Bahamas, island hopping in a small boat?

[hearsejr]

 I was looking through some sailing rags, and was wondering about those uninhabited island with the sugercane plantation ruins left over from the 1880's. anyone been there? where is there one of those monument type trees the everyone leaves their boat name and such as thay pass through located at in the Bahamas?


thanks
  Bill

[Frank]

kinda sounds like Allens/Pensacola cay (used to be 2 seperate islands until a hurricane blew them together)it's ununhabited but has an old abandoned missle sight...only a bit of foundation etc remain ,some old grown over roads and fields ,but the cay is famous for the 'cruisers signing trees'.The north shore is FULL trees with articles signed and dated from cruisers.There is a very protected anchorage on the south end.Don't bother carrying anything over to the north shore to sign and hang up with the others...there is lots of 'stuff'washed up on shore to pic from.Be careful on the trail over ...poison wood trees are worst than poison ivy and there are lots.There are a nice older couple from Florida that were sailers for years and now keep their power boat tucked up a creek there while on holidays.Robert and Emily are institutions in the Abacos and everyone knows-likes-and respects them. They have a lifetime of knowledge cruising the Bahamas. Well worth a few days stop and visit on your way thru !!

[hearsejr]

 poisonwood trees? I gotta check them out. how about snakes, and spiders? anything there deadly? we have a huge supply of black widows here so they don't bother me, but I would be interested if there are some unknowns around there. we started finding Loin fish out here in N.C. but so far I have not seen one nor have I heard of anyone getting in any trouble from them. that was a relitively new find in N.C., so it's not in any of the older fish guides here. anything like out that way?
does Robert and Emily monitor the V.H.F., or would I have to try and call them by phone, or email? I'll try and get up with them while on my way. I'll just need to know how. lol.
  I was planing on taking a piece of wood, to burn my boats name and date on to leave there. not poluting mind ya, lol.
thanks
Bill

[Frank]

If Robert and Emily are there...you'll see their boat 'tucked in' at the creek mouth on the east end of the lil anchorage. Dangers?...Sharks. I never saw a shark until the Bahamas..LOTS.. no big deal..simply use your head..don't spear fish and swim with a fish ya just speared etc. Expect to see dolphins and lots of rays too.

[hearsejr]

kewl, shark don't bother me too much. I'm used to swiming with them. now those dolphins..weeell them critters are sneaky. lol.
I'll search the east end of the lil anchorage. maybe they'll be there.
do I need to get a new fishing permit every 3 months? and what about the cruising permit, do I need need to renew it every 3 months?
thanks
Bill

[Frank]

Ya pay 150$$ for a one year 'cruising permit' at check in. That includes a fishing permit. If ya leave Bahamas in any way...fly-boat-swim.....ya pay again on re entry even if only 2 weeks later. Still cheap in my mind.

[hearsejr]

 Kwel, I'll stay ass long as the funds allow. hopefully it'll be a long time considering that I'll be staying out of the ports and on the hook nearly 90% of the time.  might even pick a dive job up or somthing here and there, to help me with the funds.
I'm sure if all else fails I'll just sail home. lol.  ;D

thanks
BILL

[Pixie Dust]

Guys, that re-entry fee to Bahamas had recently changed.  From what I am reading, you pay 1 entry fee.  If you fly home etc, leave the original cruising permit on the boat and take a copy with you and you will not be hit the second time when you come back in.  This includes boat re-entry too from what I understand. 

I am posting some info below I found. The website is
http://www.explorercharts.com/customs.html

The policy for vessels clearing into the Bahamas as of July 1, 2003 is as follows: A pleasure vessel arriving in the Bahamas shall be subject to a fee of $150 for boats under 35' and $300 for boats over 35'. This cruising permit cost allows for two entries within a 90-day period, a three-month fishing permit and any attendant fees payable to a Customs Officer, as well as any overtime and travel costs required for the attendance of an Immigration Officer, plus the $15 departure tax should you need to fly home. (Bring copy of cruising permit to airport.) Each additional person over four persons will be charged $15. No charge for children under six years old. There should be no overtime, holiday or transportation charges above the fees. Ask for a receipt, get the name of the officer and call Customs (242-326-4401 or 325-6551) or Immigration (242-325-2668) in Nassau if you have any problems. You may want to call Customs before you cross the Gulf Stream into the Bahamas to verify fees. Official reports indicate that further policy changes could take place in June 2004 when the government's new budget year commences.

20th August 2004
Dear Madam

Please be advised that there is one amendment which allows foreign visiting

Pleasure vessels to depart The Bahamas and if there is a return visit within a ninety (90) day period, they would be exempted from payment of the respective One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) or Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) boarding fees. 

