Absolute necessities for sailing in the Bahamas?

kloudie1 · Nov 24, 2009

Ohhhhh.. ya gonna need ANOTHER 28 footer for the dogs !
Sorry I am not being constructive here but it is going to get REALLY close ..

Roger Long · Nov 24, 2009

Flo said:
- What are the things that you HAVE to have on the boat and would die if you didn't have them?

For a voyage like this: knowledge and experience.

- How do you clean clothes?

You don't very often.

- Are there any areas in the bahamas that we should avoid?

All of them in this case.

and is it okay to bring a gun?

No.

- Is it going to be hell having two fairly large dogs?

Yes.

- Is it possible to catch enough fish to use for food, or will we have to buy meat on the islands? (I know we'll have to atleast buy rice and other things like it)

No.

any additional advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Buy the boat. Find a place where you can live near it with jobs to support spending a lot of money on upgrades and additional outfitting. Get some lessons. Spend several months reading and researching. Start with short daysails, then overnights, short cruises and work your way up. Think of the Bahamas as being a couple years down the road.

Your scenario is the stuff of shattered dreams. The odds are overwhelming that you'll be disposing of the boat in six months and it will be amazing if you are still together. OTOH, if you do it right, you could eventually sail around the world.

Ed Schenck · Nov 24, 2009

Claude is right, three adults and two large dogs is hyper-claustrophobic in my book. You won't have room on the boat for half the things you need. Water is one pretty important item. Depending upon weather you could be out of sight of land for more than twenty-four hours. Where are the dogs going to do their business? And how will two large animals react to big waves and weather? Dogs gotta' stay home.

seadaddler · Nov 24, 2009

Got To Ask

What's it like with two dogs on a 28 sailboat,which head do they use. Two dogs in my house would be like hell. good luck Nick

Dan Hill · Nov 24, 2009

Lets see, 3 inexperienced people, 2 large and hyper dogs with NOWHERE to do their "business", and blue water sailing on a 28 footer. Not my idea of fun, that's for sure. Forget about what you think you will need. Think about how much it will cost someone, financially and or physically, to undertake a rescue operation when sh$$ happens. And sh$$ does happen.

zeehag · Nov 24, 2009

Flo said:
I'm new to this, so bear with me please!

My boyfriend of 5 years has recently come across a very random thought in his head, to get a sailboat. Right now, he is on his way to Atlanta to sell his dream truck (a Ford Lightning) so that he can fly to Miami and buy a 28' Morgan sailboat. Going along with him are his brother and dog. In about 2 weeks when my semester is over, my dog and I will be joining them in Miami, and we're going to head for the Bahamas. The guy that's selling them the boat is going to let them stay at his house and is going to teach them to sail until I get there. We're all pretty young; my boyfriend is 21, his brother is 25, and I am 20. Our dogs that we're bringing along are both pitbulls, my boyfriend's is a male and 75 lbs and mine is a female and about 50 lbs, both about a year and a half, they are both fixed, and leaving them isn't an option. They're our substitution for kids, so we're very close to them, sleep with them, take them with us everywhere.

Now that you know all about my situation, I have a few questions about what it's like to live on a sailboat:
- What are the things that you HAVE to have on the boat and would die if you didn't have them?
- How do you clean clothes?
- Are there any areas in the bahamas that we should avoid? and is it okay to bring a gun?
- Is it going to be hell having two fairly large dogs?
- Is it possible to catch enough fish to use for food, or will we have to buy meat on the islands? (I know we'll have to atleast buy rice and other things like it)

These are all the questions I can think of right now, but any additional advice would be greatly appreciated!!

noonsite will tell you all you need to know about bringing pets into a british commonwealth country, which bahamas is, and what is needed for the trip other than passports, money, dress not in a bathing suit for checking in--they appreciate decently dressed folks, wear shoes, etc., pets are difficult. i would get a bigger boat unless the 2 pits are gooooooood friends,and all the folks sleeping in one bed... even then it would b a goood idea. 28 ft is tooo small for one person, not to mention all the hoopla going on this adventure-----

wow--get a 40 ft catamaran.....lol...gooood luck.....check out noonsite--is an excellent site for those entering new and different places and nations....and then trying to return to usa and not understanding why their precious fluffy has to be quarantined for 6 months thereafter if not put down by/in the other nation because not having the proper records. ..there are many horror stories about the family pet being removed from home/euthanized/ whatever because of improper records for the animal...check noonsite.com...goooood luck..keep us posted--we are alll intrigued.....

ps --hire a crewed charter in the bahamas without the dogs......then try the other adventure....

