Memorial Day trip aka The 2010 Get Chris and Ken to the Bahamas Trip

Just posted on Explorer Charts this morning. I'm hoping they will have this situation figured out by May but....

Bimini Channel, no buoys

Posted: 12 Mar 2010 12:40 PM PST

The Bimini entry channel has no buoys at this time. BEWARE. The boat PARADOX went up on the sand bar on 3/11/2010 in breaking waves and although salvaged is severely damaged. This channel is dangerous in any moderate to strong westerlies; if you aren’t familiar with it get help. (Editor’s Note: See the February 2010 updated chart of this channel at www.explorercharts.com under Free Updates, Near Bahamas, which details the current channel location and recent shoaling.)

Randy,
I don't remember if there were buoys in place when I was there in the Fall. I think all that was there were the goal posts on the beach that you line up for the approach. It brings you in from a more Southerly angle. Try explaining that one over the radio BTW. In any event, the chart plotter was spot on and the goal posts are a back up too.

Another windy day here. Can't wait to go. Tom
 
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I second Tom's view there are range markers that will bring you in south of the channel that was set up with marker buoys. I've used them to enter Bimini just to make sure it was safe to use. For those that haven't used range markers you look for the two pole markers on the beach, move until they line up and in you go.

Ray
 
the last time I was there, all 4 buoys were in place and they were lighted (the end of last summer). I know they were lighted because we came back from Honeymoon Harbor after dark and Mike's chartplotter worked great plus we saw the buoys too. The pic below comes from Explorer charts. They say that the approach shown on their chart is good even though the markers are gone. On the lower right of the pic, the approach using the range markers is shown as a dashed line but the markers themselves are further south. The approach to the island is much different using the range markers.

On our first trip to Bimini last summer, we weren't sure of the newer route into the harbor so we used the range markers. I remember kicking up sand on the way in. After that first time, we always used the more northern approach.

biminiharbor1-10.jpg
 
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I called Bimini Bay today and confirmed the reservations, marina, arrival dates, etc. There are still a couple of boats that haven't reserved yet but there is plenty of room (at this time) so we should be OK.

I also checked with NOAA and this current cold front is the last one of the year, they guaranteed it. The weather will start turning very warm and within a couple of days and from here on out will be great boating weather. They have posted their long, long, long range forecast and Memorial Day weekend looks perfect :smt038

just a couple of pics to keep the interest high.......

Sapona.jpg


horsingaroundinthespa.jpg


GrandBahamaTripAug2008067.jpg


mackiebank1.jpg
 
Now here are a few of my favorite pics of Bimini. This is Jack jumping from the upper deck of the Sopona. Iguess we will all have to grow a set and man up to keep up with Jack.

BiminiAug2009001-1.jpg

This is Jack launching from the upper deck of the Sapona

BiminiAug2009002-1.jpg


And of course Jack after the jump


Jack, as always
You are da man

Ray
 
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I spoke to the dock master at Bimini Bay today regarding the missing channel markers at the entrance to the harbor. He said that they will be put back in place next month :smt038

Randy
 
Found on Explorer Charts web site......

Shipwreck at Bimini

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 06:12 AM PDT

Recently a 50-foot sailing yacht was lost on the bar at the entrance to the channel into North Bimini. The captain and crew abandoned the vessel as it was being battered on the sandbar with breaking waves from a strong westerly and taking on water. Cruisers and locals who were ashore in Alice Town attempted to help out to no avail. Several spring-break college students from the College of Charleston arrived on the scene after the boat was abandoned and managed to attach towing lines and bring the boat to safe harbour. The students are claiming salvage rights and the owner is contesting the claim.


Randy
 
I was told this morning by Bimini Bay that Customs and Immigration people will be present at Bimini Bay starting Thursday, May 27th. That means we can go straight to the resort without stopping at Alice Town or renting a golf cart to get into town to check in.

:smt038:smt038:smt038

Randy
 
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Could be trouble as I hear the Bimini Bay casino will be open for Memorial Day weekend. No confirmation yet...
 
OK, we're 2 weeks from our bash at Bimini for Memorial Day. here is an update for everyone....

Bimini Bay is sold out of rooms and slips.
Big Game has about 14 slips available
Big Game does not have any rooms until mid June.
Bimini Sands is sold out of slips and rooms
The casino won't be open at Bimini Bay
Markers have been installed outside of Bimini Harbor

Randy
 

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