HATTERAS YACHT PARTS
CABO YACHT PARTS
Sam's is your source for Hatteras and Cabo Yacht parts.
Bahamas experts/Staniel Cay
- Thread starter Mike36c
- Start date
- Replies 9
- Views 2,387
Fanfare
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2005
- Messages
- 1,684
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 50' MOTOR YACHT (1964 - 1968)
I don't have my Bahamas Pilot's Guide with me, but I don't think there is anywhere else in the Exumas big enough for you. How long is the Norman's Cay airstrip? It is uncontrolled. I might have a slight worry over leaving a plane there unattended, probably unfounded. You might also have a look at the Stella Maris strip (4,000 ft) on Long Island. Again, if it gets windy you could be stuck there, but it's quite nice to explore the island.
My pick would be Nassau over Georgetown. You've got sheltered water all the way South over the Yellow Bank to most of the Exumas. The trouble with Georgetown is the last 20-30 miles over Exuma Sound which is fairly open. If it's windy you can get stuck in Georgetown Harbour. There are worse places to be.
We have been to the Emerald Bay marina on Great Exuma, back when it was a Four Seasons Resort. After going broke it is now Sandals. This is a couples-only resort and I got the impression children were unwanted, so have not been back. The floating docks are very nice. It's open to the east, however, and I worry about surge when seas are just right (or wrong). I would be afraid to store my boat there unattended.
My pick would be Nassau over Georgetown. You've got sheltered water all the way South over the Yellow Bank to most of the Exumas. The trouble with Georgetown is the last 20-30 miles over Exuma Sound which is fairly open. If it's windy you can get stuck in Georgetown Harbour. There are worse places to be.
We have been to the Emerald Bay marina on Great Exuma, back when it was a Four Seasons Resort. After going broke it is now Sandals. This is a couples-only resort and I got the impression children were unwanted, so have not been back. The floating docks are very nice. It's open to the east, however, and I worry about surge when seas are just right (or wrong). I would be afraid to store my boat there unattended.
Last edited:
rwappleton
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Messages
- 736
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 43' DOUBLE CABIN (1970 - 1984)
First what kind of airplane? Staniel is 3000' paved flat with no obstacles on either end. Not alot of room to park but I would consider it safe. Been there with several turbo props (MU-2, Commander, King Air) with no problems. Half a dozen times with a Falcon 10 but was well planned.....landed with enough fuel to return to Nassau with Ft pierce as an alternate.(yes legally) Love them Falcons!!!!!
Took a 26' John Alman from the Remora bay club via skull creek on the north end of Eluthera to Staniel in one day. Lots of fun!!!!!! The boss had a 53 Trumpey at a small cay just north of Staniel.
Took a 26' John Alman from the Remora bay club via skull creek on the north end of Eluthera to Staniel in one day. Lots of fun!!!!!! The boss had a 53 Trumpey at a small cay just north of Staniel.
rwappleton
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Messages
- 736
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 43' DOUBLE CABIN (1970 - 1984)
My second choice would be local charter out of Nassau. 402 or Aztec.
Pascal
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
- Messages
- 10,255
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 53' MOTOR YACHT (1969 - 1988)
Staniel's charter outfit, Watermaker Air, should be able to pick you up at Gtown with their caravan
Nassau is about 60nm from Staniel, about the same as Gtown. From Nassau the 30nm stretch between the yellow and white banks can be nasty
If you pick Gtown, a large center console can pick you up at Barraterre at the north side of the island (cab ride from airport) and run inside the bank all the way to Staniel in under an hour that s your best bet
Nassau is about 60nm from Staniel, about the same as Gtown. From Nassau the 30nm stretch between the yellow and white banks can be nasty
If you pick Gtown, a large center console can pick you up at Barraterre at the north side of the island (cab ride from airport) and run inside the bank all the way to Staniel in under an hour that s your best bet
boatwright
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
- Messages
- 158
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 53' MOTOR YACHT (1969 - 1988)
not sure by your question but if you won't have a boat and want to get to stanial you can take the mail boat between islands.in which case nassau would possibly give more options.
Dan Mapes
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 1,545
- Status
- OTHER
- Hatteras Model
- Not Currently A Hatteras Owner
It all boils down to how much time do you have and how much do you want to spend. If you are flying a jet, based on your avatar, I'd say you ain't worried about cash so open your wallet, charter a boat from Nassau like Charmer, and then bail out with a charter flight if the weather sucks.
This way you get the experience of all the other cays along the way if you like, and THAT is what you really want to see unless you are interested in real estate on Staniel.
This way you get the experience of all the other cays along the way if you like, and THAT is what you really want to see unless you are interested in real estate on Staniel.
OP
OP
Mike36c
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2005
- Messages
- 731
- Hatteras Model
- 36' CONVERTIBLE-Series I (1969 -1977)
Thanks for the replies. I'm asking for some friends of mine, they have a yacht, big plane and don't want to charter. Seems like Nassau for the plane and a yacht ride to the island. Thanks
Pascal
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
- Messages
- 10,255
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 53' MOTOR YACHT (1969 - 1988)
Mike
Again, see if Staniel can recommend a big Center Console to pick you up at Barraterre and run you on the bank to SC. A lot easier and smoother than Nassau.
Two years ago we were supposed to finish a charter in Gtown but the sounds was REAL nasty. We were anchored behind Lee Stocking, stayed inside and squeezed our 6+ draft to Rat Cay, then used the tender to drop the guests to a waiting cab at the Barraterre dock for the ride to Gtown airport.
From Lee Stocking to SC, the first half is too shallow for a big boat but a big CC can easily make it. Smooth ride all the way to heaven aka SCYC
Again, see if Staniel can recommend a big Center Console to pick you up at Barraterre and run you on the bank to SC. A lot easier and smoother than Nassau.
Two years ago we were supposed to finish a charter in Gtown but the sounds was REAL nasty. We were anchored behind Lee Stocking, stayed inside and squeezed our 6+ draft to Rat Cay, then used the tender to drop the guests to a waiting cab at the Barraterre dock for the ride to Gtown airport.
From Lee Stocking to SC, the first half is too shallow for a big boat but a big CC can easily make it. Smooth ride all the way to heaven aka SCYC
Dan Mapes
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 1,545
- Status
- OTHER
- Hatteras Model
- Not Currently A Hatteras Owner
In short, a bad day on the bank, is a bad day on the bank. The better the boat, the better the ride if the weather sours. And it does.
What time of year are you planning this for? A quick hop in the Summer when it's calm? Sounds good if you are willing to pay for the large CC ride. What about the folks on Staniel and a charter with their plane?
BTW we had our universe rocked by a Marlow making book from Highbourne to Staniel. Dude refused to answer a call and climbed all over us. We had to leave our course and take a 90 off our plan to get away from his wake.
What time of year are you planning this for? A quick hop in the Summer when it's calm? Sounds good if you are willing to pay for the large CC ride. What about the folks on Staniel and a charter with their plane?
BTW we had our universe rocked by a Marlow making book from Highbourne to Staniel. Dude refused to answer a call and climbed all over us. We had to leave our course and take a 90 off our plan to get away from his wake.
