Need Bahamas Advice

[Dan Mapes]

And you can say that about 90 percent of the places over there.

By and large, 250V/50A service is available, and I will say without hesitation, that it is better than what you will see in most of NYS. Especially the North shore of L.I. Sound. That is where you are lucky to get 210V/50A.

 

[rsmith]

Here's some "real" Bahama advice for ya. There is a lot of salt over there and everything works better with "grease". Including the people. Make friends with the dockmasters. When you shake his hand make sure there is some of that green grease in there. Its just the way it works. Its their country. If you think your feces have no odor and they are going to kiss your butt it aint the place for you. No offence just saying.

Here is a video my mate Brett did of one of our trips in 05
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyiQpKxdIBQ&feature=g-upl

 

[BUSTER]

While it is true Bahamians do love "tip",you also need to remember the hourly wage is as low as 4.00 an hour for the hospitality industry in a country where food and fuel is far more expensive than the States. Only skilled tradesmen make really decent money there. Like Dan and Patch I live there much of the year so we are pretty savvy how it works.

 

[BUSTER]

And you can say that about 90 percent of the places over there.

By and large, 250V/50A service is available, and I will say without hesitation, that it is better than what you will see in most of NYS. Especially the North shore of L.I. Sound. That is where you are lucky to get 210V/50A.

Dan the voltage Stateside is less because now for the most part it is three phase instead of the single phase they send down the docks in the Bahamas. It is usual for three phase to average 208/210 volts and that is sometimes a problem for refrigeration on older boats that were built in the days when single phase 240V was the norm. In any event a built in or dockside +10% buck and boost tranformer works wonders for faster starting of those old compressors.

 

[Fanfare]

The Conch Inn website is incorrect. They do have 50 amp 220v. twist connectors. The Admiral paid the bill, so I don't know the charges, but if there is a $30 daily charge for electricity it is partially offset by free (and good) fresh water. The dockmaster was extremely helpful, even before I tipped him, as I usually do. In fact, after I watched some poor blowboater make four near-disasterous missed approaches to the fuel dock the dockmaster went out in a dinghy and brought the boat in himself. They are used to this because this marina is headquarters to The Moorings and Sunsail, with lots of rentals.

We were disappointed in the restaurant, but they may just have had a bad night. Mangos, next door, was much better. On the whole, if you want to eat well in the Bahamas, cook on board. It's not their strong point.

We did have a problem with the Conch Inn laundry. They do it themselves and charge by the load. Unfortunately they mixed ours up and lost part which was never found. I hope someone somewhere is enjoying my new pyjamas!

 

[Dan Mapes]

There are different dock masters at the Conch Inn, and the one who greeted us was terrific, friendly, helped us in and connecting up. I greased him 20 bucks. The next day we got shafted by a different one.
BTW the water in Marsh Harbour while not metered, may be included, or there may be an initial hook up fee with a daily charge, and may not be up to World Health Organization standards. Most marinas in the outer islands like Elbow, Guana, and Green Turtle, use RO water. On occasion we have had issues with the water.

 

[BUSTER]

On the whole, if you want to eat well in the Bahamas, cook on board. It's not their strong point

.

Very well said Fanfare! After you have sampled the local fare and decided you have had the best of it,if you can, cook onboard.It's will be a hell of a lot cheaper and better "depending on the cook of course" than paying for the grossly overpriced, unimaginative entrees offered throughout the out islands.

From my experience you really need to travel to Nassau or Grand Bahama to find really good restaurants with great food such as Luciano's in Port Lucaya.Expensive? Yes but it isn't so bad when you get what you paid for.....

 

[Bill Root]

Luckily the Admiral is an excellent cook. I have the waistline to prove it. I put a new galley in BUFFALO GAL just so that she could enjoy her cooking passion onboard. We cook/eat onboard 75% of the time.

 

[ron6785]

The Admiral has decided we should do a "family reunion" of sorts next year in the Bahamas. This would be our first trip to the Bahamas, so I'm attempting to get out ahead of it by looking for advice from those who HOFers who may have experience cruising there. I know there are lots of Bahamas cruising guides, and I already have some, but first hand experience is always better, in my opinion. Here's a little background .

We would have our three adult children and their spouses, all in their mid thirties, plus our two-year-old granddaughter. Our kids are all employed, so the most time they are likely to be able get off is a week. I understand we may need to hang out in Lake Worth waiting for a good weather window, so Kathleen and I would get BUFFALO GAL over to the Bahamas some time in May, and the kids would all meet us there on a specified week in early June. We would plan to spend about eight weeks cruising the Bahamas, with one week for the famly to all meet in one location. We can comfortably accomodate six adults on BUFFALO GAL, so we need a marina with land accomodations for one of the couples on site or close by. Although we might go out for a cruise a couple of days, I also want to be sure that where ever we dock, there are enough activities close by to keep them all amused. When the kids are not with us, we would explore the isands, anchoring out as much as possible.

