First Gulf Stream Crossing this Weekend

[Alecadi]

Yes, that will be exactly 1 year that we are the proud and happy owner of DayOne... and that will also be 1 year this W.E before retiring and starting the cruising life.

We are sailing on Saturday 28th morning (weather permitting) and back on Tuesday 31st . Dinner Key to Bimini, and back.

We will be with Jeff and Jean , our good friends, instructors and USCG captains... (So the Admiral is satisfied for that first crossing)...

I'll let you know how it went upon returning...

Happy already

Alec

[hogfighter]

We'll be out and about off of the coast around Miami....if we see you, we'll say hi!.
Enjoy!

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by hogfighter

We'll be out and about off of the coast around Miami....if we see you, we'll say hi!.
Enjoy!

Thanks
Alec

[Alecadi]

Last preparations today and tomorrow... wonder what I forgot in my check list..
I surely forgot something...

[hogfighter]

The Bahamians love to trade for cigarettes, and Budweiser. Lobster is very cheap when paying for it in Marlboros....

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by hogfighter

The Bahamians love to trade for cigarettes, and Budweiser. Lobster is very cheap when paying for it in Marlboros....

It's been my experience that Bahamians prefer Kalik to Bud. As for trading , they prefer greenbacks. You can get seafood for rum in the Jumentos if you meet a fishing boat. Lobster season is closed right now.

[Kettlewell]

Sheesh, isn't it something like $350 to check in for your boat now? That's a lot of money for a weekend sail.

[Vasco]

Yeah, $300 for a weekend, a bit steep but if it's your first time it's an adventure.

[Kettlewell]

That fee must really cut down on the weekend sportfishing crowd that used to blast over to Bimini to spend the night, or is there some sort of wink and nod going on for "regulars?" I know I've bypassed the Bahamas a few times in recent years due to the steep cost. To me it isn't worth it unless I'm going to be cruising there for awhile.

[capngeo]

its sort of like buying the annual pass at Disney.... I think the permit is good for 6 months...... AND if you are one of the under 35 foot guys its only $150!!!!

Alec..... Weeche's Marina is the cheapest on the island and the Sand Bar is a pretty cool bar (I haven't been there in a few years, I **Think** they are still there). Holding sux in the harbor and there is a pretty good tidal current. There was a big-assed earthmover tire... like 8' across... right off the Customs dock and the Big Game Dock. Toss a hook into the center and you're bullet-proof.

I might wander over in June for a weekend or so.

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by capngeo

its sort of like buying the annual pass at Disney.... I think the permit is good for 6 months...... AND if you are one of the under 35 foot guys its only $150!!!!

Alec..... Weeche's Marina is the cheapest on the island and the Sand Bar is a pretty cool bar (I haven't been there in a few years, I **Think** they are still there). Holding sux in the harbor and there is a pretty good tidal current. There was a big-assed earthmover tire... like 8' across... right off the Customs dock and the Big Game Dock. Toss a hook into the center and you're bullet-proof.

I might wander over in June for a weekend or so.

Thanks all for the tips.
And yes the permit is good for 6mth .

We will go down from DKM to Pumpkin Key Friday night and get from there through Angel Fish Creek to benefit from the GF current and the E-SE winds on Saturday early morning.
Alec

[Alecadi]

We left on Friday afternoon, anchored at Angelfish Creek and went at dawn on Saturday to Bimini. Eventful crossing in 10 hrs. Get back Sunday morning!! due to weather forecast announcing a ridge with an Easts- North east, turning Northeast for Monday and Tuesday.
Superb crossing back to Miami.

[MarkJ]

Great stuff

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Alec..... Weeche's Marina is the cheapest on the island and the Sand Bar is a pretty cool bar (I haven't been there in a few years, I **Think** they are still there). Holding sux in the harbor and there is a pretty good tidal current. There was a big-assed earthmover tire... like 8' across... right off the Customs dock and the Big Game Dock. Toss a hook into the center and you're bullet-proof.

I might wander over in June for a weekend or so.

We went to Brown's which is just at the side of Weeches (which was full)

[S/V Antares]

Entry Fees
Entry fees must be paid by all visiting yachts (see Fees section below for details) and are inclusive of a cruising permit, fishing permit and departure tax for up to four persons (captain plus 3 crew). Each additional person (over the age of 6) will be charged departure tax.
The Cruising Permit is issued for 12 months. The current fees are now valid for multiple entries during any 90-day period, which means that a vessel may leave the Bahamas and re-enter within the first 90 days of a Cruising Permit's validity, without payment of any additional fee. For further details see the Customs section below.
The Fishing Permit is valid for 3 months. Extensions to this cost an additional $150 for 12 months.

From Noonsite