Can I rent a sailboat and cruise to Bahamas from Florida

[teller]

Hello
I would like to sail to the Bahamas from Florida. In the past I used to use my boat but now I would like to rent a boat from a company or an individual. I would like all the information I can get. Do sail boat charter companies based in Florida even allow this ? I am not so interested in renting in the Bahamas as a big part of my pleasure has always been crossing the staights
Thank you

[Ram]

Welcome aboard Teller- I dont think boat charter companies in Florida will do this, and few owners would do it ~

[s/v Moondancer]

Yes, I have rented 5 times in Lauderdale and Miami and sailed to the Bahamas.

[Group9]

They used to. I rented a 38 foot Morgan from the old Hirsh Charters in Dania, FL back in 1987 and sailed it from there to the Bahamas for two weeks. My sister in law did the same a year before.

All they did was ask me questions for about ten minutes to see if they thought I was going to die or not.

One of the terms in the agreement was that we wouldn't sail it at night, but they waved to us as we pulled away from the dock at dark to make our Gulf Stream crossing. I haven't chartered a boat since then, so it's probably a little more complicated these days.

[bmarino]

I've done it a few times but it's been about 20 years ago. I recall seeing recent ads for Florida Charters - I think out of Ft. Lauderdale. You might want to check out charter companys in Ft. Lauderdale & Miami.

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by teller

Hello
I would like to sail to the Bahamas from Florida. In the past I used to use my boat but now I would like to rent a boat from a company or an individual. I would like all the information I can get. Do sail boat charter companies based in Florida even allow this ? I am not so interested in renting in the Bahamas as a big part of my pleasure has always been crossing the staights
Thank you

Are you planning to come back with the boat? Or a one way trip?

If you can get on a delivery crew then you won't have to pay for the boat.

[skipmac]

I chartered a 45' Hunter in Miami for a 10 day diving trip to the Bahamas about ten years back with no problem.

Of course you will have to prove to the charter company that you have the required skills or experience to handle the trip. The company I chartered from sent me a 10-12 page "test" to fill in. Covered boat handling, weather, navigation and safety.

Two things to consider. Depending on the time of year you aren't guaranteed good weather to cross the Gulf Stream. We were prepared to head south to the Keys as a plan B.

Second, while it's only +/- 50 miles from FL to Bimini or West End/Freeport to go further in the Bahamas to reach other cruising grounds is another 80-100 miles dead upwind. If you want to spend the trip sailing then no problem but if you just want to hang, relax and beach you probably will want to stay on the western edge of the islands. We just spent our charter diving around Bimini, Cat Cay area and worked out find for us.

[Group9]

The weather window is really the big problem. We crossed the Stream both times that trip at night with a north wind and it was not something I will ever do again. We had five (slightly to moderately) experienced guys, and we were too young to know better.

If I was going to charter in the Bahamas, I would fly into Marsh Harbor and charter from there. Plently to do and see, even if you get harbor locked.

[witzgall]

Just charter the boat in the Bahamas. Way easier, don't have to worry about the Gulf Steam, weather windows, etc. Just have fun.

Chris

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by witzgall

Just charter the boat in the Bahamas. Way easier, don't have to worry about the Gulf Steam, weather windows, etc. Just have fun.

Chris

The OP wants to do the crossing. That was the main point of the original post.

[RobRall]

Check out Florida Yacht Charters. (Floridayacht.com). We chartered a Hunter 41 from them at Miami Beach Marina a few years ago. Good people to deal with. We sailed to Key West, but I know they will allow sailing to the Bahamas.

[Nicholson58]

If you can't find a round trip charter, as noted above, you might see if the charters want a one way delivery. They occasionally move boats either east or west. If you have CG credentials it will help.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by RobRall

Check out Florida Yacht Charters. (Floridayacht.com). We chartered a Hunter 41 from them at Miami Beach Marina a few years ago. Good people to deal with. We sailed to Key West, but I know they will allow sailing to the Bahamas.

I'm 99% certain this is the company we chartered from. They were definitely at the Miami Beach Marina and chartered a fleet of Hunters. Nice people to deal with, boats were clean and overall good condition, although the shift cable on ours broke and we had to fix it in Bimini. They did pay all the costs including phone calls back to FL.

All in all a very positive exerience.

[Hermanns]

I know you can rent a Moorings Yacht and go between Islands (not all yachts for rent qualify) and there is a fee to transport it back to the original base.

I've done it in Europe with Moorings / Sunsail base (we chartered with Moorings.

Not sure if USA bases operate the same, worth a shot - ain't gonna be cheap tho!

[gah964]

Originally Posted by teller

Hello
I would like to sail to the Bahamas from Florida. In the past I used to use my boat but now I would like to rent a boat from a company or an individual. I would like all the information I can get. Do sail boat charter companies based in Florida even allow this ? I am not so interested in renting in the Bahamas as a big part of my pleasure has always been crossing the staights
Thank you

you can rent mine PM me