Miami to Bimini

D

Dynamic Duo Plus

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Joined
Jun 16, 2003
RO Number
11729
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13
I was hoping to cross over next week..3/31 and head back 4/2. We haven't made the trip yet as my wife is apprehensive about traveling alone. Anyone planning to go next week so we can tag along? Any other advise? Thanks
 
Be ready to change your plans if the weather stinks. What size boat?
 
What Dan said. And you're not really alone. There is a fair amount of traffic out there most days and weekends.

Join Sea Tow.
 
Thanks guys. I do cruise a lot. From NY-Keys. She just has an issue about "pirates". I am sure that once i get us more than half way, she will relax. We have a 48' Ocean. Is there generally traffic out there?

I am also very used to canceling plans, unfortunately have done that too often.
 
Going from West Palm to West End yes, also from Ft. Lauderdale to Lucaya. It seems someone is always on the move. Speak softly and carry a shotgun?
 
I rarely see any boats between Mia and Bimini...

Avoid any northerly winds incl NE since that will cause steeper waves in The stream

all markers are gone in bimini so you have to read the water although it s pretty easy. Come in aiming at the north jetty into Bimini sand resort on south Bimini. You will have a white sand bar on port and a darker reef on stbd. Once you ve cleared that you can take a wide turn toward the harbour entrance

In any case DO NOT TRUST the plotter on your first trip there, some charts are 1/4 mile off and will put you on the reef. Take it slow watch the depth and read the water
 
Blindingly obvious question:

The entry to Bimini has been a challenge ( afaik ) since before I went in the mid 1960's.

The charts are off, but your GPS should give accurate position. Why is it tat no one posts the accurate "begin" and "end" points of the channel through the reef. I know the channel moves, but a simple date, along w/ the coordinates should reduce that issue.

( Ah, the answer is likely "liability", but some govt authority could do it... )
 
there is really no need for that since you can read the water pretty easily. personally i woudn't rely on anyone's waypoints, too risky to mis enter one.

what i dont' understand is why they don't have a range on land instead of buoys which never last.

in the past, the preferred route thru the reef was a range on the south end of the beach. it's still there and usable but once inside the reef you still need to read the water on a longer run up to the harbor entrance. it's also more shallow... i checked it with the tender a few months ago and i found some 7 to 8' spots on the old route.

here is screen shot of my personal marks, i still read the water but i have these saved if i ever come in with low vis.

bimini.jpg
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dynamic Duo Plus

Thanks guys. I do cruise a lot. From NY-Keys. She just has an issue about "pirates". I am sure that once i get us more than half way, she will relax. We have a 48' Ocean. Is there generally traffic out there?

I am also very used to canceling plans, unfortunately have done that too often.

Click to expand...


Pirates? Tell her you are not going to Disney World. Only Bimini. :-)

Most people I know don't bring a gun. But if she'll sleep better and it get's you over there, by all means carry one.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive

Blindingly obvious question:

The entry to Bimini has been a challenge ( afaik ) since before I went in the mid 1960's.

The charts are off, but your GPS should give accurate position. Why is it tat no one posts the accurate "begin" and "end" points of the channel through the reef. I know the channel moves, but a simple date, along w/ the coordinates should reduce that issue.

( Ah, the answer is likely "liability", but some govt authority could do it... )

Click to expand...


It's not really the channel through the reef that is a problem Bill. As you may remember over the top of the reef and in to the shallows it's deep enough.
It's the sand bar channel into Bimini that is the issue. For years it was very straight forward. Then they built the marina on South Bimini. Dredging and shoring up the entrance to that marina F'd up the old channel that ran along the beach of South Bimini into North Bimini.

Because that area is sand, the channel into Bimini moves around. Plus the fact that they don't maintain the markers.
 
Pascal, Years ago there were a couple of sticks stuck in the sand (Range Markers) as you approached S.Bimini.
Last trip over, the "sticks" were replaced with striped poles, easier to see. Are these markers gone? Is that approach no longer used?
Is your preferred route taking you across the old Sand Bar?
I'm planning a fishing trip in near future.
 
The ranges were there the last time I went through. And you could still use the old channel that ran along the beach. But you had to be careful by the cut into the marina on South Bimini. You also need to be in a boat that draws less than 5 feet. And that may very well have changed over time.
 
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