Bahamas - What am i missing?

[DDW]

And the MAIN POINT to me that you are, probably purposely, excluding, is that we can do this very comfortably 12 months of the year. How does that work in the "Puget Sound to Alaska area?"

It is great that you are proud of your cruising area, but please don't be silly in your comparison to the SE Coast!

I don't know what you mean by "your cruising area". Having cruised the nearly length of both coasts (and parts of the Caribbean as far south as Grenada), I don't say this without having experienced it. I did say it was MY preference, and may not be others.

The west coast can be cruised 12 months just as readily as the east coast. Please remember that the 'west coast' cruising area runs from say Puerto Vallarta to Juneau. In fact in any comparison of weather, the west coast wins at every latitude in my opinion. I'm not trying to sell the west coast, just offering another view to the one characterizing west coast cruising with examples of San Diego and Catalina. That is a very tiny part of the experience.

 

[BandB]

I don't know what you mean by "your cruising area". Having cruised the nearly length of both coasts (and parts of the Caribbean as far south as Grenada), I don't say this without having experienced it. I did say it was MY preference, and may not be others.

The west coast can be cruised 12 months just as readily as the east coast. Please remember that the 'west coast' cruising area runs from say Puerto Vallarta to Juneau. In fact in any comparison of weather, the west coast wins at every latitude in my opinion. I'm not trying to sell the west coast, just offering another view to the one characterizing west coast cruising with examples of San Diego and Catalina. That is a very tiny part of the experience.

Wifey B: Just like the East Coast you have to look at each section separately. Earlier I spoke of the California coast. I loved cruising it but it's not a great cruising area. On the other hand, we loved the big cities on the California Coast. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are incredible cities to visit. To match them in magnitude on the East Coast you'd have to go to New England. The coast of Washington and Oregon is less than ideal cruising as by comparison on the East Coast you can run safely to the ICW if conditions warrant. Now, from there north, pretty amazing. Puget Sound, the inside run, Islands, Cities (Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria each have something to offer). Then Alaska. Still an experience different than anywhere else in the US or near. From the water to nature to the wildlife to the glaciers. We went further north than most go but still you can go to Seward or even to Anchorage and look on a map and see that you've just barely touched Alaska.

West coast of Mexico is very nice cruising area and we loved it but then if you're counting it just toss in Central America too and Costa Rica and Panama.

If you're going to count Alaska in comparisons though, you have to include at least Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and by then just toss in the Great Lakes. If you're going to count Mexico on the west coast then toss in the Eastern Caribbean on the East Coast.

Thing is there's more cruising in either area than most ever do. We've been up and down the east coast many times and still don't feel we've done justice to the Chesapeake or the Delaware. Our one trip to Alaska, the most we could work in was 11 incredible destinations there, but that leaves hundreds to go. We only took the Columbia River a lock or so east of Portland, just touching it. That's like the loop where we've not yet taken the Ohio River all the way to Pittsburgh.

The greatest thing is that whichever coast you prefer, you'll never run out of cruising opportunities. Towns you've missed before and places you need to see again. There are people who live in the San Francisco and Delta area and truly haven't experienced everything that area offers just as those who live in Baltimore and perhaps have seen 10% of what the Chesapeake offers.

We do want to cruise Europe and the Med and no idea when we'll make it but the desire is not for a lack of things to see on our home continent.

 

[Gordon J]

We will be thete

Wifey B: Hope Town today.

Hopetown, that is, on Friday night for the song writers fest

 

[BandB]

Hopetown, that is, on Friday night for the song writers fest

Wifey B: Hate that our timing has us missing that, but on to the next island paradise.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

Can't wait - we will be there soon.

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: We think of Bimini just like Miami or West Palm as a great day trip or overnight. Go over and golf cart the island, enjoy the casino, eat. We think of Atlantis as a great place to take extended family for a long weekend, much like we do Key West. We think of the rest of the Bahamas as great for vacations of 2 weeks to 6 weeks. Much like a trip to the West Coast of FL or up the coast to the Carolinas. Always filled with variety too.

 

[menzies]

We aren't there yet but, will be pullin' out to head that way the day after Christmas...… Woo Hoo, Green Turtle bound! With a few days of fishing at
Walkers on the way.....

Sapelo Son, what brand/model is your boat?

 

[sapelo son]

Ga60

Sapelo Son, what brand/model is your boat?

