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

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!!

Where do you keep the bladder on your 280?
 
Actually, it's not a bladder, it's a 35 gallon fuel tank designed for below deck. I just got the tank, so not installed yet. I don't have a generator so there's plenty of room next to the water tank, just move the water tank a little over to port side and it's done. Not sure if i want to do that yet or not, as i don't have the use for the extra fuel load except for this up coming trip to the Abacos.
 
Please do not take this the wrong way, maybe it is just me, but I think I would be more worried about your blue water / gulf stream crossing captain skills than your boat. IMHO - you should know your boat better than anybody on this board. How has it been maintained, has it had any inspections, etc,. What kind of seas and/or storms have you been in?
 
I havent been in any violent seas or storms, the most ive experienced was 2-3 foot swells on a massive lake. Other than that the boat is solid, surveys conducted always come out as the boat is in excellent condition. I guess one real question is how rough of seas can a boat like ours be in before hull damage occurs or it cant hold a heading. Im worried about breaking the hull. And absolutley your right i am new to boating and my captaining skills are at a novice level. The only navigation skills that I have are from aviation.
 
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I havent been in any violent seas or storms, the most ive experienced was 2-3 foot swells on a massive lake. Other than that the boat is solid, surveys conducted always come out as the boat is in excellent condition. I guess one real question is how rough of seas can a boat like ours be in before hull damage occurs or it cant hold a heading. Im worried about breaking the hull. And absolutley your right i am new to boating and my captaining skills are at a novice level. The only navigation skills that I have are from aviation.


Your aviation/navigation skills will be an asset for both the trip and trip planing. As the old saying goes the hull can probly stand more pounding than you can (Grin) As long as the hull is sound should not be a problem. Storms can and do come up very fast in the area and they are not going to be 2-3 foot swells. Inlets can be real fun (grin) depending on the tides. Just a thought, but you might want to do some boating in the keys before you venture into blue water. Hope it helps.
 
For sure, thanks for the advice, I think ill spend some more time getting to know the Keys before i venture out in the blue, or maybe ill go with a group.
 
Your Nav skills should be good enough w/aviation exp. I've had my 280 in 6 ft plus w-no issues, wasn't fun but hull took it and could take alot more
 
Your Nav skills should be good enough w/aviation exp. I've had my 280 in 6 ft plus w-no issues, wasn't fun but hull took it and could take alot more
I sure hope we get off this crappy weather pattern next year. We have been on this one for a couple years. Water has been rough every time we have gone out since I purchased this boat and the whole time I had my Pro Line :smt021
 
Me too Donnie, the gulfstream was U G L Y, going to Bimini in June, 3 boats actually turned around!!!
 
As the old saying goes the hull can probly stand more pounding than you can (Grin)

Chucks right, the boat will most likely outlast what your nerves can handle. I know this year (my first full year with my 280DA) I gained a lot of confidence, and appreciation, in the boat after getting caught in a couple of big pop-up thunderstorms. So experience is the best teaching tool.
 
Bimini to Chub around 75nm

JC3, The water looks very shallow in the Great Bahama Bank between Bimini & Chub. Is there a marked channel? If you have to swing around to the NE and then S it adds a lot of distance. Thanks, Art
 
Art, Its about 57 nm from Bimin to the NW channel marker. Its not like the USA water ways in that there is few marked channel's or such. The Explorer charts use way points that are very good. Any good chart plotter will
give you the "line" to take between the way points. The banks range from around 6 feet to over 25 feet in some areas. Coral heads and unexpected hazards keep you on alert but if you stay on a good line there is no problem.
My 450DA has traveled that route now several times with out problems. If the banks scare you, the other north route is an option. I probably wont get to go this year as my daughter starts college and money will be gushing away. Already planning the 2013 trip tho. The banks are beautiful. Two years ago we just trawlered over them and anchored out on the bank. It was great! I hope this helps, JC
 
Thanks for the info JC3. The idea of trawling over the Bank sounds great!!!
Have a Happy New Year, Art
 
Art, If you need any way points or any questions about how this hillbilly family has traveled the Bahamas esp. exumas please do not hesitate to ask. BTW, you can go to the explorer chart web page and see thier charts and they have current fuel prices and marina price info. We used garmin(XM WEATHER, ETC...) chart plotters with bahamas cards and they were very accurate. Also i have a gulf stream crossing, bahamas check list that is fairly complete if you were to need it. JC
 
I saw this so think I'll get OldSkool ready for next summer. Hey it's 20ft and can haul 55gal barrel of gas in the hull? I'll make sure to wear my PFD too.:grin:

[video=youtube;R7ke76G4GQ8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ke76G4GQ8[/video]
 
Funny thing for my family. I won a trip to Atlantis at work...and its right at the same time as Bahamafest! We are not paying/participating in the actual Bahamfest activities as we will mostly be busy with our trip (several things already planned), but I will keep en eye out for some good looking boats and folks from here.
 

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