Abacos Bahama Charter Questions

[breweraz]

We are sertting up a 2 week, bareboat, charter out of Abaco Bahamas.

There will 4 adults My resume has preapproved for anything under 50 ft with Moorings and Sunsail.

I have a few questions:

1. Recomendations as to who to charter with. The two big companies seems to be Moorings and Sunsial which I now understand are the owned by the same parent. Any other I should consider with confidence.

2. Monohull or Cat? - I have extensive monohull experience but no crusining Cat experience, both companies say no problem. We do like the creature comforts of a larger boat full size berths, ensuite heads, AC, etc. We are planning mid summer charter proably around the Bahama independence day parties.

Along the same lines any specific boat reomendations

3. Pay for full, half, partial or just do self provisioning?

4. Any speical must see/do/eat at restaurants or great cove recomendations.

Thanks

Tim and Rhonda

 

[Honeyman]

Skinny water all around so I'd consider the cats. Main thing I can advise about provisioning is that each person can bring in $100 worth of meat which is VERY expensive. A chicken can cost $12-14 in the islands!!! If you want to cook for yourselves and eat meat, use a softsided cooler as your carry-on bag and fill it with FROZEN bacon, brkfst. sausage, steaks, chicken breasts, lunch meats, "chub" of ground beef, etc. You really need to carry it on, as coolers packed with food and checked, very often never make it to their destination. Have a SEPARATE RECEIPT for every $100 worth for customs. They may or may not check, but if they do, you need separate receipts.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I've chartered twice out of Abaco and loved both trips. A great place to cruise. I used CSY when they were there, but think they have since folded up their tent. Since I have no multi-hull experience, I always chartered monohulls in the 32-36 ft range and had no problems with depth. However, you really have to pay attention to where the coral heads are and carefully navigate the channels into and out of some of the keys (i.e. Man 'O War, Hopetown, Green Turtle, etc.). We always planned on getting the hook set by 4 PM as once the sun starts to set, seeing the coral heads becomes much harder. Since we don't like travelling with frozen food, we always did a partial provisioning plan as we ate at local restaurants about half the time. Yet other friends who have chartered there did carry their own frozen meats as indicated in Honeyman's post and that worked well for them. In my last charter there, I preprogrammed my own GPS with various waypoints before I left home. I love that area as the wind always blows 10-20 kts from the same direction and the water is clear as a bell..... Have a great time!

 

[Steve Kamp]

If you go with Moorings/Sunsail from Marsh Harbour, provisioning the boat is relatively easy. There is a large grocery store (Solomons) with a large variety of US goods and prices are only slightly higher than in Florida. Biggest reason for the price hike is duty, followed by distribution cost. Everything comes in first to Nassau and then is redistributed. The store is located a couple of blocks off the waterfront, maybe five blocks to the Moorings/Sunsail operation. Another store, Maxwell's, burned to the ground last spring, and may or may not have been rebuilt. Should you provision in the Cays, look for exorbitant pricing and limited variety. The fresh baked bread is, however, very good.
You will not run out of resturant/bar facilities in MH, and the Family Cays will not disappoint you for entertainment either. Monitor the "cruiser's net on VHF 68 each morning at 8:00 A.M. for news,weather, and activities.
Favorite anchorages include Baker's Bay on Great Guana Cay, Tahitti Beach at the south end of Elbow Cay, in the lee of Linyard Cay tucked up near the cave at the northern "hook", Black Sound (on a mooring) at Green Turtle Cay, and Hope Town (on a mooring).
Don't overplan your itinerary and have a good time.
Steve

 

[breweraz]

Thank you for the replys and information.

We have booked for early July for a 10 day charter.

Now all that is left is the anticipation and planning.

Thanks

Tim