site knows.
When we do a large crossing we figure fuel based on running fast as we may need to get out of the way of a storm.
Radar is a must we feelfor open water as there are big boats out there that are fast and in a low visibility weather you need to see them first.

I agree a radar is a must, autopilot is not necessary but it would help a lot, you would save a few gallons of fuel since your boat would be going perfectly straight.
 
Radar is NOT a must. I never have turned mine on. I do use XM weather tho. Crossing the gulf stream can
be scary but it does not have to be. Weather and prep are every thing. Again, Weather and prep are the key.
JC
 
Guys, I went all the way to Conception Island in my 2685 Glacier Bay. Spent 5 weeks going thru the Bahamas in it.
You stop and refuel in Cat or Bimini then Andros or Chub then on to Nassau. True milage is around 55nm from Miami to Bimini. Bimini to Chub around 75nm then another 50nm or so to Nassau. Weather, weather and then weather is the most important factor. I have been to the Atlantis by boat 5 times now. Its approx 175nm from Miami to Nassau. July is the best time to try and cross the gulf stream but we did it in June 2 years ago. Prep, prep, prep is the key to a safe trip. If you want me to answer any particular question just pm me. A well maintained 270 would do just fine if all the saftey precautions were taken. Buddy boat for first crossing
Would be best. Sea tow or Some other towing optiion is a must. There is alot, i say alot of prep work that has to be done going in a small
boat but we had a GREAT time in our glacier bay. The 450 DA is like heaven sitting off Big Major Spot watching the sun go down with that
beautiful water all around you. I cant wait to go back! Good luck, JC

This is great information. I did the crossing from Port Everglades to Bimini last June and it was a rough trip on the way over in my 260(boat trying to sink, big waves, stuff like that) but we had a blast.

JC3....let me know next time you go all the way to Nassau as we would like to try that via Chub....if we can ride in your wake...:smt038
 
The Bimini to Chub leg is easy. Its on the banks and if wind is below 10-12 mph its very enjoyable. (Chub to Nassau) The tongue of the ocean after the NorthWestern channel can be bumpy but again if the weather/wind is good its also a lot of fun. It really is a great trip! We probably wont go this year as our daughter starts college next fall and the money goes right out the window. We will how ever go the summer of 2013 GOD willing. JC
 
The Bimini to Chub leg is easy. Its on the banks and if wind is below 10-12 mph its very enjoyable. (Chub to Nassau) The tongue of the ocean after the NorthWestern channel can be bumpy but again if the weather/wind is good its also a lot of fun. It really is a great trip! We probably wont go this year as our daughter starts college next fall and the money goes right out the window. We will how ever go the summer of 2013 GOD willing. JC
"easy" as long as you have gas!
 
That 280 of yours is a great boat. It would do great. I donot know your range but you could stop before the NW marker on the bank and put in a couple of 5 gal's in your tank if needed (Chub is about 15nm from there). Once in Nassau you could run to the top of exumas (Allens Cay-about 30nm from Nassau) area. Highborne marina with fuel is right there if you wanted to see some of the best water in the world. I think your 280 would do great with the right weather and planning. The longest run for fuel is about 80nm.
 
Is my 270 and 300 strong enough to take the waves in rough waters, remember my boats are in great shape but they are 1988's. Are the hulls strong enough?
 
Get yourself a 20-35 gallon hopper/ bladder to take w/you and that will give you the extra insurance you'll need and as always refuel everytime you can at stops/marinas. I bought a 35 fuel tank new on e-Bay for 200 bucks, the extra fuel will be plenty for my trip to the Abacos next yr. have fun and be safe!!
 

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