I want to go to the Bahamas!!!!

[Nacho Boat]

I bought a Sea Ray 290 and want to take a Bahamas Trip (from anywhere along the Florida Coast). Here is my problem, I do not qualify with any of the groups that I know are going.

I bought my boat from a third party, so my local dealer and MarineMax Clubs do not allow me to go on their trips.

Is anyone else aware of a club (or group of sea loving folks) that are planning a trip this Summer that I could join?

Any and all tips and advice appreciated!!!!!!

 

[papogator24]

You can't follow them?

 

[chuck1]

Check into the Bahama boat flings and some of the boating user groups in south fl.

 

[chuck1]

I assume you already know about the CSR group that is going over at the end of May??

 

[Nacho Boat]

I assume you already know about the CSR group that is going over at the end of May??

I have kids in school, and school does not get done until the first week of June, so May is out.:smt009

 

[barryg]

I'm going back to Bimini with the Bahamas boating fling like I did last year. The first one is the middle of June and is great. PM me if you want the info. It will be about 20 boats going over. We have a Captains meeting on a Wednesday night, and go Thursday and come back Sunday.

Barry

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

I and a 41EC are heading over to Port Lucaya June 20-23. If the Okeechobee has water, we are coming across the waterway and leaving early the 20th from St. Lucie Inlet. If no water in the lake, then we will go around via the Keys and cross from Ft. Lauderdale.

I too have kids in school which is why June.

 

[comsnark]

I would return your boat and get a 240SD.

That's all you need to make the crossing. . . .

 

[Nacho Boat]

I and a 41EC are heading over to Port Lucaya June 20-23. If the Okeechobee has water, we are coming across the waterway and leaving early the 20th from St. Lucie Inlet. If no water in the lake, then we will go around via the Keys and cross from Ft. Lauderdale.

I too have kids in school which is why June.

How long do you plan to be in the Bahamas? Are you looking for a third?

 

[barryg]

Pete,

How many gallons does your 290 hold, and how many gallons per hour at cruising speed?

 

[Nacho Boat]

Pete,

How many gallons does your 290 hold, and how many gallons per hour at cruising speed?

My 290 holds 125 gallons and burns about 20-25 gph at cruising speed (around 32 mph).

Nick

 

[fsudelt]

I bought a Sea Ray 290 and want to take a Bahamas Trip (from anywhere along the Florida Coast). Here is my problem, I do not qualify with any of the groups that I know are going.

I bought my boat from a third party, so my local dealer and MarineMax Clubs do not allow me to go on their trips.

Is anyone else aware of a club (or group of sea loving folks) that are planning a trip this Summer that I could join?

Any and all tips and advice appreciated!!!!!!

Nick,
I live in Orlando (Apopka) myself as well. We keep our boat over at Daytona at Halifax. Just like you we can't make our dealership's Bahamas trips this year so we are going on the 1st Bahamas Fling to Bimini (trip is June 18-21), we'll prob start heading down the 16th, stop along the way and then make it rest of way on the 17th for the Capt Meeting that night. If you're interested we could always follow each other down and back. Just like Barry, I have a lot of the info for the trip in PDF's the tourism board has sent me so if you need any other info on the trip just let me know.

 

[barryg]

You might be cutting it too close to go to Port Lucaya especially if the seas are a little choppy...It could take anywhere from 3-5 or more hours from the east coast (Ft. Laduerdale-West Palm-Jupiter depending on conditions. That might be stretching it a bit for you...

 

[estebanj]

Is there a web site for the flings (the ones that Bahamas tourism sponsors, if I recall correctly)?

I think Barry emailed me the info last year, but curious if there is a "formal" web site about this.

Thanks,

Esteban

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Pete,

Assumming I can cross the Okeechobee on Friday the 19th, I will be leaving St. Lucie the morning of Saturday, June 20th. I will stay at Port Lucaya Saturday, Sunday and Monday and leave the morning of Tuesday the 23rd.

My origional plan was to cross back over to Ft. Lauderdale and then take a few more days on the east coast, but now it looks like I will have to head back over to the west coast on Wednesday, making it back to St. Pete on Thursday.

You are welcome to join us, as are others! Maybe I will start a new thread.

Brian

 

[fsudelt]

Is there a web site for the flings (the ones that Bahamas tourism sponsors, if I recall correctly)?

I think Barry emailed me the info last year, but curious if there is a "formal" web site about this.

Thanks,

Esteban

Esteban,
Here is the website for the Flings, if you call the number on the registration form they are very helpfull w/ any questions.

http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/boating-fling-schedule-2009


Brian

 

[Nacho Boat]

You might be cutting it too close to go to Port Lucaya especially if the seas are a little choppy...It could take anywhere from 3-5 or more hours from the east coast (Ft. Laduerdale-West Palm-Jupiter depending on conditions. That might be stretching it a bit for you...

Barry,

I don't understand. Port Lucaya looks to be about an 80-90 mile trip. If the seas are rough, I wouldn't plan to be up on "plane" burning through 25 gph. I get anywhere from 1.1 to 1.5 mpg with a 125 gallon tank. I don't think I would be close to my range on this trip.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[papogator24]

Is this trip for Bimini or Port Lucaya?

 

[Vince_nj1]

Barry,

I don't understand. Port Lucaya looks to be about an 80-90 mile trip. If the seas are rough, I wouldn't plan to be up on "plane" burning through 25 gph. I get anywhere from 1.1 to 1.5 mpg with a 125 gallon tank. I don't think I would be close to my range on this trip.

Thanks,
Nick

You won't get that mileage in a rough sea. You will be climbing up and down waves and if conditions are bad, you could be going backwards if you are heading into the wind. Those mileage quotes were calculated on flat water.

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

This thread has a couple of trips being discussed- one is the Bahama Fling to Bimini and the other is mine to Port Lucaya June 20-23.

Nick, I cruise at 23kts or about 27mph, so you would have to reduce your cruise speed a little if you join us. If you needed, we could stop at West End for fuel. Also, if it is forcasted to be rough, we are going to stay on the East coast (although understand the gulf stream can change quickly even when forcasted to be calm)