Florida to bimini in a hunter vision 32
- Thread starter coxjam
- Start date
I would have done it in the one I owned for nine years. It had plenty of offshore (but coastal) miles on her when I sold it. It was all within 50 miles of the coast though. Still, our cruising area can also be challenging. There are no features on the boat I would consider vulnerable to that voyage that I recall. Make sure your reefing is properly rigged.
Here's a blog from two young ladies in their early 20's with no previous sailing experience who have done it and more in an old Cal 27.
http://katieandjessieonaboat.com/category/in-the-beginning/
If your boat is sound and you know what you're doing it shouldn't be a problem.
http://katieandjessieonaboat.com/category/in-the-beginning/
If your boat is sound and you know what you're doing it shouldn't be a problem.
Bimini
James ... when are you thinking of going? a 2014 Bahamas trip may be on my agenda too.
James ... when are you thinking of going? a 2014 Bahamas trip may be on my agenda too.
Ron, we don't have it on the books yet but are thinking of the possibilities. We really love our boat and enjoy coastal sailing here in Texas but I haven't been off shore with it. We Vision owners don't really have a Vision Owner blog either which makes finding this kind of information from other Vision owners that much more difficult to get. Instead, advice, opinions, anecdotes etc recieved are not always first hand knowledge from our community.
It's all about the weather window. I've crossed from Miami to Bimini and back (on a commercial powerboat) several times, and all the trips were very pleasant. We fortunately had favorable winds from the south. If you try to cross when the wind is from the north, against the current of the Gulf Stream, conditions quickly get rough, even dangerous.
I'd love to do the trip some day in my C310. By the way, check ahead to find out how the channel into North Bimini is marked, if it is at all. Sometimes there is a red bouy at the entrance, sometimes you have to veer 100' around the bouy. Once there was a stick on the beach of South Bimini. You steered towards it, then turned left and followed the beach to the channel. Good luck, and have fun.
I'd love to do the trip some day in my C310. By the way, check ahead to find out how the channel into North Bimini is marked, if it is at all. Sometimes there is a red bouy at the entrance, sometimes you have to veer 100' around the bouy. Once there was a stick on the beach of South Bimini. You steered towards it, then turned left and followed the beach to the channel. Good luck, and have fun.
The two Brian's are sailing a 340 that direction. Here is their blog
http://www.navigatethesea.com/11-11-13-new-crew/?fullSite=1
http://www.navigatethesea.com/11-11-13-new-crew/?fullSite=1
Yes, it is perfectly doable in a 32' boat. As a matter of fact many a small pocket cruisers around 22'-25' have made the trip. I find that the size of the boat merely dictates the level of comfort as boats large and small have to wait for a favorable weather window. Even though the distance from Miami to Bimini is only 45nm the strong currents of the Gulfstream will require you to zig-zag a course for some 10-12 hours. You will want to make your arrival in daylight to find your entry which means an evening departure. Cannot stress enough that it is all about the weather.
my neighbor assures me that the vision series is great, the winners list for the regatta-al-sol (pensacola-isla mujeres) has a few on the roster. you'll be fine, hit me up if you come through pensacola area on your way by.
Benny, thanks for the reply. will be relocating to FL sometime in the future, Punta Gorda area, but not anytime too soon. Still working but looking forward to not!! Will relocate there with our Hunter Vision which being a shallow draft, should be an excellent choice for the area. Dreaming ahead wanting to sail to Bahamas, wondering if my boat is up for that task.