Questions for those who have gone to the Bahamas
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Mary & Roger
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Questions for those who have gone to the Bahamas
TEAMWORK is leaving this fall for the Bahamas. Questions...Where is the best jumping off point? Best place to enter? Charge? Do we need a quarantine flag? Watermaker? What is the best phone service? Internet? Cruising guide book? Have you ever tried 'Air Line' instead of scuba tanks?
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SecondWind
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Re: Questions for those who have gone to the Bahamas
Try this website. It should answer most of your questions. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BahamasExplorer/
Make sure to buy and use the explorer charts, they are the ONLY ones to use in the Bahamas.
We like to depart from Angelfish creek (South of Miami) and proceed to Cat Cay, a fifty mile crossing. You can take a slip there (expensive) and check in there. You will need a quarantine flag and a Bahamas courtesy flag (West Marine carries both) and you US flag. You will need passports for everyone onboard and ships papers (documentation, registration, radio license). Be sure to photocopy multiple copies of everything before you leave the states to ease your way at customs. You will also need a US Customs sticker before you leave the US. If you leave in 2009 and return in 2010 you'll need stickers for both years.
Get in touch with US Border and Customs and register for the " Local Boater Option" before you depart. It will allow you to return with just a phone call. Fees: $150 for less than 35 feet, $300 for over 35 feet. Be sure to ask for a fishing permit, it is included.. After you leave Cat Cay, you can proceed to Chub Cay across the banks (~85 miles). Nassau is then 36 miles south. I recommend Yacht haven in Nassau before entering the Exumas. If you have a watermaker, that is great, but major islands have fresh water (it id free in Georgetown at the Exuma Market dinghy dock. (If you buy a watermaker-Spectra makes a good one. Get something that makes at least 8 gallons an hour (you don't want it running all day). Cell phone may or may not work. Get a Batelco card for pay phones. Wi-Fi is becoming more common, but scattered. Skip the cruising books and buy the Explorer charts. They have everything you need. Take half-wetsuits-winter water is cold. Most of all enjoy the trip=you won't want to come home.
Make sure to buy and use the explorer charts, they are the ONLY ones to use in the Bahamas.
We like to depart from Angelfish creek (South of Miami) and proceed to Cat Cay, a fifty mile crossing. You can take a slip there (expensive) and check in there. You will need a quarantine flag and a Bahamas courtesy flag (West Marine carries both) and you US flag. You will need passports for everyone onboard and ships papers (documentation, registration, radio license). Be sure to photocopy multiple copies of everything before you leave the states to ease your way at customs. You will also need a US Customs sticker before you leave the US. If you leave in 2009 and return in 2010 you'll need stickers for both years.
Get in touch with US Border and Customs and register for the " Local Boater Option" before you depart. It will allow you to return with just a phone call. Fees: $150 for less than 35 feet, $300 for over 35 feet. Be sure to ask for a fishing permit, it is included.. After you leave Cat Cay, you can proceed to Chub Cay across the banks (~85 miles). Nassau is then 36 miles south. I recommend Yacht haven in Nassau before entering the Exumas. If you have a watermaker, that is great, but major islands have fresh water (it id free in Georgetown at the Exuma Market dinghy dock. (If you buy a watermaker-Spectra makes a good one. Get something that makes at least 8 gallons an hour (you don't want it running all day). Cell phone may or may not work. Get a Batelco card for pay phones. Wi-Fi is becoming more common, but scattered. Skip the cruising books and buy the Explorer charts. They have everything you need. Take half-wetsuits-winter water is cold. Most of all enjoy the trip=you won't want to come home.
Terry Green
s/v Second Wind
36040
s/v Second Wind
36040
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Tanah-Keeta
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Re: Questions for those who have gone to the Bahamas
Whay Terry said is correct... get the Explorer Chartbook. It has most of the answers you need.
If you are going to the Abacos, leave Lake Worth and check in at West End or continue on to Marsh Harbor (with a night at anchor at Great sail) and check in there. I left Lake Worth last year at 7am and was in Great Sail by 3 pm...left there at 7 and was in Marsh Harbor at 1pm.
If you go to the Abacos, give us a call. We are in Boat Harbor at the Abaco Beach Resort.
If you are going to the Abacos, leave Lake Worth and check in at West End or continue on to Marsh Harbor (with a night at anchor at Great sail) and check in there. I left Lake Worth last year at 7am and was in Great Sail by 3 pm...left there at 7 and was in Marsh Harbor at 1pm.
If you go to the Abacos, give us a call. We are in Boat Harbor at the Abaco Beach Resort.
Ron McDaniel
TK III 34108
TK III 34108
Re: Questions for those who have gone to the Bahamas
We have crossed several different ways... Lately we cross from Stuart FL and head for Lucaya. Check-in goes well and you can anchor while waiting for the next weather window.
We typically go to the Berry's, next on to or through Nassau, and then into the northern Exumas. Now you can travel the Exumas chain at your leisure.
Typically, cruisers start in the Exumas and the go back to the Abacos in the Spring. Typically (not always) the weather in the Abacos is colder & the winds stronger than in the Exumas, until Spring.
I would highly recommend an SSB radio, or an SSB receiver at a minimum. You will then be able to hear the latest weather from Chris Parker each AM at 6:30. The name of the game in the Bahamas is where do we anchor for the clocking fronts? Ninety percent of the anchorages are good for the prevailing NE to SE winds. Only 10% are good when a clocking front passes and the winds go S, SW, W & NW. Chris will tell you when these fronts are coming so you can anchor with protection. You can listen on the SSB for free, or subscribe to his e-mail service.
We'll be at Big Majors Spot for Xmas...
We typically go to the Berry's, next on to or through Nassau, and then into the northern Exumas. Now you can travel the Exumas chain at your leisure.
Typically, cruisers start in the Exumas and the go back to the Abacos in the Spring. Typically (not always) the weather in the Abacos is colder & the winds stronger than in the Exumas, until Spring.
I would highly recommend an SSB radio, or an SSB receiver at a minimum. You will then be able to hear the latest weather from Chris Parker each AM at 6:30. The name of the game in the Bahamas is where do we anchor for the clocking fronts? Ninety percent of the anchorages are good for the prevailing NE to SE winds. Only 10% are good when a clocking front passes and the winds go S, SW, W & NW. Chris will tell you when these fronts are coming so you can anchor with protection. You can listen on the SSB for free, or subscribe to his e-mail service.
We'll be at Big Majors Spot for Xmas...
Roger and Bonnie