Bahamas Bucket Trip

[billyc13]

My Bahamas "Bucket Solo Trip" was a great success!! I trailed my 79 ODay 23 from Buffalo to Miami then sailed to Bimini for a month! Thank you all for your advice and comments for the last year. I couldn't have done it without you.
I met so many cool people and had an excellent adventure.
Thanks to Shirley in Bimini for the good fish dinners for only $6.00 (yes six)every night. I caught many monster fish while there but released them all.
Also an appreciative Thanks to Cat Cay Marina for their hospitality when the winds wouldn't allow me to anchor out.
My next bucket trip is to Beaufort,NC
in Spring 11. I hope to enjoy a summer of sailing in Buffalo NY.
What is on your Bucket List? Any advice about Beaufort sailing would be appreciated. Thanks, Billy C.

 

[sailingdog]

Excellent, and well done... any photos??

 

[RECESS]

Could you do me a favor? List all your expenses from the time you got to Miami, your crossing and to the time you returned to Miami. And where did you leave your trailer and tow vehicle? Your trip to Bimini is on my list but I would love to see a real expense list.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dave, even if he could and/or would, one would need to factor in whether his tastes and spending habits, including food, type, amount, entertainment, are anywhere near yours. That's why "What does it cost to cruise?" questions have such varied answers, even in similar sized or even identical boats.

 

[MrUnix]

Didn't happen unless there are photos

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Ed Schenck]

About Beaufort, NC, one of my favorite places. There is a boat ramp that I know about but I don't think you would want to leave a trailer there. And sailing there is ocean sailing in and out of a fast moving inlet. Or you can go north up the ICW and into the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound, much better waters for a 23-footer.

You might be better served to launch at Oriental. Sail the river and the sound, lots of places to visit, all the way up to New Bern or lots of places the other way. Go down the ICW to visit Beaufort for a night or two. I have always wanted to tie up behind the Sanitary Fish Market in Morehead City. Great scallops!

 

[Ross]

Thank god for the internet or else I would be hopelessly left behind. How many of the rest of us know about a bucket list or things to do before you kick the bucket.

 

[RECESS]

I just know it from that movie I never watched.

 

[RAD]

ix:

You did take some pictures?

 

[RonRelyea]

Bucket List

Billy ...

Bahamas are on my list too ... would love to see some pix of your trip!!!!

 

[Ron20324]

Here is a blog of a couple just now back in the Chesapeake Bay after wintering over in the Keys and Bahamas: http://sheetmusic323.blogspot.com/

 

[billyc13]

Hey Recess, I launched from Dinner Key 10$. I left my Jeep & trailer at 1st Choice Storage on N. Waterway Drive(5 miles away) for 1 month 150$. I was told there was storage closer on Rt. 1 but didn't investigate. Also this price is very negotiable but I didn't quibble. I moored a few nights at Dinner Key for 20$/nt. You can anchor just north of their mooring field. I liked using their showers and laundry. The night before you depart it is much better to anchor at Bill Baggs Park on Key Biscayne. There is great protection and good holding in the harbor there plus a very good moderate priced restaurant there.
When you first spot Bimini hold your course. The current of the Stream is very close to shore (1/2 mile). Head towards the Bimini Sands Condos on S. Bimini. They put up channel markers while I was there.
Upon arrival in Bimini theCustoms and Immigration are at a crumbling concrete wharf. Anchor in harbor or pull into a marina. 150$ for 6 mos. cruising. Fishing license included.
Like I said' I ate at Shirley's and other side of the road(King's Highway)restaurants. Although beer at the harborside restaurant (bright blue siding) was 2 for 5$...Kalik or Corona. The grocery store, Roberts was well stocked and very, very reasonably priced.
I could have easily ate off the sea aboard my boat but the price was great and people all are super friendly. I had breakfast and lunch aboard.
I rented a golf cart and traveled all over S. Bimini for 20$. There is a 2$ ferry charge to cross from N. to S. Bimini.
I traveled south to Gun Cay- Honeymoon harbor is awesome. I couldn't hold anchor and went to Cat Cay Marina for 75$/nt. (seventy five!) There was absolutely no one there...okay 1 or 2 other boats. Honeymonn Harbor had a few boats.
The store at Cat Cay was well provisioned and had moderate prices. They had fresh brewed Dunkin' Donuts coffee which was goooood after drinking instant for most of my trip.
I know Floridians make this trip often and I am envious, but for a fairly new sailor this was a memorable trip that I think about every day. Billy C.

 

[billyc13]

Why the pessimism?

 

[Scott B]

Billy, sounds like you had a good trip. It's certainly one of the things on my bucket list as well. I think everyone is looking for pics because we enjoy seeing the regions we are unable to get to... especially warm sunny beaches

Ross, you should rent the dvd, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson were great.

 

[seadaddler]

On my List

Sounds to me you from Buffalo did a fantastic job making that trip and the size boat you are to me a pretty good sailor and congra's on a super trip.
A friend that helped me sail my H-36 from NY to Ft Pierce just called to invite me on the 40 sailboat he borth in Florida to a trip to the Bahama's for a few weeks before sailing her up to NY,I can't wait to make the trip and than I will make the trip with my H-36 from Punta Gorda.
Nick