Association Forum - Cruise to Bahamas 2006

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Cruise to Bahamas 2006

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

britinusa
Web Editor

Member Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/23/2005 : 07:56:20

I heard from Jerry Butz that he's planning on a Fleet cruise to Bahamas in spring of 06.
Peggy got the charts out right away - wants to go!

Anyone else thinking of heading out that way in spring, perhaps joining friends of Jerry's.

Any clues for preparations, experiences, etc. (Want to make this one a fun trip all the way around.)

Our insurance doesn't appear to cover us to go that far, have any of you guys got 1 time changes to your insurance for something like this?

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 14:38:08

Count me in! Maybe Frank and Fleet "89" would be interested.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 17:11:26

Fleet 89 is always interested in more adventure.

Who is Jerry Butz, and does he know about this?

Details please

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 19:02:57

Jerry Butz it the Catalina Dealer in Rockledge (cocoa beach) FL.
We purhchased Joint Decision when he was a vendor at the Strickly Boat Show in Miami this year. Really nice guy, and very helpful to us newbie boat owners (real boats, I don't count our Laser II :)

Yes, he told us about his intent to setup the fleet to bahamas. :)

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 19:36:06

Very interested, count me in too! The conch cruisers http://www.conchcruisers.net/ went earlier this year. There's some data on their forum that may be useful. Most of them were in the "Speed Mac's" so ignore the extra amounts of fuel they took

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 20:15:49

Do I sense crewing opportunities here?

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2005 : 21:25:53

I won't need 40 gal of fuel?

Tom, It could be a warm-up for Beer 2006. I am guessing Bimini is the obvious choice for 4-7 days. I am heading to Whidbey Island Wa. at the end of May-06.

The Last day of shool for the kids is May 25.

I would propose a very rough Date of May 26-June6. It could be a shorter or longer but weather will be the deciding factor.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Scooter
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 08:07:08

If this is an open invitation "Square Knot" might like to join in.

Is Jerry organizing things? Where would they leave from? etc...

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 17:31:17

We could get a few ideas kicking around.

1 Dates. We need to take a poll and then Set the Dates.
2 Launch spot. Homestead has served many well in the past. A lift option would be nice if anyone has a fin.
3 Destination. And an alternate in case of prolonged bad weather.
4 Appoint a trip leader who will take charge of the organization.
5 Decide if this is open to other clubs,org, etc.

This sounds too cool.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 20:50:57

Paul,
I hate to think were hijacking Jerry's planned cruise, but this idea is too appealing. Do you think you could get some more info for us?

We could do what Tom has said and kick around some ideas and put together a trip of our own.

I wanted to make the cruise earlier this year with the conch cruisers until I learned that the most of them had 50hp speed mac's and were going to motor over. I prefer to sail as much as possible. So the idea of going with a fleet of similar boats is very appealing. I have not made this trip before, so I can't offer much in the way of experience in the crossing.

Do we have anyone that has made this cruise before that can offer info?

(Spring is good for me, my kids are out of school so that's no problem. (would like to keep it to 7 days or less)

Homestead sounds good, but then again I don't know of any other place.)

Edited by - Tom Potter on 08/24/2005 20:52:56

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 21:04:07

As Peggy is a Nurse working in a Hospital down here in central broward, she needs to get about 4months notice, so we're eager to find out the date too!

I'm ready for a week off...

May even invest in a larger porta potti!

(I've copied the post link to Jerry so he can catch up with us.)

Just found out that our GPS (Garmin 192C) includes charts over to GBH!

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 22:39:09

Don't mean to throw gas on this fire...but, as an alternate bad weather destination...what about Marathon? I'm on the other coast (Tampa) and not able to trailer down to Homestead...but would attempt a cruise down the coast and to the keys to meet up with fellow 25'rs.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 07:42:07

Don,
we were in Bradenton last year before the windy visitors, we stayed at the B&B overlooking the Marina. You would have laughed if your saw our Laser II tied up in one of the slips there.

Are all you guys back up and running after the storms. I certainly understand your concern about alternative destinations. I fear that the best alternative destination in the event of bad weather is safely back home.

We are contemplating trailering over your way too. But Peggy is seriously looking at a new truck for that trip, it may pull a bit much on our 95 chevy blazer.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 10:26:01

My brothers and I did the Trailer Sailor Bahamas Flotilla a few years ago. I would love to do it again give the chance. My suggestion would be to make it on the week of the full moon. And in June it is already quite hot. So May would be more to my liking, even April. We launched at the Homestead Bay Front Park like the Conch Cruisers did. I was able to take a slip at the park the first (Friday) night. Others launched and moored to the sea wall. Saturday three of us took out to Biscayne Bay and gunk holed that night at Pumpkin Key which is close to Angle Creek and the way to the outside. Sunday we headed out to the ball buoys to wait for the others and got some SCUBA diving in. At around 1600 four of us at the buoys decided to start across the Gulf Stream and not wait for the others. There were fourteen boats that showed up at the park. Two had to stay behind (both C-25s) because of major problems. One dropped a swing keel cable and the other had motor trouble. I had twenty-four gallons of fuel which was plenty for the crossing. That was with a Johnson Sailmaster two-stroke. We had to motor the whole way across as the wind was light. We arrived a Nixon's Harbor at 0100. At day break the other eight could be seen on the horizon. Some of us only stayed a week in the Biminis while others stayed two and sailed further east. It was a good trip and I don't remember any one that crossed having any trouble other than a couple of groundings.