WHAT ROGER LONG SAID.......

Sailm8 · Nov 24, 2009

Why not do the Keys first? Practice your new "skills"in protected waters. Sail to Key West and then do the Tortugas. They would be like a mini Bahamas, no water, must be self sufficient and sort of isolated but still in the US if you get into trouble. This could give you all the conditions you might meet in normal conditions but with a safety net of coastal cruising. Think about it. Someone gets pi**ed and wants to leave, drop them off and continue.

zeehag · Nov 24, 2009

goood idea--keys and tortugas first--there are very stringent rules for animals on board brought into british commonwealth nations--some of the islands require you to have written actual letters for approval of the animal into the country--look on noonsite and donot make second judgements--you could lose your pets...seriously and truly.....and ye would not be the first to so do.....have to have PROOF in writing of health record and must be kept in certain dictated manners--look on noonsite..is important to your pets for you to go with knowledge of what is needed for them and how to keep them safe.

Stu Jackson · Nov 24, 2009

Brian & Steph did this a few years ago

and produced a very good long narrative of their trip. Two people on a 25 foot boat.

Anybody know if that's been archived here on this 'site?

Flo, initial response is you're plain crazy because you may be confusing enthusiasm with ability.

It may not take years if you're doing this "full time" but going to the Bahamas with dogs makes little sense, however much you may like the dogs.

Two things: water and power. Water is expensive and a bulletproof electrical system 'cuz without power it's "hard" to start your engine (unless it's an outboard).

Good luck, happy planning, 'cuz that's what you need to start to do.

RAD · Nov 24, 2009

What year is this Morgan 28? seventy's vintage? I'd be a little hesitant about going off shore in a 40 year old boat that I didn't sail and know every thing about that boat for at least a year.
again off shore with loved ones

Bill Roosa · Nov 24, 2009

Agree with all the above and

This could really kill a sailing bug. It is everything you don't know or know to ask that will rear it's head and make what you would think would be a great adventure into an "are we there yet" kind of experience.
You can have just as much fun in FL and not have all the pet and safety issues. Youthful enthusiasm is great but a few more hours sailing together in less stressful (read long time periods) would be a better start.
I'm certainly not saying it can't be done but I'm not sure it would be the best or most enjoyable first big sail.
Good luck and welcome aboard.

capejt · Nov 24, 2009

another 2 cents

While I totally agree with the lack of space issues brought up by others, I have another thing to think about as a possible buzz-kill. What's the quarantine situation in the Bahamas for the dogs?
That many people and a couple dogs requires a much bigger boat. IMO we're talking 35'+, and while I credit your bf with doing his research, when it comes to sailing the MOST important thing you can bring is EXPERIENCE!

Steve Dion · Nov 24, 2009

If you go regardless of the advise, I suggest that you hook up with a flotilla that is making the passage. This is a common way to make the passage. If something goes really bad, you will have someone with a few miles of you to help/rescue your crew.

How about sea sickness? Does anyone know if they are prone to sea sickness. This can be a serious problem.

Most all of the above is true to some stage more/less.

dserrell · Nov 24, 2009

Stu Jackson · Nov 24, 2009

Goin' to the dogs

David's point is well taken: Flo, if you've tried to figure out what the deal with dogs in the Bahamas was and you weren't able to do so, that's a real disappointment, and scary, too.

As someone said about internet info searching recently, all it takes is about 39 seconds of research to find just about anything.

Good idea to learn the boat, the crew and the "space" before you step offshore.

BTW, there have been posts just recently both here and on the C36 Association website about "How do I cross the Gulfstream?"

Questions like that on these boards basically just scare me, because when a subject arises that MANY people have written complete BOOKS about, it indicates to me that the questioner is either too lazy or didn't do their own homework and research.

Good luck, fair winds, enjoy the coastal trip.