Where to store our new catamaran

[imagine2frolic]

Congradulations,

When you get to the Bahamas. Be sure to use the Explorer Charts. They are accurate, and easy to look at. I use both the books, and Maptec. BEST WISHES in enjoying your new life......i2f

[Teej]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

Here is a place in Grand Bahama that we left our boat for a couple of months, after our purchase. You may try here as a place to leave the U.S and have a dock to go to but not have to go far.

Ocean Reef Resort Grand Bahamas Island Hotel Bahamas Getaway Caribbean Getaway Bahamas Vacation Hotel

Thank you for your response and suggestion. I checked the link you provided but find that they do not offer land storage. Given that I will need to store our new (to us) catamaran for up to 10 months, I am looking to store it on the hard. Not sure, as this is our first large boat ownership, but I think getting it out of the water for storage for that length of time would be better for the boat.

[Teej]

i2f, thank you for the suggestions. I bought the 2008 edition of the "Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas" and based on a first scan most of the areas look worthy of visiting. So I was actually hoping that some experienced Bahamas cruisers might be able to suggest a cruising itinerary for a first-timers 4 week cruise into the Bahamas, again ideally ending up at a place that can provide me with long term out of water storage for the catamaran.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by Teej

I will need to store our new (to us) catamaran for up to 10 months, I am looking to store it on the hard.

Doesnt that mean that for insurance purposes you will need to go much further south in order to avoid the worst hurricane zones

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Teej

.... again ideally ending up at a place that can provide me with long term out of water storage for the catamaran.

I second the opinion that the Bahamas might not be the ideal location for long term storage. In a direct hurricane hit, you're just as likely to lose the boat ashore as in the water and the Bahamas is ground zero.

[imagine2frolic]

Teej,

Advice on the Bahamas? Get prepared for a book. You can't see it in a lifetime. It's a pretty place with so many nooks, and crannies to hide in. Especially in a cat. Social life, or privacy are both there.....i2f

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Teej

i2f, thank you for the suggestions. I bought the 2008 edition of the "Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas" and based on a first scan most of the areas look worthy of visiting. So I was actually hoping that some experienced Bahamas cruisers might be able to suggest a cruising itinerary for a first-timers 4 week cruise into the Bahamas, again ideally ending up at a place that can provide me with long term out of water storage for the catamaran.

I hope the Yachtman's Guide has been updated. I have given up on it. I have 2 versions, a 1990 one when I first started cruising the Bahamas and a 2003 copy that I stupidly bought when I must have had more money than sense. 13 years and the copies are almost identical with outdated information and poor sketch charts. For the Bahamas get Pavlidis' guidebooks and Explorer charts. For the Abacos most swear by Dodge's guidebook but the Explorer charts are all you need there.

If you're only cruising for four weeks I suggest the Berrys or the Abacos. Depends on where you start from in Florida. If you're going to haul in the Bahamas I know you can fit in Marsh Harbour Boatyard (24.5 ft beam travelift). I don't know if they do dry storage there but many of the multihulls get their bottoms done there. Apparently their service is very good.

A good easy start if you're in south Florida and only have four weeks is to ride the stream up to Memory Rock( just north of West End, get on the Little Bahamas Bank and sail to Green Turtle Cay to clear in. Then you can do the northern Abacos or if you want something busier sail south to the Hub area (Marsh Harbour). The area north of Green Turtle is a lot quieter than the area south Of Whale Cay Cut. I don't know if they can haul you at Green Turtle but if they can that would be a good spot for storage.