There has been no new Customs clearing procedures for yachtsmen when visiting The Bahamas.


Yours truly,
COMPTROLLER OF CUSTOMS
HE/aeb

December 3, 2003

The Bahamas has given due consideration to the concern of the boating community and has decided that the current fees of $150 for boats up to 35 ft. and $300 for boats over 35 ft. shall be valid for two entries during any 90 day period, commencing December 1, 2003 as an interim measure. In the long term, The Bahamas Government is considering an annual fee structure and will continue the dialogue with both the domestic and international boating community to determine how such a policy can best be implemented.

Maxine B. Williamson
Manager, Information Management
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Hope this helps.

[Adam]

I got back from the Bahamas last February, and at that time, it was the same $150/$300 fee structure ($300 for 35' or longer)... but for the cost of just asking, they'll extend your cruising permit for up to 6 months... also, we were told we cold come and go, by plane or on the boat, during that 6 months and the original paperwork was still valid...

I've gotta get back over there soon... I need about 2 weeks just anchored out on the banks with some tunes and a fishing pole....

:)

Adam

[hearsejr]

thanks, I figure I will stay until I get kicked out ..or run out of $$ lol. I was worried about hidden charges. I am hopping that I  can pick up an odd job here and there. maybe a dive gig or a help out in a boat repair job mainly to  keep from getting bored  and leaving earlier then planned. some one emailed and warned me about the chances of getting bored. they said the odd job here and there would help with earning a beer buck and keep me entertained.

Bill

[Pixie Dust]

II've gotta get back over there soon... I need about 2 weeks just anchored out on the banks with some tunes and a fishing pole....

I so hear that!  I think I need more than 2 wks. though and a bottle of wine would be nice.  :)

[starcrest]

living here in south florida...I just wonder ....do we charge Bohemians to come here?ore do they just sneak in illegally like all dem others...

[Rockdoctor]

Sailboat magazine had and interesting article a months ago about the abandoned Spanish Virgin Islands that the military used for practice. There are plans to restore the island in the future, but now some are exploring the island and seeing the old tanks and other equipment left behind. The only warning is to be aware of unexploded ordinance

[hearsejr]

 hay I'd be interested in the info about that Island. it sounds like a cool place to explore.....Plus, I like checking out old tanks and mil. aircraft. lol.
thanks
   Bill

[Rockdoctor]

The island is called Vieques. The eastern side was owned by the US navy. Now it is an EPA project and its pristine beaches and perfect harbor Bahia Salina del Sur will soon be a cruising mecca. The article is in July 2005 Sailing Mag.

[Adam]

Vieques is part of Puerto Rico. It's in the middle of a huge political battle right now. I think we've ceased using it for target practice, but it's a big mess...

[Frank]

Re...Bahamas    I peck this out , sitting at the dockmasters outside bench at Port Lucaya Grand Bahama Isl. After cruising from St.Lucie to Key Biscayne and back to Ft Lauderdale...ole #50 'Revival' made a 84knm/20hr crossing here.Will stay here a few days,then sail to 'West end' for a day or 2, then off exploring the Abacos. The long solo passage here was beautiful ! After dark I experienced illuminated phospherous for the 1st time...kinda like flouresant green sparkles GLOWING in the bow wake with every splash !!  Really nice to see. Then at 130 am I watched a HUGE RED moon rise up due east.I was literally sailing right into it !! BEAUTIFUL !! Nice unwind day here...cleaning up...making final lists before being away from stores/people/internet. Any of you thinking about it...DO IT !!!!!!  If my ole Ariel (1962-25ft6in) and I (49)can do it...so can you.   PS...Sarah..we made it

[s/v Faith]

Outstanding Frank!

  So glad to hear you are 'out there' doing it.  How are the (great) mods you made to the boat working out?

  Please do keep us updated, as you carry on.

Any of you thinking about it...DO IT !!!!!!  If my ole Ariel (1962-25ft6in) and I (49)can do it...so can you.

SailFar! ! ! ![/glow][/i]

[hearsejr]

 good deal, Frank! I'll be there this summer as soon as I get the OK from the doc.
it looks like the SC-22 is able to sail there, and I'm willing to go...so I have a plan brewing! lol.
Bill

[Pixie Dust]

Frank- You keep on keeping on!!  Great inspiration to us.  :)  Can't wait until after Hurricane season when I head out and head that way.  Maybe you will still be over there  ;D.  IF so, have me a rum drink ready and be prepared to tell stories.  :)