Miami to Bimini Alice Town

[CSY Man]

Anchor of Radio Beach, take the dink to shore and explain to the custom people that you can not safely get it with an 8’ draft.
Anchoring you can arrive after dark and check in next morning.
As for a lumpy passage, it may be, 2-3 can sometimes be 4-5 with no warning.
Early departure is always best before the winds pick up.
Coming from Miami you will crab into the stream 25-30 degrees with a lower ground speed, 8 hours instead of 6.5. (Or run a Z course)
Done the crossing 29 times, each way, love the a Bahamas but it can be a pain getting there.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

The Dodge guide for cruising the Abacos has a whole section on how to cruise it with a 9' draft.

Sure, you can cruise the Bahamas with a deep draft, plenty of mega yachts call there, but it will constrain where you can go...and require careful planning.

[JSLExplores]

Originally Posted by freedom12

thinking high tide, where else to clear customs in bimini with 8 foot draft?

You might want to think about Chub Cay.

[Caliber40]

Plenty of water in Bimini....your N wind predictions of 5-10 will make for a good crossing....ditch all the negative comments-and go for it

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Skip Bimini and enter after you get further on... Chub Cay..

+1, forget Bimini, not worth it.

Depending on your intended cruising ground you might consider going past Chubb through the NW Channel and entering at Morgan's Bluff which is just a little south of the NW Chnl. That is what we did last year, easy peasy.

PS: If you carry through with Bimini I would consider leaving around 4 or 5 AM and try to get to Bimini with a higher sun. Easier to see the trouble and, hopefully, avoid it.

[conchaway]

If you make it to Bimini, tell the Weech's at Weech's Bimini Bay Dock that Leon Weech said hello.

[belizesailor]

Maybe the Weech clan could provide some current local knowledge on the pass?

[CSY Man]

Originally Posted by conchaway

If you make it to Bimini, tell the Weech's at Weech's Bimini Bay Dock that Leon Weech said hello.

Been using Weech’s Bimini Docks For 20 years plus.
Never had a problem and reasonable cost.
Love the showers and the BBQ.
Old dock master Morris Bowleg went to heaven some 10 years ago..?
R.I.P.

[Chris777]

Freedom 12,.... NEVER EVER Cross the gulfstream when the wind is from the Northern half (270-090). Dont care what the wind velocity is..... dangerous.. very dengerous... Dont do it!!

[Caliber40]

Misleading information.....friend of mine just crossed in North wind.....easy going as long as wind is under 10!

Got to love the extreme opinions on these sites!

[Tingum]

Yes you can cruises The Bahamas drawing 8'. You may find yourself anchored a bit further out than others and will definately have to pay close attention to the tides. Yes you will run aground, get over it it's no big deal, just DONT DO IT at HIGH TIDE! Remember most of the local mail and freight boats draw 9'. Have fun.