port eveglades to Bimini

[courtess]

Hopefully leaving Friday from Port Eveglades to Bimini in 23' Wellcraft W/A, Weather reports say winds from S/E at 14-17 knots and sea's 2-3 feet. I would have expected it a little rougher. Any thoughts or words of wisdom would be appreciated. thanks

[skipmac]

Sounds like fun. Did the same trip years ago in a 25' Wellcraft.

Only suggestion, it may be 2-3' close to shore but very likely higher in the Gulf Stream.

[dennisjay]

Always wondered if powerboaters had a backup plan in the event they lose engine power in the middle of the stream.

Do they just change their itinerary to Nova Scotia?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

Always wondered if powerboaters had a backup plan in the event they lose engine power in the middle of the stream.

Do they just change their itinerary to Nova Scotia?

Or next stop France

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by courtess

Hopefully leaving Friday from Port Eveglades to Bimini in 23' Wellcraft W/A, Weather reports say winds from S/E at 14-17 knots and sea's 2-3 feet. I would have expected it a little rougher. Any thoughts or words of wisdom would be appreciated. thanks

I would guess a bumpy ride. Don't brave it if it's too rough, it's OK to turnaround.

Good Luck!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

Always wondered if powerboaters had a backup plan in the event they lose engine power in the middle of the stream.

Do they just change their itinerary to Nova Scotia?

Well, I always thought having a spare engine was a good idea in a power boat. Lacking that a good radio.

Bought my Wellcraft new and first trip to West End one of the engines caught on fire. Turned out the main wiring harness had been pinched between the engine and motor mount so after a couple of hours bouncing around in the Gulf Stream it chaffed through the insulation, shorted out and got rather warm.

Could run on one engine but initially couldn't get the boat moving. Was with a friend that was 6'4" and 220 lbs and his girl friend who was 5'4' and about 90 lbs. He and I went forward and jumped up and down on the bow while she drove. With the one engine trimmed all the way down was just enough to get the boat semi planing so made it in.

Really made me appreciate two engines.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

Always wondered if powerboaters had a backup plan in the event they lose engine power in the middle of the stream.

Do they just change their itinerary to Nova Scotia?

TowBoatUS.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Vasco

TowBoatUS.

+1! and a good SPOT/EPIRB/SATphone

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by DotDun

........ Don't brave it if it's too rough, it's OK to turnaround. Good Luck!

Best advise given (above).

Also note that if you listen to the National Weather Service on your VHF, take whatever they say, divide by 5 and subtract 2 and you might get closer to what is really going on. I know because I live in the Gulf of Mex. approx 21 days per month. It amazes me how consistantly wrong they can be. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feelings.
Another thing, when you get the wave reports, keep in mind that 2-3 foot chops can be rough, and 2-3 ft ground swells go almost unnoticed.

[Odyssey]

If possible, try to find other boaters going to Bimini at the same time. Safety in numbers.

RB

[Cheechako]

wind from the SE is a good thing. It probably wont stay there more than a day. It's only gonna take you 1.5 hours right?

[Odyssey]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

wind from the SE is a good thing. It probably wont stay there more than a day. It's only gonna take you 1.5 hours right?

SE is good. It is 52 miles from Miami to Bimini. Your vessel is going a good clip to get there in 1.5 hours.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Odyssey

SE is good. It is 52 miles from Miami to Bimini. Your vessel is going a good clip to get there in 1.5 hours.

Yea 35 mph may be too unless it's calm out there....