Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Snookerd]

Here is a checklist for people to grasp the thought that gets put into one of these trips. this came from a forum member on FL Sportsman 5 yrs ago:

[QUOTE]
I am gonna throw my 'list' out there, add to it if I forget anything please.

Mechanical (outboard based since I own outboards)

1) set of plugs for each engine (plug wrench)
2) spare props or hubs with ALL parts needed (cotter pins, washers, etc including wrench for em)
3) 'good' basic tool kit, screwdrivers, pliers, ratchets, electrical tape,etc
4) Hydraulic fluid if you have hydraulic trim tabs
5) Impeller/water pump kit for each engine
6) any and all fuses for engine (my mercs have a blade type fuse on the brain, didn't know it had that till one went POOF) and electronics
7)spare fuel bulb
8) various hose clamps
9) JB WELD (this stuff can be used to fix LOTS of things!)
10) duct tape
11) two-part epoxy (don't know why I carry it but I do)
12) spray can of wd-40, lithium grease, silicon spray
13) 2-cycle oil

SAFETY

1) USCG package (flares[bite the bullet and get the 25mm], jackets, etc)
2) GPS 406Mhz EPIRB (or a buddy boat that has one!)
3) Satellite phone (or a buddy boat that has one!)
4) First aid kit, and NOT the $20.00 Wal-mart stick under the kitchen sink one
5) "ditch bag" of water, food, etc. your other safety stuff should be in here too.
6) VHF ( I have two permanent and a handheld)
7) GPS
8) hand held GPS
9) cruising guide, chart, or similar thing.
10.)Bahamian courtesy flag
11.)yellow quarentine flag

PERSONAL

1) two bathing suits, AND NO BANANA HAMMOCKS!
2) couple t-shirts
3) couple 'columbia' or other lightweight long sleeve shirts
4) two pairs of shorts
5) undies
6) shaving kit stuff (glasses, contacts, saline, toothpaste, razor, etc)
7) Light windbreaker, sometimes it gets cool in the evening or a summer shower breaks out
8) deck shoes, flip flops
9) snorkel gear/ hawaiin sling or pole spear
10) couple large beach towels
11) couple disposable cameras
12) CASH! Nowadays most places take credit cards, but you never know. I usualy carry about 1,500.00 cash but use my card if I can. Factor gas at 3.25 Edited: $6.00 gal. a gallon and figure your fuel burn from there.
13) Passport,
14) couple pens for your crew to assist you in filling out their forms.

FOOD

1) ICE! I usually carry anywhere from 300-500 pounds of ice (depending on YOUR boat size; I have two built-in coolers under my seats that can hold about 200 pounds a piece). My system is that I have a 'main' cooler (an igloo 182) with nothing but ice in it and frozen gallon jugs of water on the bottom for towards the end of the trip, and I do NOT open it during the day. Every morning I transfer ice from the main cooler to my food cooler and drink cooler as needed. Make sure all your stuff is pre-chilled so you don't use your ice to cool it down. I have also found if you have a holding space or cabin that if you put your food cooler in there, it stays out of the heat and requires less ice. The drink cooler (AND ME!) usually consumes the most amount of ice as you are making drinks or reaching into the drink cooler alot.
2) Water, bring plenty. I usually take 3 cases of bottled water and have 2-3 gallon jugs frozen in my 'ice hold.'
3) Fruit Juice -- last year I bought a case of JIMINEX fruits juices for making cocktail and they go with rum like rum and, well, rum and juice! I sometimes find mysefl having a few cocktail throughout the day and using Coke as a mixer gets old.
4) Food, I bring 'snack' stuff for breakfast, breakfast, cereal bars, etc, and lunch meat and snacks for lunch. Dinner I try to cook what I caught that day; good thing about Bootle is they have a restaurant and the prices are decent and they make a mean conch salad.
5) don't forget ziploc baggies, paper plates, paper towels, etc., a good 'kitchen' knife
6) I also bring a couple dozen limes, lemons, Old Bay, etc.
7) case of beer and liter of rum, I buy the rest while I am there

FISHING
1) lotsa terminal gear, swivels, hooks, leader, etc.
2) bait, personal preference. The bottom bite over there is better than trolling most times so I bring 'bottom' bait and for trolling usually just drag plastics
.3) I usually bring 3 4500 Baitrunners, two tld 25's and two tld 30's. Jeesh, I just looked at what I wrote, no wonder I only can hit 50MPH with all that on board! Speaking of that, NO ONE WILL BE WITHOUT A BUDDY BOAT so don't get worried. I think the 'main' group can scoot along at 25-30 knots seas permitting but we have some inboard folks going too, so as long as you can maintain at least 20 knots, you will be among friends and NEVER out of radio contact. I usually set my VHF on dual watch and monitor 16 & a 'crossing' channel so I don't have to hear other boats out fishing whle running over.