So, what suggestions would you have for the best place to use as a "base" when our children are with us? They would be flying in from Minneapolis, Chicago and Atlanta, so airport proximity is important. What would be a good cruising itinerary for the Admiral and me when they aren't with us? We don't necessarily need fancy, although that's nice once in a while. We do need decent and safe.

Thanks much for any advice you can provide.

Since you will be in the Bahmas in May the crossing will not be a problem. If you only have the Family for one week, then the Abaco's are probably the best and most like the Caribbean Islands from an appearance standpoint. There is more to do from an entertainment standpoint in the Abaco's. I just don't think there would be enough time for you to do the Exuma's or Eluthera. After the family leaves you can proceed south to the Elutheras and Exumas as well as the other southern islands. The water is definetely better in the south , but the weather should be pretty good anywhere from May on.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks, Ron. Looks like the Abacos will be it for the family week.

 

[BUSTER]

For all around diversity,safety and much more to do than any of the other outer Cays I would recommend Elbow Cay Bill. If it was to be during a winter month I would try the new Hope Town Marina because it is sheltered from the winter breeze,but because your trip is during May,Sea Spray would be a better place to be with it's nice breezes. Rent a golf cart or two and let your family have a ball!

 

[carolinacoast]

I haven't been down to the Abacos on my own boat yet, but have been down several times. My shortlist to consider would be Boat Harbour or Sea Spray. If logistics are important, then stay on Marsh with the family. Mango's had good food and service. If they can handle the ferry time to make flights, I would prefer to get out of Marsh and Sea Spray is where I would go with carts as suggested. A+. Last I was there the Marsh airport was still VFR only, so schedules were guidelines. Have a great trip.

 

[Fanfare]

Boat Harbor is a fine marina, excellent services, but by far the most expensive in the area. It is a long walk to markets from there, so you need a taxi. Sea Spray is very nice and often has a reduced monthly rate. I have found it cheaper to get this rate and then use Sea Spray as my base for going in and out. Good restaurant. The manager, Junior, is just great. You are a long way from Hopetown, so need to rent a golf cart. These are available by the day or longer.

 

[Bill Root]

No question Boat harbor is very proud of their facility. Their 2012 summer rate for 1-31 days is $3.25/day/ft, plus $0.15/gal water and $0.40/KWH electric. Any way you look at it, that's going to be at least $6,000 for a month. Sea Spray is $1.90/ft/day for 1-31 days plus $0.40/gal for water and $0.65/KWH electric. I have a pretty good idea how much water I'll use, but not a clue about the electric or what other fees and taxes will be piled on the bill when I check out. Are you guys aware of any discount programs that could help reduce the cost, ie Marsh Yacht Club or any others?

 

[wsdemmer]

If you are conservative with electricity by using only 50 amp service and not using but 2-3 AC'S during the day and night @.65 kwh then you can keep the bill between 60-75.00 per day. That includes running battery charger, cooking and lighting. That is what we have been averaging during our stay at Harbor View in Marsh. Water at HV is 30 per month. Rule of thumb is 1.00 pf of length of vessel for 240/50 amps per day (obviously thumbs differ in size). Hope this helps.

 

[Fanfare]

Here are a couple discounts for Abaco marinas for members of the Royal Marsh Harbour Y. C.

These are on the RMHYC member's website. There may be changes for this coming year.

Old Bahama Bay, West End, Grand Bahama I. 20% discount plus free use of all facilities. Good for getting there. Don't leave until high tide for the banks passage (5-6 ft at high).

Hopetown Marina $.75/ft pwr .65 kw, w .25 gal mixed ro and rain. As more of this new operation comes on line I would expect increases. Very nice people!

Harbour View, Marsh Harbour 10% off

Marsh Harbour Marina 25% off

Mango's Marina 8-30 days, $.60/ft; 31-90 days $ .50/ ft less for longer.

There are other discounts at US and Bahamas marinas. Dues are for the year starting in January. This was our first year of membership. I think the club is more active during the winter months
and when we arrive around March 1 many members seem to be headed for home. So fewer activities then. The discounts were still nice. You get a nifty burgee with your initiaton fee ($150), then dues go lower, to $30. As this is practically the finest club I belong to I figured it was a step up.

P.S. I received notice of my membership via an email which I nearly deleted as spam as the name was not someone I knew. This email contained my log-in info, so look out. Good luck. I promise not to black ball you.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks. Sounds like it's well worth the $150 fee. Since we're planning our trip for next year, I'll probably wait until January to join.

 

[Bill Root]

If you are conservative with electricity by using only 50 amp service and not using but 2-3 AC'S during the day and night @.65 kwh then you can keep the bill between 60-75.00 per day. That includes running battery charger, cooking and lighting. That is what we have been averaging during our stay at Harbor View in Marsh. Water at HV is 30 per month. Rule of thumb is 1.00 pf of length of vessel for 240/50 amps per day (obviously thumbs differ in size). Hope this helps.

We generally run the AC only in the rooms we're using, so except for the times when our kids are on board, we'll probbaly be using only 1-2 units. I appreciate all the useful information. Obvioulsy the Bahamas ain't cheap. The budget is growing by the day!