Edited by - Ben - FL on 08/25/2005 10:32:17

Scooter
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 10:28:29

I too would prefer similar boats since the local group I sail with have mostly larger boats and I usually need a head start. (although last sail I passed a 42 footer in calm winds until he started motoring.) Met him later and it was quite the ego boost since he offered this information to the group without my "bragging". He was more impressed with the boat than me though.

We would be coming from NC and are prefering to do the ICW prior to and after the trip. We will trailer if we must but...

We also have no knowledge of these islands or this trip. We will do much homework in preperation as we always do of course.

We also prefer to sail as much as possible. If we wanted to motor we would have bought a power boat. Did I say that? Shame. Shame.

What are the prevailing winds that time of year? etc...

We also would like to limit the trip to about 7 or less days. We already would be planning for a week to FL and a week back to NC.

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 12:35:37

Paul,
Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself enough to consider a return
visit.

Our area experienced minimal damage compared to the devastation that took place in Port Charlotte and along the path Charelie cut through Florida.

I hope you and yours are well prepared for Katrina

Best of luck.

Edited by - on

Doug C.
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 13:15:31

We went on the trip in 2003 that Ben mentioned, it was a blast and worth repeating. Add me to the list of hopefuls.

The MSN site that was used for organizing the trip is still there. http://groups.msn.com/BahamasFlotilla2003
Lots of pictures were posted. The message section has some garbage in it from recent un-moderated activity but the original exchange of messages appears intact.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 15:20:54

This sounds like it is taking off.

I have been to Bimini 10-15 times but the last was 17 yrs ago. Now I have little ones that are ready for a big adventure. We always did the crossing at night, leaving at 10-11 Pm. It is required at times to motor as the Gulf stream is always pushing you north. We always set the Min speed at 5 kts. It would be a great way to get some good fishing in and enjoy the beautiful water.

I suggested an alternate cruise if weather was bad. It could be as simple as hitting the middle keys or going around the Naples area on the west coast.

I have 2 dates that would work easily for me.

Mar 18-27
May 25-?

Once we decide on some of the initial dates, we can set up a email list to all concerned.

I would not be opposed to opening it up to non Catalina's. I would put the requirement on the ability to make whatever minimum speed we set. There were quite a few Beer cruisers who might be interested.

What do you all think.

Tom.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 17:14:31

yep, we're hunkered down if you can call it that.
JD is under tarps in the side yard. Peggy is still at work at the hospital.
We're seeing trees down, one traffic light bust, but nothing horendous around here.

Glad we're not out in the Bay or Ocean though.

Now, back to the fleet cruise... Sounds like we need to add fishing gear to our prep list. We're getting excited about it and havn't even got the date yet.

I'd better get working on my 30 things learned during our 5 day trip.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 17:33:50

Sounds like I need to find my next c-25 asap.

PW

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 20:10:40

Tom, I didn't think you were that old

Either one of those dates will work fine for me.

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 20:45:18

Just curious: Going to and thru the Bahamas is one thing, going to Bimini and coming back, seems like a lot of trouble when there are a lot of nifty places in South Florida to go, offering clear waters, good sailing, good swimming, snorkeling, partying, etc? Why not do your (our) own country first? Ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2005 : 22:25:44

Full Moon dates 2006

Year Month Day Time Day of week
2006 Jan 14 09:47 Sat
2006 Feb 13 04:44 Mon
2006 Mar 14 23:35 Tue
2006 Apr 13 16:41 Thu
2006 May 13 06:52 Sat
2006 Jun 11 18:04 Sun
2006 Jul 11 03:03 Tue
2006 Aug 9 10:55 Wed
2006 Sep 7 18:43 Thu
2006 Oct 7 03:13 Sat
2006 Nov 5 12:58 Sun
2006 Dec 5 00:24 Tue

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2005 : 07:23:21

Is the $300 per boat landing tax still in effect in the Bahamas?

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2005 : 08:19:44

The fee is ONLY $150! I guess the question of going to the Bahamas vs Keys boils down to adventure. It is quite and undertaking getting there and back. For me, that is part of the alure. I am also running out of time in Florida and this will be my last window for 5 years as I am moving to Wa in the Summer. Right now, I am leaning towards the Mar 18 timeframe.

Any thoughts....

Tom.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2005 : 11:45:40

March 18 is very close to the Spring Equinox and if my memory serves me correctly the prevailing winds shift from winter out of the North to more southerly in our favor. However it can be pretty cool here in North Florida. The lattitude may make a big difference. The fee for entering the country is good for the entire stay which is declared at customs and includes your fishing license. If you are fishing on the way across the stream do not bring your catch into the country because they will assume you caught them in territorial waters and there is a very stiff fine for fishing without a license. My brother David has a Grady White and fishes off shore St. Augustine so he brought a huge tackle box and two off shore poles. I even bought a couple of $35 rod holders at mounted them to the stern pulpit seats. Not sure what I would have done if they had landed a huge fish. [url="http://www.bigwhalecayowners.org/Bahamas%20Regulations%20a.htm"]Bahamas regulations[/url]

Edited by - Ben - FL on 08/27/2005 11:57:20

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.