crossing to the exumas

[Vasco]

Got a late start this year, stayed in Toronto till January (not recommended) and then spent four weeks working on the boat but crossed Sat/Sun. 26 hour motor job, Miami (Biscayne Channel) to Nassau. Wind was on the nose whole trip but the most was 15 knots and that was only a couple of hours so it wasn't that bad. In Nassau getting provisions, for those that bad mouth Nassau, you have to get to know the place, then you'll like it.

pjvoyage50,

We're heading for the Exumas tomorrow, first stop. Normans, one of my favourites. If you see us (Ben393 Breathless) give us a shout.

[rknrobin13]

We are planning our first sail to the bahamas from Marathon early June. Any input on where we should check in and any other advice?

[Kettlewell]

One of the easiest places is Bimini, and from where you are it should be a good ride in the Gulf Stream most of the way. From there I would head down to the Berrys, then Nassau, then the Exumas. Or, maybe instead head from Bimini up to West End and then do the Abacos. Another option, which is different, is to cross over to Riding Rock and then up to Northwest Channel and then down to Nassau to clear in. Chub and Cat Cay are both more expensive places to clear because you have to pay for dockage. Obviously, in June you have to keep one eye on the weather every day in case any tropical systems pop up.

[onestepcsy37]

rknrobin13 - i'm with kettlewell on this one. hop into the gulf stream off marathon and get a 'free' ride to bimini. easy check in there and cheap marina's, cheap restaraunts, nice beaches, nice walking around town for a few days.

where do you plan to go in the bahamas?

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Got a late start this year, stayed in Toronto till January (not recommended) and then spent four weeks working on the boat but crossed Sat/Sun. 26 hour motor job, Miami (Biscayne Channel) to Nassau. Wind was on the nose whole trip but the most was 15 knots and that was only a couple of hours so it wasn't that bad. In Nassau getting provisions, for those that bad mouth Nassau, you have to get to know the place, then you'll like it.

pjvoyage50,

We're heading for the Exumas tomorrow, first stop. Normans, one of my favourites. If you see us (Ben393 Breathless) give us a shout.

We left the same day, but took 2 1/2 days as we wanted to sail a bit.... Lots of tacking! We arrived in Nassau on 3Monday, anchored infront if the BARSA dock and checked in with customs first thing this morning. It was really easy for even us first-timers.

Tomorrow it's off to the Exumas.

[Kettlewell]

Sounds great--you'll love the Exumas.

[rknrobin13]

@onestepcsy37 we are not sure-have a limited window so want to do some diving, beaches, photos, will probably spend last
Night at a marina to charge up but other than that just us and the world. any advice welcome

[onestepcsy37]

with a limited window bimini sounds even better. should be an overnight ride up the gulf stream and an easy morning entrance into the marked channel. there are a couple of inexpensive marinas on port as soon as you enter, and customs is a short walk. anchoring in the harbor has become more difficult since the channel was marked - there was a thread recently that talked about that.

the beach is excellent. there are diving and snorkeling opportunities - the 'bimini road' and the 'concrete ship' come to mind. if you've only got a week you could spend it in bimini - just keep in mind that there's a $150 fee for boats under 30 feet and a $300 fee for boat 30 and over.

if you've got two weeks then you could head for the berry islands or north andros. andros has a fringing coral reef that runs most of the length of the island.

get a copy of the 'explorer charts for the northern bahamas'. it's THE BIBLE for navigating in the bahamas and a necessity for planning your trip.

and have a great time....

[pjvoyage50]

We arrived in Geogetown on the 20th. Visited Hawksbill, Waderick and Little Farmers Cay on the way and enjoyed them all. So beautiful here! Hope we can get together with everyone coming down, Breathless, funjohnson and onestepcsy37. The cruiser's net is 8am every morning on 16 then they change to 72 or sometimes 68 for information. We can get in touch after that on channel 68 and maybe have a happy hour together. Fun!

Pam and Jim
sv/Silent Faith

[bratzcpa]

We will be heading over on (or about!!!) May 9th. Planning to leave from FtL over to West End. Busy looking on web now for mooring fields or places we can "stage" there in FtL before setting off. Thoughts or ideas are welcome.

Anyone else planning that crossing in a similar timeframe??

~markb

[Kettlewell]

The only mooring field I know of in Ft. Lauderdale is the city-run Las Olas field, just south of the Las Olas Bridge. It is about $35 per night, and I think you check in at the Las Olas marina across the way.

[onestepcsy37]

thanks for the invite, pjvoyage50, but we're heading for the abacos. the admirals favorite place.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

thanks for the invite, pjvoyage50, but we're heading for the abacos. the admirals favorite place.

Mine, too.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by bratzcpa

We will be heading over on (or about!!!) May 9th. Planning to leave from FtL over to West End. Busy looking on web now for mooring fields or places we can "stage" there in FtL before setting off. Thoughts or ideas are welcome.

Anyone else planning that crossing in a similar timeframe??

~markb

We are heading to Bimini on or around the 17th. Weather permitting one to two other boats crossing within a day or two of us. Were spending two days in Bimini and then 10 days exploring the Berrys snorkeling and fishing. If you see a small cat named Jellicle Cat give us a hail!

Ryan n Renee

[Vasco]

In Black Point today (Mar 27) Taking our time heading south. Might be in this area for a week or so.