sailFar.net

 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

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 !!

 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

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.

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

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.

 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

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.

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

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

Quote from: Adam on January 18, 2006, 12:59:04 PM
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.  :)

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...

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

 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

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.

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...

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

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.

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

[/i]

 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

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.  :)

My plans are looking good to cross to the Bahamas in Early Nov 07 for the season. Talking to people here in Marathon, It would be best to spend the first season in Abacos and not go south in a small boat as the MacGregor 26M and stay away from South Andros.

I was wanting to go down to Gorge Town to stay away from storms and a little warmer.

Any advice for a Male singlehander (still looking for a first mate) first season cruise in the Bahamas?

I have always heard that Hope Town is the hopping place for cruisers.

Ain't never been there...

If you are looking for females, go to a backpacker destination, and post ads in backpacker hotels: Wanted Vegetarian Crew.

This reply coming to you from "ManJack Cay Abacos".....from Allens/Pensacola down to Little Harbour ( Hope Town incl) it RULES !!!!!!!!!!!

IMHO...do NOT buy too much "stuff".A good VHF with a GREAT antenna and you will get forcasts every 8.15 AM on cruisers net on ch. 68..There is wifi in many ereas to pickup Miami weather (noaa) and ' Barometer Bob.com' for the Abacos. As long as you have 'wind direction', you can pick routes/anchorages.Get the cruising guide/chart book..LOTS of info. I use a $99 garmin gps and the explorer chart book exclusively!! Have a plotter but don't use it.Do get THEE BIGGEST/BEST anchor you are comfortable with!!   THEE single most important item you will buy by far !! Next is a good dingy. My new inflateable rows way better than the old one and is much drier in a chop. Nice to get some exercise too. Mask,fins and snorkel a must!!....and if room..a wet suit top to stay out longer. A few disposable underwater cameras and you are in !!. The wind BLOWS here most all winter....expect 15 to 40 knot stuff. I have dble reefing main and a reef in the jib. I honestly did not have the Genny up this year or last BUT was often reefed down!! Don't over spend and just get over here !!! The only big deal is crossing. I've had fron 'flat calm' to 14fters. Be patient and your crossing will be fine. PM me if specific questions.

Quote from: skylark on March 19, 2007, 05:37:48 PM

If you are looking for females, go to a backpacker destination, and post ads in backpacker hotels: Wanted Vegetarian Crew.

Hah! Good one

"Must love cats"

Seriously, there was a guy able to get young female crew a number of times using this method.  There are a lot of backpacker females that want to travel cheap and are looking for adventure.

(Looks around to see if the wife is going to slap him for this post)

Seriously, Latitude 38 has featured a young (30 something) guy with a Columbia 34 cruising the Pacific who has been very successful in finding young women to sail with him.  He is enjoying the cruising life!  ;D

I'd head for the Exumas.  You'll miss more of those US cold fronts that regularly trail thru the Abacos, and you can do much of your travelling along the lee side of the chain.  Georgetown is a great base to sail out of and return to, with many cruisers doing the same.  In fact, some times it gets so much like a small town back home that you gotta get away and explore for a while!

Frank - How much is the mooring buoys in Abaco?

Green turtle= $10 per night  ,  Hope town = $15 per night and up BUT has weekly rates , Little harbour= $15 per night or weekly rate  Marsh Harbour is GREAT holding-no moorings , then there are all the anchorages for free or marinas . Many marinas have a deal where by your slip fee goes as a credit to their resterant OR fuel etc so if you need items or a few resterant meals it becomes free. When Time gets closer I can give you a list of good anchorages etc if you give me a route....have fun planning ;-)

Frank - I will.

I am still questioning weather G-Town or Abaco's. You are from Canada but I have lived in the USA gulf states most of my live and I do not like the cold of the fronts comming through. From my understand, with Abaco's being less than 140 miles from Centeran Florida, that the weather is about the same when the fronts come through. When I was living in Fl this was about every week in the winter with 2 days out of 7 cold and Strong winds in the fronts. About the same there?

The hard to answer question - How "bad" is it to cope? Of course "bad" is a relative term.

George Town is OFTEN discribed as "day care for adults"...honest. It is BUSY,cramped,hectic...BUT if you crave social life there is always something going on. Many parties,organized volleyball,organized 'walk abouts' and events of all kinds.You will meet a ton of people. A great many 'cruisers?' rush there and stay all winter.The thought of crowded anchorages,low islands with little protection from the wind and strong tidal currents that reverse with the tide and fewer natural anchorages all add up to stress in my book. The Abacos is cooler..you are correct.Last year I had 2 rain days,2 strong wind days (40knt +) but all but 2 nights slept with the hatch and companionway open with one blanket.Days were high 70's to low 80's.The rare 'cold' day was closer to 70.The water IS cooler.swimming with no wetsuit is 'refreshing' (remember the Sienfeld episode on shrinkage) but when Judy and I snorkeled with only our wetsuit uppers on we always got out tired not cold. If you have the luxury of time I strongly suggest you cross to the WestEnd and go through the Abacos E and down to Eluthra and the Exumas. Allow 3 weeks (more if possible)to give yourself some explore time in the Abacos before making Little Harbour to head south. Then you can form your own opinions.I met many people last year enroute who prefer the Abacos and only one that preferred the Exumas. Depends on what type of cruising and what activities you enjoy.Bottom line ...do both..you decide :-)

Frank - thanks for the advice. I will have the Luxury of time. Good to here about the weather. I had thought that it was worse having lived on the west coast of Fl for years.

