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.

[Snookerd]

This comment is by far the funniest add-on list to consider:

Don't forget, a sheet of plywood and a saber saw and assorted stainless screws in case of hull breach, for folks with mercs, a spare engine is nice. If you have HPDIs you need 5 sets of plugs. Johnrude owners should bring a spare powerhead. Those of us with 4strokes bring extra food as we will be a day behind. You can see how easy it is to get carried away with what to bring not to mention the expense. I don't have spare props or an epirb(on my list of things to get). I would add fuel filters if you plan on buying lots of gas over there but I change mine before I leave as well as add fuel conditioner. I believe west end and Lucayan gas is fairly fresh since they go thru alot. I don't carry water pumps as it would be next to impossible to change one there. I try to stay as light as possible and really think about what you can and can't do at the dock or underway. Also, I only have so much storage so I find myself constantly moving one thing to get to another. With my luck I can assure you that the one thing I will need will be what I don't bring.

[Old'sCool]

That's either a very old list or the gas should read $3.23/liter

[Snookerd]

Reelescape-Yea exactly 5 yrs ago this coming week [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img].I hear it is $6.00 gal. over there now.

[Old'sCool]

Last May this week I was in Bermuda....gas $2.80/liter....Coronas $7.50 ea.

[Snookerd]

wow

[Fr. Frank]

Upon reaching West End, reviewing the weather is important.

The last trip I made, we went to the Fish Cays and Mt. Hope/Fox Town on NE side of Little Abaco. We had a 12-15kt southeasterly breeze, and decided to go around the north side of Grand Bahama Bank to avoid the chop so many of us are familiar with. It was a very good decision. I was riding in a 20' Wellcraft V20 with a 140 Johnson. We had a 1-2' gentle NE swell with no chop at all for the first 20 miles, run at about 22-25 mph all the way to Water Cay, and then we ran in close in almost flat calm water generally only 6-8' deep at about 32-34 mph the rest of the way to Spanish Cay. We would have had to wear a mouthpiece to protect our teeth if we'd pounded our way along the south side of Grand Bahama Bank. You travel several miles less from West End to Spanish going the northern route, but the only refueling is at Water Cay or all the way to Fox Town, and sometimes they don't have anything. because it's unprotected from the north, though, you need to be sure of the weather. Going to Walkers that way is much shorter.

BTW: The lobster fishing in the Fish Cays is incredible!!!

Moral of the Story: Watch the Weather!!

[eggsuckindog]

IMHO the crossing from WPB to West End is the cake walk, I had 2 try's at Walkers - spun a prop once and they cancelled the other tourny due to weather going across - wait till 9 AM and it gets real flat in the summer. So never have run all the way across but sure would like to, any ideas on what the deal is on where we would stay and how long this endeveor is, I'm not going for a weekend [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Capt Chuck]

If you can watch these upcoming programs

Bahamas Crossing

[Snookerd]

Capt. Chuck- Thanks for the heads-up. That FS Bahamas show is tonight and re-airs in the days following tonight. Great timing