What’s the smallest boat you’d go to Bimini in?

[El Capitan]

Prepping my newly acquired 1981 195 SR. Installing and stocking up on redundancy as much as possible. Got Bimini on my mind, just an overnight or couple nights during hot summer when the stream gets flat.

Jet skis and jet boats cross all the time and wondering if I would do it in this ole gal along w a flotilla of two larger open fish boats.

I can cruise fast enough and I think my boat rides better than my brothers brand new Sea Hunt 23. Other boat is a 25 overpriced something or other-brand new also.

It’s about 50 s miles from Haulover inlet at 110E on the dial.

I used to do it many years ago in my 17ft Mako but I have juuuust a lil more caution now in my old age.

Let’s hear it, yays and nays.

 

[JimG]

As you say, they do it on jet skis... just have to pick your time and be flexible with change.

 

[Pirate Lady]

What is the starting point?
Haulover or anywhere?

 

[BillK2632]

I'm a lake boater and have never taken my boat or any of my boats into "big water", I have been out on friend's boats. That said, I have seen where lots of people make that run in small boats and even jet skis, they just make sure they have good weather to do it. I can guarantee you that if I ever had the opportunity I would do it! You just have to be sensible about it -- heck, there are days when it is not safe to be on Lake Norman in a small boat -- and I just don't go out on those days.

 

[El Capitan]

What is the starting point?
Haulover or anywhere?

Probably Haulover or somewhere north of it, definitely don't want to go to Myami...I grew up there and its South America now....and Im Cuban!

 

[Pirate Lady]

Friend is Cuban, want to get shot, call him a Mexican. Serious.
On topic, I won’t go on a cruise ship, ocean scares the hell out of me.

 

[Ididntdoit]

On a summer weekend that route is like I95 - just picked up a 21 seacraft and plan to make the trip this year - had plans to take my 19 dusky but regretfully sold it....i carry a plb and all safety gear and am flexible going and returning - pic of our old 300da in honeymoon harbor

 

[Fill Ess]

 

[ocgrant]

It’s doable yes… would I recommend it no. If you do cross leave early both ways as that weather changes in a moment in the mid to afternoon. Left many times to come back around 11am and clear as can be and out of no where thunder storms pop up and seas go from nothing to 6 foot in minutes. Not to mention zero viz. Definitely travel in a pack if you are going to try it.

 

[dtfeld]

The biggest risk is going to be coming and going out of Haulover.

 

[ocgrant]

The biggest risk is going to be coming and going out of Haulover.

Haulover is nothing on a flat day.

 

[scoflaw]

Haulover is nothing on a flat day.

Slack tide

 

[JC3]

Having made that crossing a bunch of times I would proceed with caution. As Ocgrant stated it can and does get bad fast. It can be (small boat)done but the Weather window would need to be good for a long term window. It would be much safer with a group and hopefully someone would have reliable experience. IMHO you need 25 feet and great safety preparation's. My very first crossing was in a Glacier Bay 2685 that would go through anything. Got caught in the back end of Hurricane Ophelia, it stalled around Jax.
It made for a very unpleasant trip going over. It was supposed to speed up and a high pressure ridge fall in with very calm conditions. That did not happen and I learned a very valuable lesson. We have rules for crossing now 1. Winds SE(or very close) less than 15mph for at least 24 hours before departure and during crossing 2. Same as 1 for return. We will stay put till this happens or change our plans. I will not talk about safety preparation's, post already to long. Good luck, JC

 

[TTG]

Took my 24’ Yamaha Jetboat. Ft Lauderdale to Bimini. Amazing trip exploring. We went with a group of boats. Wouldn’t go alone for obvious reasons.

 

[TTG]

Forgot to add….left just before sunrise from Bahia Mar Marina. Then same on way back from Bimini. Stayed at Big Game.
And of course had to check out the Sapona Shipwreck via snorkeling. I live in WI so this is awesome to me. I’m sure people in FL are thinking it’s no big deal.