Sounds like you are having way too much fun. Keep it up.

Regards, James M/S Lynx

Nope....I'm back at work now...Jubilee is on the hard at Green Turtle.The 'too much fun' stuff is over for a little while, BUT ...june is a trailorsailor Ottawa river cruise,then a North Channel cruise, then off to Greece for a 'ship' type cruise. :-)..But for now its back to work :-(    I should note that with my 'cruising budget' empty, the Greece cruise is a trip Judy won at work.She asked if I'd like to go....I had to think for .0000000000001 of a second first, then yelled YES.

Quote from: Frank on April 08, 2007, 12:17:08 PM
Nope....I'm back at work now...Jubilee is on the hard at Green Turtle.The 'too much fun' stuff is over for a little while, BUT ...june is a trailorsailor Ottawa river cruise,then a North Channel cruise, then off to Greece for a 'ship' type cruise. :-)..But for now its back to work :-(    I should note that with my 'cruising budget' empty, the Greece cruise is a trip Judy won at work.She asked if I'd like to go....I had to think for .0000000000001 of a second first, then yelled YES.

You had to think to answer that... I'm so disappointed in you.. ;)

Thanks for the advice, I will be keeping the destination open for a while.

Has anybody had additional charges using their credit cards in the Bahamas?

I was supprised on my recent charges from Canada and Amsterdam.

Reviving the thread.  As repairs/upgrades on Wind Dancer progress, I've been thinking about taking a "shakedown cruise" down to the Keys or the Bahamas after hurricane season.

  Then a while ago I was talking to my 73yo mother on the phone; last year she "skipped out" on Christmas and went to Molokai...she intends to do the same this year, but doesn't like traveling alone.  So I suggested, half joking, she ought to come with me to the Bahamas...to my shock she ACCEPTED...yikes! She's actually serious!

FYI my 73yo Mom is is great health AND her right mind (imagine Judge Judy with an Austrian accent and you've got her likeness AND her personality spot on).

So of course it adds a different dimension to "boat upgrades"...making a picky Austrian woman comfortable on a cruise aboard a 27' sailboat?...Yikes again.

If it's up to me, I'd like to stay away from party places and island hop off the beaten path, do some fishing...her idea of fun is give me a quiet beach and an iced drink and go away...lol.  That's as much of a plan as I've got so far.

LOL... be careful what you wish for... Congrats and prepping the boat should be interesting...

The weather history for a crossing is near 100% from 1 Nov till 18 Nov. After than you many not cross until Jan. This year it was too rough for a small boat to cross After Nov 20 through most of the winter season.   

Where to go, Your choice. Make sure that you take your mother out for some 3 day or more trips before you go and check out the passport issues, dinghy etc.

There is a lot of single older men cruising, you may get rid of her soon enough.

We've also enjoyed cruising the Abacos, ending up for a spell in Marsh Harbour for provisioning. But you will have some cold and windy days there in winter. After sailing the Abacos you probably want to go south to Exumas. You may even find crew in Georgetown since there are so many boats going in and out of there and crew sometimes jumps ship if given the chance of finding another boat. Only a one day sail east of there is Cat Island and Conception Island - great places to get away from the crowds. You can anchor up one of the mangrove creeks or Smith Bay on Cat Island when a norther comes through, depending on your draft.

James B

Thanks, my present plan is to spend the season in Abaco's including the West side. Nov through May. Should be a good trip with a boat that needs a foot to float.

   Hello this will be my first real post and i was wondering about bimini, has anyone been there. This november i plan to leave from Merritt Island, Fl to go to the Bahamas, for my first real cruise, I have a shallow shoal keel compac 23, but the ballast on it is 3000 lbs, I sat around worrying if it was to small for cruising but im just gonna do it anyways. Is there some routes that people comanly take or some places really not to be missed, or are there some hazards beyond the normal hystaria i need to know about, perhaps a sea dragon, or a boat eating buzzard. my web site is http://hanuman.weebly.com there are some awful pictures of my boat there, Another question what is the equipment list that i need to have, stuff i really cant get by without. I have a gps thats about it my boat was stipped befor it was sold to me 2 weeks ago for 2,000.

Thank you and i really look forward to hearing so of your reponses.

Welcome aboard.

First, have no fear about the C-23 being "too small."  Numerous Potter 19's have made the trip and our own Frank has sailed over on his Flicka.  I'm sure CapnK will chime in with his own special insight on the 23, but my main point is that I doubt the folks on THIS board will fault you for planning that trip on that boat.   :)

As for Bimini, that seems to be a popular plan.  For example, Connie on Pixie Dust entered the islands via Bimini.  You can read about Connie's exploits here (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=1081.msg10036#msg10036).

