All around the Bahamas and Caribbean with a Sundancer 370?

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wurdz

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Jul 18, 2022
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Hello!

I'm in the market to get a 370. A big step up from my 13' Boston Whaler. ;-)

My goal is to travel south down the ICW and to the bahamas and then all around the bahamas and then back up again.

Me question to all ye' Salty Cappins' is this possible to go all around the Bahamas safely with access to fuel. How far can I get between the Caribbean Islands? Is there no place too far out of reach with a Sundancer 370 in the Caribbean?

Thank you for your input.
 
What year 370? There's a decent difference between models so that's an important technicality. I know nothing about the availability of fuel in the Bahamas, but for planning purposes, my 2013 370 has a 225 gallon capacity. Off the bat, I'll eliminate 10% as reserve so I'm working off of 202 gals. At my average burn of 0.7 MPG it's safe to assume that I can cover 140 miles between fillups if running on plane. Hull speed I can get to 1.1-1.4 mpg but that's freshwater with no current. If I were debating on trips like that frequently I'd be looking at diesels over gasoline
 
I have done this trip a couple of times. My SR 380DA has a useable range of just over 100nm at planing speeds (with 1/3 of total fuel tank capacity in reserve).
Miami to Bimini is 50 miles, then top off tank.
Bimini to Chub Cay and top off (great diving the wall)
Chub Cay to Nassau and top off (or proceed thru to Highbourne Cay)
Nassau to Highbourne Cay and then cruise south (2,000 rpm and enjoy the views) along the Exumas to Georgetown...many of the cays have ethanol free fuel (buy the Bahamas Cruising guide for navigation and fueling tips).

The other one is Lake Worth/West Palm to West End about 75 miles, top off.
Then west end down thru the Abacos. Their infrastructure is not yet 100% restored from the devastating hurricane so it is more of a gamble with fueling.

There are many other Islands and areas to explore, just plan ahead and ask the locals if there is gas at your destination or in route

I was a Staniel Cay in the Exumas and found out from a local fisherman that someone was selling fuel from a non-advertised location and i bought over 100 gallons from him. I just use a Baja Filter-Funnel when filling the tank and I found very little water in the filter, no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funnel-AF15CB-Fuel-Filter/dp/B000SOFLL6/ref=asc_df_B000SOFLL6/?tag=hyprod-
20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312540934012&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7716077667501373010&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015065&hvtargid=pla-338189057186&th=1

If you are really safety conscious, carry a 50 gallon fuel bladder, sometimes I do on longer trips.
https://atlfuelbladders.com/50-gallon-200-liter-atl-petro-flex-fuel-bladder-p-n-105410/
 
stg099 said:
What year 370? There's a decent difference between models so that's an important technicality. I know nothing about the availability of fuel in the Bahamas, but for planning purposes, my 2013 370 has a 225 gallon capacity. Off the bat, I'll eliminate 10% as reserve so I'm working off of 202 gals. At my average burn of 0.7 MPG it's safe to assume that I can cover 140 miles between fillups if running on plane. Hull speed I can get to 1.1-1.4 mpg but that's freshwater with no current. If I were debating on trips like that frequently I'd be looking at diesels over gasoline
Click to expand...
Be careful with your calculations....you cannot "use" all of your fuel that is specified for the tanks in your boat. Industry standard is that 90% of your fuel tank capacity is "useable" due to fuel pickup location etc. In your case, that leaves you with 202 gallons of "useable" fuel minus your 10% reserve equals 182 gallons or 127 mile range. This leaves you with a 14 gallon reserve or 20 mile range.

For my Bahamas cruising I use 1/3 of total capacity which gives me an 89 gallon reserve.
 
If open water, extended cruising is the priority, I would focus on finding a diesel vessel.
Sea Ray (and other builders) have diesel models in the 35 - 40ft size range. Finding something that fits your destination objectives as well as living space requirements should not be that tough.
As you said, big step up from a 13'er... keep researching so you know what you are getting into.
There is tons of info on various cruising forums related to Bahamas travel and plenty of people that make those voyages in boats of all sizes, so its certainly achievable with the proper planning.
As a reference, my 37 express holds 350 gal of fuel. Good luck with your search.
 
don't think he ever said if he was gas or diesel he was looking at.
The boat can handle the trip if you watch your weather, and make the schedule the LAST consideration when crossing big water.
 
I budget fuel a bit differently than above. I always make sure my budget carries enough fuel to get to the next fuel stop plus 10% minimum. I can't tell you how many times I've pulled in for fuel and they are out. In other words, for example if Chub is out then on to Nassau or up to Great Harbor. Rosies at Grand is notorious for being out of fuel yet when we call ahead of arrival they have plenty. Spanish is hit and miss especially this year but Green Turtle has yet to fail me.

Regardless, the boat you are considering would be a great cruiser for the Bahamas.
 
Green Turtle and Abaco beach resort were both out of gas last week, diesel was fine but gas was reserved for locals only.
 
Maybe A Dancer said:
50 gallon fuel bladder full of GASOLINE?

Where ya gonna put it?

How ya gonna vent it?

GASOLINE ? ? ?

be smart, be safe.

RWS
Click to expand...
Lashed to Foredeck for boat trim

Collapsible bladder tanks have no vapor space so vent is not required, however a pressure relief valve is built in.

Military uses them, built to Mil Spec

https://www.boatingmag.com/fuelbladder/
 
Last edited:
Sheesh - funny how these simple OP questions morph into some esoteric solution - bladders....
The boat in question is perfectly suitable for Bahamas cruising including it's fuel capacity. For those of us that spend quite a bit of time cruising those waters, we are giving our experience on fuel availability and the risks/solutions to make the trip fun and a great experience. As @ocgrant observed gasoline is somewhat less available than is diesel so consequently a diesel powered boat naturally carries less risk in fuel availability. But, again, regardless of the fuel, always have plan B in place. There is little to no aid getting fuel to a boat stranded in those waters or being stuck at an expensive marina awaiting the fuel delivery barge.
 
Boca_Vincent said:
If open water, extended cruising is the priority, I would focus on finding a diesel vessel.
Sea Ray (and other builders) have diesel models in the 35 - 40ft size range. Finding something that fits your destination objectives as well as living space requirements should not be that tough.
As you said, big step up from a 13'er... keep researching so you know what you are getting into.
There is tons of info on various cruising forums related to Bahamas travel and plenty of people that make those voyages in boats of all sizes, so its certainly achievable with the proper planning.
As a reference, my 37 express holds 350 gal of fuel. Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

I believe you mean 250 versus 350 gallons.
 
also....think about your type of cruising....Marina every night or on the hook? I anchor out most of the time so consider lowering your need to run the generator (fuel)....I have switched all lights on boat to LED and I use flexible solar panels that I deploy on top of the rear Bimini top to keep the batteries charged. I run generator about 1 hour in the morning for the coffee maker and to "top off" the batteries from no solar at night.
I also upgraded the old Norcold fridge to Isotherm fridge and Freezer for power efficiency.
Most meals are cooked on the grill (propane)
 
PlayDate said:
I believe you mean 250 versus 350 gallons.
Click to expand...
No, not what I meant.
'00SR370EC.JPG
 
Speaking of fuel......today's price is $6.49 a gallon for gas on the river.:mad:
 
All this and the original poster has never been back to add to his 1 post on CSR.
 
Stee6043 said:
I think this is pretty common, Dancer. You can buy bladders all over the place...
Click to expand...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I honestly had no idea.

All in all, it just doesn't appeal to my idea of boat & crew being SAFE & SECURE.
 
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