2000 Grand Alaskan 60: New to us 12 months now. Made several local trips and 8 weeks in the Abacos as "shakedown". Lately been gettin' the survey item's and the 3000 hour engine rec's done. New aftercooler cores, blue printed the turbos, spit polish and shinned up, new Fusion kick-ass sound and she's all ready to go!

"CAOZ"

 

[DDW]

If you're going to count Alaska in comparisons though, you have to include at least Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and by then just toss in the Great Lakes. If you're going to count Mexico on the west coast then toss in the Eastern Caribbean on the East Coast.

I did, as I've cruised all of those areas (except Mexico). But that's a very good summary of both coasts.

 

[caltexflanc]

I have to laugh a bit as we went when we were on the west coast and felt a bit sorry for everyone only having the one primary island to go to.

Huh?
Have you really been to the West Coast of the US and Canada by boat? I mean really?

 

[sapelo son]

On a serious note .........

So this question is for the southeastern boaters, with the Bahamas so close to Florida why don't I hear alot about the islands being "the best place to visit with a boat"?

We continue to discuss and plan our ICW trip (in the future) and watch TV shows about home buying in the Bahamas which shows unbelievable cruising destinations you could spend years exploring. What am I missing regarding the lack of posts on TF related to these islands?

John T.
Helmsman 38E - Maria Elena

N4061,
For us, it's all we've ever know. We always called it our "Budget Bahama Trip". We'd go on our own boat, sleep on the beach and eat what we caught. "No lie" While bullding a business and trying to raise a family, we could never be gone for very long. We would leave SE GA on a Wednesday night after work with our 24' Grady White in tow, drive all night to WPB or FPR, put the boat in the water and cross over to West End or Walkers, usually arriving before customs opened the next morning. Then we'd proceed to dive, fish and explore for few days between Walkers and Spanish. Then haul ass back home to be at work Monday morning. We have been doing that since the late 80's. As our boat's grew to bigger, faster center consoles and especially after Walkers closed, we'd venture on farther around toward Marsh Harbor. We feel in love with Green Turtle and the super nice folks there! And, with all that, we still find places we haven't spent the night or fished.

Y'all don't need to come to the SE USA and not visit the Bahamas, if time and weather allow. The Abacos are very easy for us. Now that we have "Caoz" and time. We plan to leave GTC as soon as the early spring weather settles a bit and start workin' our way south toward Crooked Island. That will be our turn around spot this season...

Order you an "Abaco Crusing Guide" now. You will spend a ton of time reading and researching, whether you ever make it there or not! It's the bible of Northern Bahamas Crusing.

Safe Travels,
Tim

NOT SURE ABOUT LINKS ON THIS FORUM BUT: JIC
White Sound Press

 

[Steve91T]

Currently in St. Petersburg. Going to the keys then the Bahamas. How do the keys compare to the Bahamas?

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. 91. Bahamas vs Keys? It's like a whole different country...

 

[N4061]

Bahamas

N4061,
For us, it's all we've ever know. We always called it our "Budget Bahama Trip". We'd go on our own boat, sleep on the beach and eat what we caught. "No lie" While bullding a business and trying to raise a family, we could never be gone for very long. We would leave SE GA on a Wednesday night after work with our 24' Grady White in tow, drive all night to WPB or FPR, put the boat in the water and cross over to West End or Walkers, usually arriving before customs opened the next morning. Then we'd proceed to dive, fish and explore for few days between Walkers and Spanish. Then haul ass back home to be at work Monday morning. We have been doing that since the late 80's. As our boat's grew to bigger, faster center consoles and especially after Walkers closed, we'd venture on farther around toward Marsh Harbor. We feel in love with Green Turtle and the super nice folks there! And, with all that, we still find places we haven't spent the night or fished.

Y'all don't need to come to the SE USA and not visit the Bahamas, if time and weather allow. The Abacos are very easy for us. Now that we have "Caoz" and time. We plan to leave GTC as soon as the early spring weather settles a bit and start workin' our way south toward Crooked Island. That will be our turn around spot this season...

Order you an "Abaco Crusing Guide" now. You will spend a ton of time reading and researching, whether you ever make it there or not! It's the bible of Northern Bahamas Crusing.

Safe Travels,
Tim

NOT SURE ABOUT LINKS ON THIS FORUM BUT: JIC
White Sound Press

Thanks for this great post, I will purchase the book.

 

[Steve91T]

Greetings,
Mr. 91. Bahamas vs Keys? It's like a whole different country...

Lol. I see what you did there.

