Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

gofastsandman · #11 09-09-2011, 01:50 PM

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run the boat thoroughly in the months leading up to the trip

Wring it out. Learn your limits. Better to know what you can't handle before you're 35 miles from the nearest land. A shakedown cruise is called that because you are seeing what will shake loose when you need it. Better to fail where SeaTow will come get you and take you back to your trailer.

Go ahead and deliberately run in less than great weather a couple of times to get experience handling under somewhat adverse conditions. I promise you, when you're running before a squall with a 6'-9' swell with 30 kt winds, there is no substitute for knowledge combined with experience.

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... Having something critical fail 100 miles off and there is no substitute for spare parts, tools and the knowledge of how to use'em.

Amen and Amen.

I`ll have tools and spares within reason. One of my biggest fears is having a major failure over there.

What I dont have is wheel time in big seas. Well the water is still warm, and I have my new PLB.

Bimini sounds like fun too. Anyone hear about the progress of the Bimini ferry? That would be awesome if you could bring your rig on a ferry.

Cheers,
GFS