Let the preparations begin!

[rsmith]

It looks like you have a mix of 50's and 80's you need a chair and harness for the 80's . The 50's you can stand up but still need a belt harness combo for anything over 100lb less if your back has a few years on it. I always take a couple packs of ballyhoo and a flat of squid for deep droping. Even if you dont have electric reels you can still catch snapper and grouper in 1-200 feet by hand. No light no bite. you need a light on the deeper rigs. Cylumes dont work the depth crushes them. My favorite rig is the Islander ballyhoo combo its a killer for Wahoo dolphin yellowfin and white marlin.
We fished Chub a lot in the 70's and early 80's. Morgans bluff on the other side is Yellowfin tuna grounds all the way up to Joulters cay. Dolphin is good on the Chub side and a lot of Blue marlin in the deep water in the middle.

 

[motoryacht lover]

Hibanx,

What are you anticipating diesel to cost in the bahamas? I was contemplating a very similiar trip to bimini, the berrys, and eleuthera but the recent runup in fuel cost has me rethinking doing the Abacos again. Right now I am on the west coast of FL and Okeechobee is not deep enough for my comfort level, so it may be the Keys for me.

 

[hibanx]

Hibanx,

What are you anticipating diesel to cost in the bahamas? I was contemplating a very similiar trip to bimini, the berrys, and eleuthera but the recent runup in fuel cost has me rethinking doing the Abacos again. Right now I am on the west coast of FL and Okeechobee is not deep enough for my comfort level, so it may be the Keys for me.

I have recent reports that diesel is between 4.50 and 5.50/gal depending on where you get it. Nassau is cheapest. Out islands are pricey. I plan on doing a lot of trolling just to keep the fuel burn down.

 

[hibanx]

It looks like you have a mix of 50's and 80's you need a chair and harness for the 80's . The 50's you can stand up but still need a belt harness combo for anything over 100lb less if your back has a few years on it. I always take a couple packs of ballyhoo and a flat of squid for deep droping. Even if you dont have electric reels you can still catch snapper and grouper in 1-200 feet by hand. No light no bite. you need a light on the deeper rigs. Cylumes dont work the depth crushes them. My favorite rig is the Islander ballyhoo combo its a killer for Wahoo dolphin yellowfin and white marlin.
We fished Chub a lot in the 70's and early 80's. Morgans bluff on the other side is Yellowfin tuna grounds all the way up to Joulters cay. Dolphin is good on the Chub side and a lot of Blue marlin in the deep water in the middle.

You are correct. I also have a couple of 30's and some 20 lb spinning gear. I have a chair and harness setup for the big stuff. I just put a new freezer in the cockpit, so I plan to take a good supply of ballyhoo, and maybe a few rigged spanish mackerel. I hear the whites are biting well right now, they should be fun on the light stuff!

 

[hibanx]

Scheduled a thorough bottom cleaning for next week. Every little bit helps with fuel prices this high. Also just received my new Yachtsmans Guide to the Bahamas. It is a great resource for marina info, and local knowledge. Also I just confirmed my marina reservations in Palm Beach, Bimini, Chub, and Paradise Island. I think I am just about ready. I'm just waiting until the last minute to provision and load up bait. I just hope the weather gods are feeling generous. Towing a tender over to the Bahamas requires very settled seas.

 

[Fanfare]

I love the Yachtsman's Guide for the feel it gives for the Bahamas. In the last few years I have become a fan of the Explorer Charts which really make navigation simple. (I guess that is why there are so many boats here!) Sounds like their "Near Bahamas" chart book is what you want. For the Exumas you will need that one too.

As proof of the above, Explorer Charts have gotten us to Little Farmer's Cay in the Exumas without our being lost once.

Diesel was $5.18 at Staniel Cay last week. We have been runing hull speed since Nassau and running off the inverter at night. Really makes a difference.

 

[bobk]

Lots of Racor and secondary filters.

More time.

Didn't Ron post that fuel was 5-6/gal? That factored into my decision to stay stateside.

Bob

 

[hibanx]

More time...I have to work on that one. If I had another week, I would run the whole trip at 8-10 knots (I might anyway). The trolling should be good, maybe I can make up some of the fuel cost by eating fish the whole trip

 

[hibanx]

Well it's finally here. Departure day! The first leg of our trip begins tomorrow morning. I plan to take two days to cruise fish down the coast to Palm Beach. Then, next weekend we will cross over to Bimini, weather permitting. I will try and post some updates, pictures, and any useful information along the way.

 

[Avenger]

Sounds like fun, we'll be waiting for your reports. Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[J's Dream]

If you need a dock tomorrow night, PM me. You can stay here no charge. I'm just about exactly half way from Flagler Beach to Palm Beach. Google Eau Gallie Yacht Club to see my general location.

Good luck!!! Sounds like a great trip!

Jason

 

[hibanx]

Thanks for the offer Jason! I think we are going offshore from Ponce Inlet down to Ft. Pierce We are going to fish a little on the way. If the offer still stands I may take you up on it on the way home at the end of the month?

 

[J's Dream]

Anytime, send me a message when you know your schedule...enjoy the trip! I just heard reports of dolphin in 140 off the coast here. Up to 25 and 30 pounds were caught this weekemd so far.

 

[hibanx]

Well, all of the preparations didn't prevent my generator from self destructing 16 hours into the trip. The good news is, after a few phone calls, I have arranged for a brand new shiny one to be installed this week in Palm Beach. If all goes as planned, I will still be on schedule to cross to Bimini and beyond this weekend. The first leg of the trip was intended to be a shakedown to test all the systems. So, I guess that part of the plan worked out. Since the fuel prices are so high, the cost of a new genset doesn't hurt so bad. BOAT= Break Out Another Thousand!

 

[Avenger]

Sooooo....

Murphy 1 : Hibanx 0

Standing by with fingers crossed....

 

[hibanx]

Fortunately Murphy only scored the one time. After the NASCAR style generator swap pit stop in Palm Beach, the rest of the trip went flawlessly! The whirlwind Bahamas tour was awesome. After stops in Bimini, Chub Cay, and Nassau (to pick up the Admiral and other guests) it was off to the Exumas; Alans Cay, Staniel Cay, Big Majors Spot, Highbourne Cay, Sampson Cay, and Compass Cay. After a drop off in Nassau, the return trip included a stop at Hoffman Cay in the Berry Islands, then an overnight run back to Palm Beach just in time to beat the arrival of a late season cold front. The boat is now back home in Flagler Beach after a total of 1100 miles. The Detroits ran perfectly, only burning about 2 quarts of oil a piece. Unfortunately I can't say the same about diesel fuel. Much of the trip was at trolling speed (lots of fish to show for it) to save fuel. The 6-92's were pretty efficient at 6-8 knots, producing 1.0 nautical miles per gallon while towing my 16' Scout skiff the entire trip! fuel prices in the Bahamas were high, but not outrageous compared to Florida. Prices ranged from $4.95/gal in Nassau to $5.10 in Bimini. I will try and post some pictures later.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Heres a partial list of the major spares I already have:

Impellers for mains and gen
Filters for mains and gen
Complete water pump assembly for mains and gen
Spare injectors
Complete spare turbo for mains
2 cases of 40 wt oil (in quarts, easier to handle in tight ER)
Spare A/C pump
Spare fresh water pump
Spare tail shaft
Spare set of props

Thats pretty much the big stuff....what am I missing?

Spare fan belts for alternators.
Big selection of hose clamps.
Oh yeah.. fixin's to make fruit pies onboard to trade for lobsters.