 

[menzies]

2000 Grand Alaskan 60: New to us 12 months now. Made several local trips and 8 weeks in the Abacos as "shakedown". Lately been gettin' the survey item's and the 3000 hour engine rec's done. New aftercooler cores, blue printed the turbos, spit polish and shinned up, new Fusion kick-ass sound and she's all ready to go!

"CAOZ"

Thought it looked very familiar, especially the fold down radar arch! We have a 2002 GA 53. Hull number 1.

 

[menzies]

Currently in St. Petersburg. Going to the keys then the Bahamas. How do the keys compare to the Bahamas?

Which part are you going to Steve?

If Bimini, not much difference.

If Abaco, plenty of differences, but still some home comforts.

If Exuma, Eleuthera, Cat, Long, Crooked, Andros, then a whole different experience.

 

[Steve91T]

Which part are you going to Steve?

If Bimini, not much difference.

If Abaco, plenty of differences, but still some home comforts.

If Exuma, Eleuthera, Cat, Long, Crooked, Andros, then a whole different experience.

No clue! Haven’t been to either. Our plan is to leave the boat and commute to and from it for a few months.

 

[menzies]

No clue! Haven’t been to either. Our plan is to leave the boat and commute to and from it for a few months.

Then I would suggest the Abacos for your first trip. If you mean you want to leave your boat over there and fly back and forth then Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay are well served by Bahamas Air and US Airlines.

In my opinion you could not do better than leave your boat at Treasure Cay. Good safe marina and hotel, great bar, and awesome staff.

And BREAKING NEWS. They just signed up to be a MTOA Partner Marina. So if you join MTOA you get 10% off your slip rental!

 

[dirtdoc1]

The South East Coast cruising area does include the area from Walkers Cay to Aruba, including Cuba, Dominican Republic and The Caymans. And that is probably less of a trip that Puget Sound to "Alaska," however you are defining the "Alaska" cruising area.

A fact you may not be aware of, the standard insurance coverage for us who boat in this area and don't want to leave during Hurricane Season is as far south at the T&Cs. Further south is an add on. But in our boats very doable. In fact watch this space over the next few years as we plan to do just that!

Many boaters, mostly sail boats, do that on a constant basis.

And the MAIN POINT to me that you are, probably purposely, excluding, is that we can do this very comfortably 12 months of the year. How does that work in the "Puget Sound to Alaska area?"

It is great that you are proud of your cruising area, but please don't be silly in your comparison to the SE Coast!

lol, Ouch!!

 

[BandB]

Huh?
Have you really been to the West Coast of the US and Canada by boat? I mean really?

Wifey B: Yes...and he was only referring to LA in the one island Catalina reference. I know the islands of the PNW and even a few others south including that can't be visited. I've been from Alaska to Montreal by coast, the Big U+ some. And done the loop. Most of Eastern Caribbean. Jamaica and Cayman in Western Caribbean. Florence cancelled our Bermuda plans so not there yet. And not to South America.

I know you were asking hubby but he's on the phone and we've been the same places.

His original comment that got the responses was a reply to a message about Catalina. Had nothing to do with the PNW or Alaska or anywhere else.

 

[cardude01]

Then I would suggest the Abacos for your first trip. If you mean you want to leave your boat over there and fly back and forth then Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay are well served by Bahamas Air and US Airlines.



In my opinion you could not do better than leave your boat at Treasure Cay. Good safe marina and hotel, great bar, and awesome staff.



And BREAKING NEWS. They just signed up to be a MTOA Partner Marina. So if you join MTOA you get 10% off your slip rental!

I’m having trouble figuring out their monthly rates from the website. I see $640 per month during the winter season from September to February (which seems pretty good), but can’t figure out the monthly rate on the other months.

 

[menzies]

I’m having trouble figuring out their monthly rates from the website. I see $640 per month during the winter season from September to February (which seems pretty good), but can’t figure out the monthly rate on the other months.

On the pdf from their website look straight left from the "$300 Boating Credit."

Basically the bottom half of that pdf are the transient rates (it is not in columns).

If staying for 30 days plus it is 1.75 per foot per day.

 

[cardude01]

On the pdf from their website look straight left from the "$300 Boating Credit."

Basically the bottom half of that pdf are the transient rates (it is not in columns).

If staying for 30 days plus it is 1.75 per foot per day.

$1.75 x 41’ (my boat) x 30 days = $2152.50 per month? That seems a bit steep. Can’t be right.

