Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,167
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
While planning our trip to the Keys during winter break, I was surprised to face the fact that all of the Key West downtown marinas are booked solid, that’s 1.5 months away from the trip. I wasn’t asking for a group reservation either, just one boat. This was a good reminder why I like advanced planning for group events and book marinas 4-6 months prior the trip.
We have few snowbirds in FL over this winter, who expressed their interest in making the trip to Bahamas and hopefully some local CSR members would join us as well.
GENERAL APPROACH
As we all know, Bahamas is a tricky place and we have to carefully monitor the weather pattern. Crossing the Gulf Stream presents the biggest challenge and the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially in the winter and early spring. For this reason, I propose to come up with a good plan B. What I mean is, if we’ll have group of boats lined up and all ready for a trip, and due to unfavorable weather conditions we would abandon run to the Bahamas, instead of giving our hopes up and simply staying put (or return back home), we would proceed with a “Plan B” trip in more protected waters.
WHEN
We have to plan our cruise in coordination with our kids school schedule. Latest posted dates in our school district for 2015 spring break falls on the week
from 4/03/15 to 4/12/15.
Hopefully, these dates will work for others, and starting this thread now, will help us coordinate well and make the trip in to unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Proposed plans:
Plan A = Bahamas (Abacos)
Where to stay
As always, we’re flexible and open to any option. We’ll be happy to raft, take mooring or go to marinas, where it makes most sense and is highly recommended. The main idea is that if we’ll have a group of boats, we’ll need to come up with itinerary and book marinas in advance.
Plan B
As we all know, Bahamas is a tricky place and we have to carefully monitor the weather pattern. Crossing the Gulf Stream presents the biggest challenge and the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially in the winter and early spring. For this reason, I propose to come up with a good plan B. What I mean is, if we’ll have group of boats lined up and all ready for a trip, and due to unfavorable weather conditions we would abandon run to the Bahamas, instead of giving our hopes up and simply staying put (or return back home), we would proceed with a “Plan B” trip in more protected waters.
Plan B = Anywhere in FL protected waters. It could be anywhere on the East coast (FTL, Miami, Upper Keys, etc.), or we can even cross over and go to the West coast. As long as we're within a reasonable distance to do it within 7 to 10 days.
Plan B is yet TBD...Check last few pages of the thread to get latest updates.
As we monitor the weather, we should have a cut off point where we (as a group) make the final decision on which plan we'll be executing.
In the meantime, let’s think positive and plan for an unforgettable trip to Bahamas. If anyone is interested, don’t be shy and jump on board.
It's time to start putting some check-marks on your bucket list.
Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations are welcomed.
Let's have the discussion going. Who's in on this?
List of Potential Participants (depending on time availability, itinerary and weather):
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From]
1. "Alex F": Alex and Jelena, Michelle(17), Daniel(10), "Inspiration" 420DB, Ft Lauderdale
2. "Arl798": Andrew and crew TBD, "TBD" 400DB, Key West
3. "shadow9999": Robert and Diane, "TBD" Viking 50VSC, FL West Coast
4. "N/A": Robert's friend crew TBD, "TBD", FL West Coast
5. "COD": Steve and Kris, kids TBD, "Retreat" 500DB, Naples
6. "Odyssey": Randy crew TBD, "Odyssey" 44EB, Delray Beach
VHF Communication:
69 - primary channel to communicate with the group.
16 - is always on. This will be the channel to use in case if we don't get response on 69. Once the communication is established with a vessel we'll ask to switch to 69.
Note: this page will be updated periodically. Please check it once in a while to get latest updates.
We have few snowbirds in FL over this winter, who expressed their interest in making the trip to Bahamas and hopefully some local CSR members would join us as well.
GENERAL APPROACH
As we all know, Bahamas is a tricky place and we have to carefully monitor the weather pattern. Crossing the Gulf Stream presents the biggest challenge and the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially in the winter and early spring. For this reason, I propose to come up with a good plan B. What I mean is, if we’ll have group of boats lined up and all ready for a trip, and due to unfavorable weather conditions we would abandon run to the Bahamas, instead of giving our hopes up and simply staying put (or return back home), we would proceed with a “Plan B” trip in more protected waters.
WHEN
We have to plan our cruise in coordination with our kids school schedule. Latest posted dates in our school district for 2015 spring break falls on the week
from 4/03/15 to 4/12/15.
Hopefully, these dates will work for others, and starting this thread now, will help us coordinate well and make the trip in to unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Proposed plans:
Plan A = Bahamas (Abacos)
Where to stay
As always, we’re flexible and open to any option. We’ll be happy to raft, take mooring or go to marinas, where it makes most sense and is highly recommended. The main idea is that if we’ll have a group of boats, we’ll need to come up with itinerary and book marinas in advance.
Plan B
As we all know, Bahamas is a tricky place and we have to carefully monitor the weather pattern. Crossing the Gulf Stream presents the biggest challenge and the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially in the winter and early spring. For this reason, I propose to come up with a good plan B. What I mean is, if we’ll have group of boats lined up and all ready for a trip, and due to unfavorable weather conditions we would abandon run to the Bahamas, instead of giving our hopes up and simply staying put (or return back home), we would proceed with a “Plan B” trip in more protected waters.
Plan B = Anywhere in FL protected waters. It could be anywhere on the East coast (FTL, Miami, Upper Keys, etc.), or we can even cross over and go to the West coast. As long as we're within a reasonable distance to do it within 7 to 10 days.
Plan B is yet TBD...Check last few pages of the thread to get latest updates.
As we monitor the weather, we should have a cut off point where we (as a group) make the final decision on which plan we'll be executing.
In the meantime, let’s think positive and plan for an unforgettable trip to Bahamas. If anyone is interested, don’t be shy and jump on board.
It's time to start putting some check-marks on your bucket list.
Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations are welcomed.
Let's have the discussion going. Who's in on this?
List of Potential Participants (depending on time availability, itinerary and weather):
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From]
1. "Alex F": Alex and Jelena, Michelle(17), Daniel(10), "Inspiration" 420DB, Ft Lauderdale
2. "Arl798": Andrew and crew TBD, "TBD" 400DB, Key West
3. "shadow9999": Robert and Diane, "TBD" Viking 50VSC, FL West Coast
4. "N/A": Robert's friend crew TBD, "TBD", FL West Coast
5. "COD": Steve and Kris, kids TBD, "Retreat" 500DB, Naples
6. "Odyssey": Randy crew TBD, "Odyssey" 44EB, Delray Beach
VHF Communication:
69 - primary channel to communicate with the group.
16 - is always on. This will be the channel to use in case if we don't get response on 69. Once the communication is established with a vessel we'll ask to switch to 69.
Note: this page will be updated periodically. Please check it once in a while to get latest updates.
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