So fret not - I believe you will get nothing but encouragement from here on your planned adventure.

Should be no problem as long as you watch the weather, duh. The main thing you want to avoid is the Gulf Stream with a wind from the north. Even after the norther leaves it's very nasty in the stream for awhile. Bimini is a very good starting point. Check out Honeymoon Caye or Cove?, and the stuck concrete carrier that's 1/2 out of the water on the western side of the Bahama banks, Great diving and snorkeling.

 :-\

This is very good news, considering i want my first cruise to have at least a Little open water but not to much, super excited for gunkholing the Bahamas i should be able to get places most people cant with the massive yachts, does anyone know a super viable place to get "current" charts for that area? i know with the hurricanes that new islands are appearing or merging or disappearing so it can be an interesting trip,

Pixie Dust here!  I am currently in the Bahamas on a 27' Com-Pac.  It is rare I have internet, but I have it intermittently tonight, although I am having a difficult time staying on. 
I am having a great time.  Explorer Charts are awesome and right on the money.  GET THESE!!
They have Near Bahamas, Far Bahamas and Exumas& Ragged Islands.  Depending on area of Bahamas you want to explore will determine the chart books you need.  Pick your Bahama Jumping off point based on the area you want to explore.  For example, if you want to explore the Abaco's, go to West End and around from there.  If you want to do Berry's and Exumas, then jump from Bimini.  I cleared Bimini since my original plans were to go to the Berry's first, however, continued high winds changed my plans and I headed up to the Abaco's.  It took 1 long long rough water day to get to West End, then another long day with wonderful conditions to cross the banks and get into Great Sale.  Even from Bimini, you will have another long jump in order to get from Bimini to Chubb Cay in the Berry's.  If the Banks are calm, you can even anchor on them at night if you get tired.   The Berry's are very secluded with little in the way of grocery shopping, restaurants etc.  Even in the Exumas' you will find that to be true as well, however, they are beautiful and you will find these areas to be much less crowded... esp. the Berry's.  I am soooo digging both the Berry's and the Exumas. 
Abaco's are pretty too and lots of fun, but you find a LOT more people there.  Abaco's make it very easy to refuel, provision and keep adequate water and boat parts.   The other areas charge about $.50/gal for water and groceries are unbelievable in cost.   They are out-islands and depend on freight boats to bring everything in.  You can get fuel and water in these areas, you just have to plan carefully with where the locations to obtain are.  Abaco's has easy access to most everything. 
It is all in what you enjoy, but no matter what, it all is good!!! Have Fun!!

Hey Connie-

Good to hear from you.  :D  What are you plans for the winter??

Ted-

Didn't realize Hanuman the monkey god was a sailor's diety.

come on he could move over all the oceans in the world giving safe passage to all who clung to his back!! :-I'm not a devote but i like the name so thus a tiny compac became the hanuman, then its gonna pretend like its a very big boat, but I'm not actually sure thats a good thing? wouldn't want to sail a cruisline or freighter. hmmm maybe hanuman pretends to be 24 feet instead of 23'11, yeah thats better.

I was just remembering that there was a beautiful ComPac 23 on a mooring just inside the entrance at Hope Town, Elbow Cay Bahamas. Looked mighty fine there I must say. With their shallow draft opening up many secluded ereas and all those opening ports...the ComPac 23 is a great bahamas boat. Enjoy !! See ya over there  ;)

Hi, heading over to West End and then to Abaco's some time between Oct 29 and Nov 5. I already have 1 boat with me and another would not be a problem. Departing from Port Everglades Ft Lauderdale Fl.

I have been to Bimini. Crossed in vey flat conditions. Autopilot was real nice.

Shopping list. From all to nothing. Mine is over 500 items but I am overdoing it from toothpicks to fly swatters.

PM me if you want  a copy although I suggest that you make your own.

           you really wouldnt mind anoher boat that would be awsome for me if i had a group to go with for the first leg, especial considering it will be my first "real" crossing,! 8)

Tedsomango - Not a problem. I hope that you realize that this is to West End and not Bimini. You can get the to the Exumas via Abaco's then Nausa or you can just stay in Abaco's for the season. Not much out of the way and a good trip.

Not planing on water speeds over 6 to 7 mph and should be about a 10 hr run to West End.

I agree that it is safer in numbers as I am single handing and things can go wrong, but that is what the adventure is all about if not for a few risk.

Have a good trip guys (and gal)... The compac's are beautiful boats and I'm sure you'll be fine in the 23. I've been hopping along the south shore of lake Ontario in a Bayfield 25, heading down to the Bahamas as well. After all the people I've met with their 30, 40, and 50 foot boats, it's nice to know that there are others out there who are doin g it in small ones! Way to go Tedsomango. Remember - there's always a reason not to go. Sometimes that reason makes sense. almost always it makes more sense to just "do it anyways" as you said! Woooo-hooo! See ya down there!