2017 Bahamas Cruise

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Gusto
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2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Gusto »

We talked about a Spring cruise to the Bahamas at the Seminar in Stuart, FL. The tentative plan is to go to West End, then the Abacos, and leaving the remainder of the trip open. We plan to leave from somewhere between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale around mid to end of April.
If you would like to join us, please let us know your plans and dates.

Bob & Sandy MacNeill
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

We have been researching a short visit (2 weeks) in Cuba with a lot of time in FL before and after. BUT, the insurance issue is up in the air, so we may be returning to the Abacos in late April instead.

We have already been (with our sailboat) quite far into the Bahamas, but have no desire to repeat that this year. The Abacos will suffice, if Cuba does not work out. Good luck with your plans.
Duane Ising
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Nirwana
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Nirwana »

Bob & Everyone else,

As I mentioned at the seminar, I am definitely planning on joining the cruise to the Bahamas at the end of April. The boat is in Stuart, so I will probably be crossing from Palm Beach if check in is at West End. I'll be staying in the Bahamas until early June or possibly early July if I leave the boat at a marina for about 10 days in mid June. I will send some updates to this thread with suggestions.

Tom Reese
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Flyer »

We certainly enjoyed meeting fellow owners at the rendezvous and share their interest in the Bahamas. Traveling in a group also has advantages. However, during the conversation much was made of long-term moorings, restaurants, internet, and swimming pools. With all due respect to personal preferences, this is not ours. I believe Catherine and I will squander our youth in the Exhumas.
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

Well, I think we are 99% sure we will NOT be going to Cuba this year. Apparently, no US carriers write insurance for Cuba yet, and the best policy my agent could come up with doubled my annual premiums, has a stiff cancellation penalty (they figured out people would cancel soon after the Cuba trip is over), doubles the deductibles for Cuban losses, etc., etc.

Looks like the Abacos will win this year. BTW, we love the Exumas and beyond, but we don't like bashing all that distance into the prevailing wind and waves. Plus, we have more limited time this year.
Duane Ising
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AlanH
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by AlanH »

We are interested in going to the Bahamas this year as well. We have never been before so the Abacos sounds great to us. We can't before the last few days of April or early May.
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by kjoverbeck »

We would like to go with the group but can't wait that long. We hope to leave Lake Worth for West End the second week of March weather permitting.
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Lady of the Lake »

Duane,
Come to Cuba with us on our charter trip:

http://www.songwritersisland.com/cuba.html

Sam
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deising
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

Sam,

That is a very generous offer, but we have committed to the Abacos trip at this point and will not be able to join you on your charter. It does sound like a fun way to visit Cuba for a brief period. We hope you have a blast.
Duane Ising
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Gusto
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Gusto »

We will probably leave for the Abacos from Lake Worth in early April. Anybody else interested in leaving in early April?

Bob MacNeill
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

FYI - our planned itinerary is to cross from Key Largo or thereabouts, rest at Gun Cay, then cross the bank to the northern Berrys to clear in. Then we'll do a counter-clockwise cruise through the Abacos, crossing back to FL at the St. Lucie Inlet and returning to Punta Gorda via the Okeechobee Waterway.

We plan to be looking to cross from FL near the end of April and back to FL about mid-June.
Duane Ising
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2006 PDQ MV 34 - hull 91, 75HP, 3-blade
deising
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

Diva Di is now staged in Key Largo awaiting a crossing window to the Bahamas (near Cat Cay) in a few days. There were posts by other captains saying they wanted to leave earlier this month.

How about a roll call for who is over there?
Duane Ising
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Gusto
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by Gusto »

Gusto and Taryn Aweigh will be in Lake Worth this week. Wednesday's weather looks promising for a crossing to West End. Anybody else ready to go?
Bob
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by James Power »

Looks like we are on the same schedule Bob.
See you there.
James, Jackie, and crew aboard Cheemaun.
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Re: 2017 Bahamas Cruise

Post by deising »

After enduring some fierce winds in the Berrys, we made the crossing to the southern Abacos yesterday. We are now at Lynyard Cay, just N of Little Harbour, and will slowly make our way over the next 8 weeks to West End to cross to St. Lucie, FL.

Hope to see some of you over here.
Duane Ising
m/v Diva Di
Punta Gorda, FL
2006 PDQ MV 34 - hull 91, 75HP, 3-blade
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