Bahamas/Nassau Sailing

[tdavis1198]

I am about to purchase a Hunter 50 and my intention is to move the boat to Nassau in the Bahamas. I have a few questions that hopefully someone can help me with.

Firstly, can anyone recommend a good Marina in Nassau where I could leave the boat for extended periods?

Are there any costs/duties charged to leave the boat for an extended period of time.

Is it easy to find crews who could position the boat for me in, say, the Abaco's and how much typically does it cost?

[AnchorageGuy]

You can get a cruising permit for the boat which is good for one year. It can be extended for another year. After that you will need to import the boat into the Bahamas and pay the import fees based on the size and value of the boat or leave and come back. The crew is a different matter and usually get anywhere from 90 days to 120 days. Then you must leave and come back. The fee is $300.00 for entry and the cruising permit. Finding local crew to move the boat, etc. is another matter. Chuck

[Kashmir cat]

I've heard that Nick Wardle, Carolyn Wardle's husband (Carolyn the Bahamas Weather Net broadcaster), manages boats in Coral Bay. If that's true, you might try contacting him for info on marinas.

[nautical62]

If by moving it there, you mean it there permanently, you will need to pay the annual cruising permit renewal fee which I believe is $500 annually (after your initial first $300 annual permit expires) up to 3 years or pay the custom's import fee which I believe is 10% of the boat's value.

[rognvald]

We always liked Nassau Yacht Haven--clean, well- run, laundry facilities, propane refills, good access to supermarkets, marine chandleries and liquor stores. Also, a nice restaurant and bar on premises. It also is out of the strongest part of the tidal flow that reverses in the harbor which makes docking less frenetic than other places. It is a great stopover en route to the Exumas and South and sure beats a slip on Lake Michigan. Good luck and good sailing, Ron

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome aboard and enjoy CF..

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by tdavis1198

Is it easy to find crews who could position the boat for me in, say, the Abaco's and how much typically does it cost?

It's right around 24 hours for most boats from Nassau to Marsh Harbour so transportation for a couple of people one way or the other plus a day rate should be easy enough to figure out. Getting reliable folk may be the trick.

If you want the boat in the Abacos why not just leave it in Marsh Harbour? There are a number of good marinas there and finding one with staff who will watch your boat won't be any harder than in Nassau.

[Tingum]

Why nassau? Other than it is the cheapest place to fly into. Much better cruising in the Abacos, much safer to leave the boat there, better protected harbours. Also good cruising in the Exumas but not as many storage choices.