 

[BandB]

$1.75 x 41’ (my boat) x 30 days = $2152.50 per month? That seems a bit steep. Can’t be right.

Sort of Let's Make a Deal, but go to the right side and see the special from September 1-February 28, 2019 and boats under 60' are $640 per month. Yes, on the left side they show the rates you quoted but no one is paying those for a month. Yes, it's crazy. Always talk to them directly and persuasively. It's like their specials with 60' for $640 and 61' for $1500. Yet, 140' is only $1800. It's winter and right now they need to fill slips. They have the problem of a shortage of docking for larger boats and many empty slips for under 60'.

Their pricing strategy is insane. People look at the quoted prices and say "no" without realizing that they're always negotiable. My guess is that monthly where $1.75 per foot per day is shown never go more than $30 per foot per month, something like 3 weeks, but right now even less. I've not seen them crowded in as long as I can remember. They weren't this summer in the regular slips with the 50' or whatever they are fingers. Now, the end ties were full. And the slips behind the condos, C dock, I think perhaps 3 boats in them. My theory with them is that there's always a special, whether published or not.

 

[cardude01]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[caltexflanc]

Wifey B: Yes...and he was only referring to LA in the one island Catalina reference. I know the islands of the PNW and even a few others south including that can't be visited. I've been from Alaska to Montreal by coast, the Big U+ some. And done the loop. Most of Eastern Caribbean. Jamaica and Cayman in Western Caribbean. Florence cancelled our Bermuda plans so not there yet. And not to South America.

I know you were asking hubby but he's on the phone and we've been the same places.

His original comment that got the responses was a reply to a message about Catalina. Had nothing to do with the PNW or Alaska or anywhere else.

There are a lot more Channel Islands than just Catalina. Great cruising grounds. You can bop on down the coast from Santa Barbara, through the islands thence harbor hop all the way to Ensenada. And back again!

As a reminder here is your post I responded to;" I have to laugh a bit as we went when we were on the west coast and felt a bit sorry for everyone only having the one primary island to go to." No mention of it being LA only, just "west coast" and "everyone".

 

[BandB]

There are a lot more Channel Islands than just Catalina. Great cruising grounds. You can bop on down the coast from Santa Barbara, through the islands thence harbor hop all the way to Ensenada. And back again!

As a reminder here is your post I responded to;" I have to laugh a bit as we went when we were on the west coast and felt a bit sorry for everyone only having the one primary island to go to." No mention of it being LA only, just "west coast" and "everyone".

Wifey B: I know but it was a response to a post on Catalina. I know it wasn't clear but I've clarified it more than once now I believe. I realize there are other islands of various types but it seemed 90+% of the attention was to Catalina. I was just struck by how lucky we are to have the Bahamas. Now, I loved the West Coast. I'm sure I enjoyed LA, SF and SD more than most here would. We packed in all the sites we could. I also enjoyed the PNW and Mexico. Haven't really cruised anywhere I didn't like, just all different.

 

[BrianSmith]

In one sentence...World class fishing, diving, boating and exploring all in the tropics. More specifically, more than 100,000 sq miles of turquoise blue water, approximately 700 islands, 30 of which are inhabited and have places for cruisers to plug yellow umbilicals allowing for a comfortable stay. If that’s not your thing then there remain another 660 plus cays and 2400 dry spots to explore and twice that number which dry out for a few hours near low tide. Additionally the topography also happens to be limestone karst which means lots of blue holes and underwater cave systems offering further exploration opportunities for those so inclined. Bottom line If you ever get a chance to fly over the area and you say to yourself wow I’d like to see that up close on a boat then I think you’ve found the answer.

Yep. What he said!

We just finished 8 months cruising all around the Bahamas, and while we didn't find anywhere we'd want to live (we didn't expect to), the whole place is a visiting boater's paradise! Drop anchor almost anywhere and you're looking at some of the most beautiful water and beaches in the world. Put your snorkel gear on and drop over the side, almost anywhere, and catch lobster, conch, and fish (all in season, of course). You want secluded? No problem. You want busy marinas and "city life" stuff? Yeah... that's a problem. But who wants that? Also, as someone pointed out, you can do it any time of year - although January and February can get a bit chilly in the more Northern islands.

 

[BrianSmith]

$1.75 x 41’ (my boat) x 30 days = $2152.50 per month? That seems a bit steep. Can’t be right.

Last time we were at Lighthouse Marina in Hope Town (Abacos), it was $1.00 / ft / day, and that was the transient rate. Their longer term rates would likely be less.