Bahamas 2024 prep

[Pascal]

If you don’t need service underway then the basic dish will work fine

Not sure what you mean by “will have a brand new portable receiver”

 

[madhatter1]

The antenna? I don’t know what to call it. They just call it all the Starlink.

 

[Sadey]

They call the dish, dishy Mc flat face. Not really applicable but ours (first gen untouched) has worked all the way to up to 16kts but that’s in the Great Lakes. Not sure if that helps. RV $150 version on pause for the winter season.

 

[CGHOST4]

I hope this information helps. I have the Standard Starlink Antenna, in the USA I have Mobile Regional Service $150 month, when I went to the Bahamas I had to switch to Mobile Global Service $200 month. The Global service also worked in the USA, I switched the month before we left. With Mobile Global I had service at 10 knots, but lost service 10 miles out of Miami, and regained service 10 miles outside Bimini. We lost service between Bimini and Chub and again the internet came back as we got closer to the islands. Same thing between the Berries and Spanish Wells. It appears the Starlink service is available around the islands, at anchor etc., but for the long stretches between islands service is sketchy. When we returned we switched back to the Regional $150 service with no problems. Also, when we made a 16 knot run from Naples to Key West with Regional Service we lost internet for a while out in the gulf just like the trip to the Bahamas.


Caesar's Ghost
1980 58 YF #472

 

[Pascal]

The service map is in the SL website and clearly shows where service will be available using the mobile plans (regional or global) with blue hexagonal cells. Anytime you re in a black cell, you will only have service if you toggle OIPD in the app. Indeed across the stream, between Bimini and the Berrys as well as between Nassau and Exumas we have to toggle OIPD

SL also offers priority plans starting at $250 a month incl 50 gigs. One trick though is that when you will be using the allocated data first, even near land. So after that is used you still have to pay $2 a gig extra

I just saw that SL is about to release a new dish which is a little smaller than the existing versions, motor less and easier to move around as it no longer as the pole sticking out. Apparently it is not approved for in motion use though

 

[madhatter1]

Dishy Mc Boatface ordered and on the way. So I'll have plenty of time to get the Starlink mounted, working, and used.

So now starting on lists of spares and provisions. Going to purchase a 5.5 CF deep freezer and make (or have made) a nice top and make it a table in the salon. It will hold food vacuum sealed and maybe some extra ice. I have a local guy who goes to the the Bahamas on extended trips that's helping me out with being prepared as well as anchorages in Bimini area to spend some time on the hook.

I'm open to all suggestions from those who have been there. I know going to Bimini, West End area, and Back to Stuart is not really that far but it's a big step for us. I'll take all the help we can get. Starting out end of May towards Marathon and cruising in June.

 

[Dan Mapes]

Our first time over we stopped in West End and held for weather. Once it cleared we anchored at Great Sale and then went on to Green Turtle, Guana, and Elbow. It might seem out of reach for the first time but getting over the stream into the shallow waters is a relief and it sets the stage for a great adventure. If you stock up and you get across the stream ok, in good weather the run on the bank to the Abacos is easy and well worth it.

 

[madhatter1]

Dan, thanks but that stuff is for our next trip. Dipping our toe in the water this trip. Plus I am told the are a couple great anchorages near Bimini. Then when we run up to West End taking advantage of friends/family being able to fly in and meet up. Even have a guy flying his own plane in (also a first for him) to hang out. Trip should be a blast. Then next time after "been there, done that" getting over we will venture out further. Plan on a buddy boat for that. Who's up for Bahamas 2026?

 

[Pascal]

The only half decent anchorage around Bimini is the east side of Gun Cay, near the north end. Its exposed to the east though it can be choppy over 12-15kts

Honeymoon harbor is ok with small boats (under 45/50’) because of current and odd swinging patterns. Very busy in summer.

West side Bimini (radio beach) is ok depending on weather. NE swells can wrap around and make it rolly. Further north, it s all been destroyed by Resort World Bimini Bay so unless you want to see a cruise ship pier, constructin etc forget it

In calm weather the NW shore of Bimini past the north point is ok, nice Long Beach, but nothing special.

Bimini was great years ago, nowadays we don’t even stop on the way to the Exumas, it s not worth it


West end doesn’t have much to offer either besides a place to clear customs.

I would suggest you clear in Bimini, check out honeymoon harbor , a day and overnight, snorkel the Sapona, then hop to the berrys, an easy 60/70nm run on the bank. Great Harbor cay has a nice marina, amazing beaches along with a few nice spots just south.

One more thing, weather windows to cross the stream are longer between Miami and Bimini than north to west end. Oh and the run between Bimini and west end can be rough too, more than running on the bank to the Berrys

 

[madhatter1]

Starlink arrived yesterday. It was a snap to set up. Set up in the back yard to test out. The dish in nearly facing out house (on it's own) and the speed test pegged the meter.

Big takeaway. Get the app. Basically every question I had is addressed on the app. Nice stuff.

 

[Pascal]

It is a game changer. We used to pay $80 a month for ATT state side plus $80 for MyIslandWifi in the Bahamas… half the speed on a good day and no service crossing the stream or the banks.

 

[madhatter1]

Generator is here. Thanks Scott.

 

[madhatter1]

Sideways, of course.

 

[madhatter1]

Question on power. Is 50 amp readily available or will we need a splitter that turns 2 30A into 1 50A?

 

[Pascal]

Single 50s are no problem.

 

[madhatter1]

Boat set to splash Friday or Monday. Shake down trips planned. But reading that Gun Cay anchorage is now not a good option as the cruise ships own (rent) the beach. Really want to do the hook but not if it's a no fun zone. Any insight on this?

Maybe rethink the trip and go to West end and then Further out towards Abaco's. Better trip? Safe trip? Anchorages and marinas? Fuel? Super newbie seeking guidance.

 

[Pascal]

We haven’t stopped at Gun Cay in a while but I wonder which cruise that would be. MSC has built they own island on Ocean Cay (to the south) with beaches tc so I don’t see why they d ferry passengers to Gun. Virgin stops at Bimini Bay but they be also built a beach club so no interest for them to use Gun Cay either. I could be wrong

Abacos maybe easier but in winter the weather is much colder and windy than further the south. The crossing windows between WPB and WE are shorter too.

An other option for a first trip would be the Berrys. Chub isn’t bad (nice marina, book online much cheaper). Great Harbor Cay is nice too, the marina is very protected and more authentic than chub. Great beaches on the island. The Berrys have a few nice anchorages too and closer than abacos or Exumas.

We left miami ths morning for a couple of weeks in the Exumas with the 116. Currently in the Tongue approaching west end New Providence, heading to shroud for a couple of days before owners fly in Staniel on Friday. The stream was a little sloppy but at least the Tongue is pretty nice. Starlink has been flawless even during the 4 hours we ran at 20kts. Should get to Shroud around 3 am. I don’t like running fast at night…

Of course no trip is glitchless… fired up the stbd Ohno 45 this morning and got no output. Bad voltage regulator… always carry a spare !!! I actually had two spares, one for each gen

 

[rsmith]

Winds been howling over here on the east coast for weeks. You should wait until may and do the abacos. It’s an easier trip with more places to see and shorter easier runs in a more protected area.

 

[madhatter1]

We are starting out end of May. Wife still wants to go to Bimini for a couple days so maybe the Berries, and then West End after that.

 

[zigzag930]

Cruise ships at Gun Cay? Not sure about how they would do that as the water isn't all that deep on the East side.

We've anchored there and plan to use this as our stopover on the way to the Berries.

Plan to leave last few days of May, a few days in the Berries then on to the Exumas!!!