Recommendations needed for Bahamas trip on powerboat

[TitanTn]

I'm hoping to make my first cruise to the Bahamas soon in my own boat. I've done lots of reading about trip routes, but most of them revolve around sailing - not smaller boats with limited fuel range. I'm hoping my Club Sea Ray group can help me with some practical experience.

Specifically I'm looking for input on:

• Where specifically to launch from and leave my truck/trailer
• What route to take for best fuel options. Generically, I'm thinking West Palm Beach - West End - Abacos
• Any specifics on favorite routes or anchorages?
• Any guidebooks designed for powerboats?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JimmyDubai]

I'm also very interested! Looking forward to hearing from the captains

 

[Alex F]

Take a look at this thread, it has a lot of good info for Abacos, as it was our primary destination.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/70197-CSR-Bahamas-Rendezvous-(Spring-Break-2015)

 

[ttmott]

There are several of folks on this site that routinely make the trip; me included. In fact I'm leaving next week for another over to the Abacos. Peruse this forum and thehulltruth.com, there is a lot of experiences. For me I like the run into West End as they have reliable fuel (Diesel) and it's a great marina. West End is a good pivot to the South and also to the Abaco Cay's. Living near the Cape Canaveral inlet it's best for me to make the run down the coast and a gentle sweep East to West End intersecting the Gulf Stream about Ft. Pierce. If weather is questionable I run the Intercoastal down to Ft. Pierce inlet or Sebastian inlet and cross from there. Be aware there are some very challenging inlets South of Ft.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Drink lots of Rum. :huh:

 

[Blkbird]

Definitely on the bucket list!

 

[TitanTn]

Take a look at this thread, it has a lot of good info for Abacos, as it was our primary destination.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/70197-CSR-Bahamas-Rendezvous-%28Spring-Break-2015%29

Thanks Alex, that was a great thread. I read all 20 pages and have bookmarked it for future reference. That's exactly the type of trip I'm looking to make. Are you planning another trip this year?

There are several of folks on this site that routinely make the trip; me included. In fact I'm leaving next week for another over to the Abacos. Peruse this forum and thehulltruth.com, there is a lot of experiences.

I guess I'm just having bad luck finding these threads. It seems that when you do a search that you always get a long list of results but you have to manually cull through the results to actually find something of value. I'm still looking. Thanks for your feedback.

The part I haven't heard much about yet is finding a parking spot for my tow rig. I know it's not a common need for you guys with the larger boats, but surely there are plenty of smaller boats who do this as well. Another web site made reference to Phil Foster Park in-between Jupiter and West Palm Beach. Anyone have experience with this ramp/parking lot?

 

[Alex F]

Thanks Alex, that was a great thread. I read all 20 pages and have bookmarked it for future reference. That's exactly the type of trip I'm looking to make. Are you planning another trip this year?....

We did the trip to Eleuthera. Here's the thread I had started on this: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/76161-CSR-Bahamas-Rendezvous-(Spring-Break-2016)

After the trip I got swamped and didn't have a chance to do a write-up and pics. I'm hoping to do it sometime soon.

I brought Inspiration back up North, so for now I can't plan any Southeast trip.

 

[Ididntdoit]

As someone posted above, try THT - just dont tell them you have a searay......A lot of people go to Bimini out of Harbortown Marina in Dania - it is right next to the PE inlet - The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism offers summer boating Flings - This year they are doing one to Abaco from Ft Lauderdale in early July - They will go to pt lucaya - through the waterway to GTC - then back through west end - they also do a couple to Bimini - the trips leave from Bahia Mar (again, a stones throw from PE) - launching at harbortown is easy and it is a very secure facility - Be VERY careful where you leave a truck and trailer in south florida.

 

[TitanTn]

As someone posted above, try THT - just dont tell them you have a searay......A lot of people go to Bimini out of Harbortown Marina in Dania - it is right next to the PE inlet - The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism offers summer boating Flings - This year they are doing one to Abaco from Ft Lauderdale in early July - They will go to pt lucaya - through the waterway to GTC - then back through west end - they also do a couple to Bimini - the trips leave from Bahia Mar (again, a stones throw from PE) - launching at harbortown is easy and it is a very secure facility - Be VERY careful where you leave a truck and trailer in south florida.

Thanks for the info. I'll do some searches on THT. Mums the word on the boat brand.