Abacos Bahama crossing

T

trailertrawlerkismet

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
2,519
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Vessel Name
(2022) Kismet
On or around March 25 or so Lisa and I plan on crossing the Gulf Stream for the West End entrance to the Abaco Bahamas. This will be our third trip, first in our R29, and we’re making this post to see if there are any others planning on going over around this time period? If so we’re looking for a buddy boat. We travel slowly and will wait for up to two days after any northerly winds to make our crossing. If you are interested in traveling over together please reach out to me via this Tugnuts post or PM.

Jim Favors
 
Jim: Your cruise sounds wonderful and if I were on the east coast I would certainly join you as a 'buddy' boat.

I took a quick look at the map and determined from Palm Beach to West End is some 65 miles. At a cruise speed of some 10 mph the crossing will take some 6 to 7 hrs. What Florida port are you departing from ?

It was after looking at the map I realized and was surprised how close the Bahama islands are to Florida's coast.

Do you have to check with Customs as you enter the Bahamas ?

Have a great cruise/trip and do post your experiences along with photos in your Blog. Thanks.... 🙂
 
trailertrawlerkismet":1zn3lc9q said:
On or around March 25 or so Lisa and I plan on crossing the Gulf Stream for the West End entrance to the Abaco Bahamas. This will be our third trip, first in our R29, and we’re making this post to see if there are any others planning on going over around this time period? If so we’re looking for a buddy boat. We travel slowly and will wait for up to two days after any northerly winds to make our crossing. If you are interested in traveling over together please reach out to me via this Tugnuts post or PM.

Jim Favors
Click to expand...
Not ready to go yet but hope you keep posting future planned crossings as we plan to do the Bahamas eventually once we get more used to our new boat. Definitely want to cross with company!
 
Barry, we plan on departing from Fort Lauderdale and head northeast to the West End. By doing this you are able to use the northern moving Gulf Stream to help your crossing. Palm Beach is a straight shot but there would be a slight fight with the current. Any departure further north you be fully against the Gulf Stream. When departing the West End for the States we have cruised in a northwest direction to the Fort Pierce entrance, again taking advantage of the Gulf Stream current.

Yes you do need to check into Customs and pay a fee based on the size of your boat. In our case the entrance fee us $150.00, but it does include a fishing license.

Jim F
 
Just checked.... It's 3234 miles from Seattle to Palm Beach.... so could I suppose with a decent truck tow my boat over in 48-72 hrs. Food for thought. :lol:
 
From what I understand the marina at West End is closed, you can still check in but no dockage or facilities. You may want to check before going that direction.
 
I have heard that the Marina is closed so after check in with Customs we plan on continuing on to an anchorage.

Jim
 
My wife and I bought a 25 ft. Ranger Tug (MAXIMUS) a year ago, we are outfitting it with all the comfort and conveniences of home. We are going through all the mechanicals throughout the boat, it has literally taken the year that we owned it to complete the job, now we are instaling a satelite so we will be able to have tv reception aboard. Now we feel the boat is mechanically sound.

I have been wanting to go to the Bahama's, but my wife is not as enthusiastic as I am!!! We live on the east cost of FLa. ICW about 300+- to the north of Miami. We have talked about going with other boats....this is very tempting. This is the largest boat we have owned so not sure if we should venture that far right now.

Mike
 


We made the crossing a few years ago with a group of Tugs including a 31, couple of 29s, couple of 27s and a 25, including the Camelot II shown above.

It should not be a problem if you are prepared and use good judgement. I think the boats are able to handle a lot more than we are.

You'll notice some 5 gallon diesel cans on the bow. He brought these along as he was going to go fishing in the out islands.

We never got much below half a tank in our 27.
 
We wanted to bring this post back up....we’re 1 1/2 to 2 weeks out from making a crossing to the Abacos, Bahamas and looking to see if there are any other Tugnuts looking to head over around the same time? Anyone looking to do so and that want to buddy boat for the crossing let me know by post here, PM or personal contact.

Jim F
 
Hi Jim, the anchorage in front of the marina has a strong reversing current with variable holding. It is possible to work eastward and anchor near the settlement.
An alternative is to go Sale Cay, long day, but doable, then clear at Grand Cay and work you way south visiting Double Breasted, Safety Hole (Hogsty Harbor) at (Yankee Cay) from Carter’s Cay, Fish Cays or weather permitting Moraine Cay north side near a delightful beach. Then to Allen’s Cay. Garmin charts are good, but confirm with the eyeball.

Or from Sale Cay proceed to Allen’s Cay anchor and on to clear at Spanish Cay or Green Turtle. Clearing at Grand or Green Turtle is easy.

Have a great time, I am in Lake Okeechobee, maybe get to Abacos mid April. Get a BTC SIM card for (some) coverage, better in mid Abacos.
 
Alice J,

If you go in mid-April, let me know. We are in Key Largo.

Richard Kent
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top