1st Annual 2014 Bahamas / Abacos Rendezvous

T

tgaston

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First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Tommy Gaston and I am one of the owners of Seagate Marine Sales in Stuart, Florida. We have been a Ranger Tug dealer for about 2 1/2 years in addition to being in business for over 21 years. Some of you know me and we have already discussed the rendezvous for this July. This is an open invitation for anyone else who would like to join us. So far we have about 6-7 Ranger Tugs going on this 400 mile round-trip adventure. Please click on the link below for the schedule of events along with the full details of the rendezvous. If anybody has any questions please do not hesitate to call me on my cell at 561-758-5499 or email me at tgaston@seagatemarine.com


https://www.dropbox.com/s/sf710ji1vx9rzcw/Rendezvous Packet.pdf
 
Gratitude is in!!! Looking forward to this great adventure, cruising the Abacos with other Tug owners. This will be our first Gulfstream crossing in our own boat. Thanks Tommy for all the hard work you put into this.

Tim and Donna
 
Blue Merle can almost see the azure sea and waving palms......

We're definitely interested!

Bill
 
Tuggin Aweigh is also definitely interested. My wife and I have been discussing this trip. Doing it with a group makes it even more appealing.
Tuggin Aweigh
Frank and Pam
 
Well unfortunately our schedule will not permit, but the itinerary looks great and maybe we will use it for a trip next April, winds permitting.
 
Geeesh.... I wished I lived in Florida... 😱 Looks like a fun cruise.
 
If you ever decide to have an Exuma, Bahamas rendezvous, I can help. March, April and Nov, Dec, I am in residence on Staniel Cay and can advise on moorings and anchorage, fueling, supplies and cruising area. I have a Ranger 29, but keep it on Lake Champlain in VT.

Dick Catlin
Big Toot
 
After looking at the agenda for the trip, we are going to say yes!!! This will be a great way to safely cross the Gulfstream and get to the most beautiful cruising grounds we've ever seen. We chartered from the Moorings six years ago and loved every minute of the trip. Really looking forward to this trip on our own boat!!!

Tim and Donna
Gratitude
 
Total registration numbers are in and we are at 8 boats (including my boat). Going to be a great group!!

Now that the number of boats are set I am making final plans with the marinas we will be staying at.

Please contact the following marinas to make your Reservations & mention Ranger Tug Rendezvous for discounted rates:

Old Port Cove Marina - 561-626-1760 (Arrive when you'd like, Captains meeting 7pm on 7/14 & Depart 6:30am on 7/15)

Old Bahama Bay - West End - 888-983-6188 (Arrive 7/15 & Depart 7/16 - Return Trip - Arrive 7/23 & Depart 7/24

Hope Town Inn & Marina - Contact Aaron @ 242-366-0003 (Arrive 7/19 & Depart 7/21) It is very important to please get your reservation in asap to Aaron so he can reserve space for all of us at the same marina. As of today he has space for us but there is not a lot of room in Hope Town so it can fill up quick. They require one nights paid reservation ($2 per ft) to hold the slip.

I am waiting to hear back from the marina manager @ Green Turtle Yacht Club about slip rates. I spoke with them today and it looks like they'll be able to fit all of us in one spot as well. I will post an update and contact info as soon as I get things finalized with them.
 
Aahhh, Bahamas.

6 tugs left Port Cove 6:30 a Tuesday to make the crossing on a quiet sea, making 12-13 kts.

Everything working great, and the tropical island beckoning kept our spirits up as the caffeine effects waned.

Soon some storm clouds loomed and we had about a half hour in really bad vis, and the radar was useless due to rain scatter interference; i did try adjusting to several levels tho. We kept course but slowed down and after the storm passed, we continued on to check in at West End, arriving about 2p.

Customs checkin was easy, and good water and electric at marina, really needed the a/c that first night!

Tommy and Ashley put on a great dinner beachside and we had a great time getting to know everyone.

Wednesday, our destination was Allans Pensacola Cay, about 72 miles. Wind, waves and current kept our speed bouncing between 9.5 and 12.5 kts. Decision was made to anchor on lee side of Allans Pensacola due to winds, and a good thing too!

Heard a sailboat on the vhf measure 36kt wind, and i can tell u thats more than enough to put out flame on a magma grill.

Our 10kg Rocna held firm with the 40 feet of chain and abt 20 ft of rode in 5 ft of water. I would definitely endorse that anchor.

Nice cool breeze ventilated cabin all night, so no need for generator.

Still pretty breezy so i'm thinking since the Atlantic is here, i might end up in Europe if i took out the inflatable kayak....

Today we make for Green Turtle Cay.

Bill
 
😀

Look forward to hearing more and seeing pics! So glad that you folks have set a bit of a precedent here, CaptD withstanding.
 
Here's a shot from an oncoming storm 3 days ago at Allans Pensacola Cay:



Even tho we got caught in a thunderstorm in the golf cart, it was still fun exploring New Plymouth and touring the museum there. and the gore-tex raingear kept us dry.

We didn't realize that British Loyalists settled here after the American Revolution.

The way it's been raining we might as well be in Ketchikan.

Here's a shot of B'zinga, Blue Merle and the Andrea Cay docked at Green Turtle Cay:



Today we had the weather we were expecting here in Bahamas; blue skies, clear green waters and almost flat water.

Had an easy run into Hopetown and Tommy and Ashley Gaston gave us a dinghy ride over to a really good lunch at Harbour's Edge.



will post more later, and hope all y'all are having a great time wherever the tug takes you.

Bill
 
Rainbow over Hopetown:



View from Hopetown lighthouse:



Tomorrow it's on to Powell Cay.

The stars are finally out here!

Bill
 
Glad to hear the trip has been such a success. You know we would've joined you if we'd bought our boat a little sooner 🙂 Looking forward to getting back down to Stuart this Winter to see everyone at Seagate again. Vincent was a great guy to work with. More pics please! Bob & Cynthia Mason
 
Looks like a great time. Hopefully we can make it next year. Have a safe crossing on your return and keep the pictures coming.
Brian and Loretta
 
We've been back a week and just sorting out the jpgs from various devices.

Had a really easy crossing back across the gulf stream, even getting to see a very large manta ray and a sea turtle in about 80 ft of water off of Stuart.

This was a fantastic trip and it should be on every Tug's bucket list. We felt really confident and the boat handled really well. The last 2 nights at anchor on Powell Cay and Great Sale Cay the clouds peeled back and we could see the milky way, satellites and shooting stars. The quiet was very relaxing, as was the ride; even though the mighty Atlantic Ocean was very near.

Here a few more jpgs culled out:

Crossing Gulf Stream to Bahamas, a waterspout wants to form ahead of Our Idea:



A squall begins to envelop our little fleet:



Camelot II underway in modest seas:



Hardcore fisherman races back in dinghy to beat storm at Allans Pensacola Cay:



Beachfront table at Harvey's Cafe in New Plymouth:



Blue Merle leaving Hopetown (Thanks for the photo Ashley!)



The last night at anchor at Great Sale Cay, with Seagate, Camelot II, and B'Zinga on the hook:



Here's Wally and Ruth in their Pudgy at Old Bahama Bay:

 
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