Size matter?

Kurt I received your mail, not sure why you did not get mine. Anyway, I'll drop a line on your web site.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman
...having somebody to show you how the trip works the first time is usually a good idea.

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Just don't follow Kurt thru "Don't Rock" when its raging. Most folks just wait for the seas to lay down. I draw 3.5 feet and I use Whale Cay channel, but when Kurt used Don't Rock, Whale Cay channel likely had breaking waves.

Steven Dodge's "Cruising Guide to the Abacos" is very good. It is updated annually, and I always buy it before I go. Also, Explorer Charts are the best for the Bahamas. C-Map uses Explorer Chart data. I am a member of C-Map Club, which gives me a chart update annually. The membership fee is $80/year (if memory serves me well). Each chart update I have gotten covers a larger territory than the last chart, so I feel that it is a good deal. I have not looked at Navionic charts for areas that I'm familiar with, so I don't know how they compare. Garmin G2 charts also use Explorer Charts data.
 
Mark thanks for the input. I've never intended to try Don't Rock since the water there is so skinny. We also pull about 3.5 feet. Since we'll have some time (like all Winter) we are going to wait for good weather as appropriate. Our boat Freedom is no fun in a beam sea and we are not great at running a following sea. That's why I was interested in the conditions over there.
 
quote:
Just don't follow Kurt thru "Don't Rock" when its raging. Most folks just wait for the seas to lay down. I draw 3.5 feet and I use Whale Cay channel, but when Kurt used Don't Rock, Whale Cay channel likely had breaking waves.

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Actually, on both of our trips through the Don't Rock it was breaking. I can't even image what the Whale was like. Thankfully, our little boat doesn't seem to mind beam seas that much, and I was able to steer around the breakers (although I got to watch our sister-ship take a huge breaker on her port side...tossed them a good 20 yards to starboard before they could get back on plane and steer away from that big brown ROCK.)
 
Actually, Don't Rock passage has been getting deeper over the last 3 years according to Dodge's guide. I think the depth is up to 4' at MLW. So if you go thru at high tide, you will have 7'. But the problem is the sea state. According to Dodge's guide, if Whale Channel is bad, so is Don't Rock. There is lots to do on either side of Don't Rock. Actually, on two of my trips, we only went as far as Green Turtle Cay because we had limited time and wanted to spend more time on the beach and snorkling than motoring (and burning fuel (I burn WAY more fuel than Kurt)). I try to avoid breaking waves and rocks when I go boating.
 
Mark I'm with you on avoiding waves and rocks. No fun in those!
 
Kurt,

Just got back into town. Went to Charleston for the Weekend for some surf fishing. Didn't do much good but had a great time nonetheless.

The places that you guys are talking about are not familiar with me, so it's time to do some research of the Bahamas Islands.

Do you have any info on the Motorcat that is in NC that is for sale?

The places that you guys are talking about are not familiar to me, so it's time to do some research of the Bahamas Islands. I will be checking out some maps, and also want to look up some of the places that Kurt mentions on his website as well.

Michael & Sharon
 
Michael, How much time will you have to spend in the Bahamas? Are you wanting to fish, snorkel, dive or do you want to cruise the Islands?
A first time trip to Bimini would bring good fishing and very clear waters to snorkel and dive.
A first time trip to Freeport would bring stuff to do on land, gamble, music and entertainment at port Lucaya, mopeds to west end as well as nice turquoise water.
IMO, these are the easiest trips for first timers. (50/60 miles). Of course you have to follow all the precautions mentioned above.
Whatever you do, have a great time.
 
Jmas,

we are not much on snorkeling or diving, but do like to fish, and absolutely love the crystal clear waters. Freeport sounds ok and Sharon LOVES to play the slots, but cruising the islands (to me) sounds great. I am sure the fishing is probably good just about anywhere.

Our trip would probably be about 6 days from the Florida cost and back. (barring incliment weather)I still hold a full time job otherwise would not be afraid to make it a full 2 weeks or more.

We are all for any suggestions, and experiences that other forum members have had.

Thanks,
Michael & Sharon
 
Given the amount of time you have, I'd look to do the shortes trip possible. Work with the weather before you leave for your drop point so you have half a chance of getting over there. I think we have all emphasised the notion of letting the weather drive your itinerary instead of trying to force the itinerary. One person I met up here in NY was returning from a stint down there, doing the loop. He said, and I quote, "Every time I tried to hold a schedule I got spanked by the weather". He was in a 45 footer and related they had some very uncomfortable rides.
Plan on being able to extend your vacation when cruising. We always do, and it takes alot of the strain out of the trip that way since you planned ahead for inclement weather. How much you actually get is anyone's guess. :D
 
quote:
Originally posted by mlaymance

Do you have any info on the Motorcat that is in NC that is for sale?
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I know 2 people who have seen it. 1 who sea trialed it. You can find it on Yachtworld. You'd have to consider price and condition. From what I understand she needs some TLC. Stupid things like a yard re-wired her at some point and did a bad job at the breakers. Current owner took out some of the positive flotation for some reason or another.
 
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