US RIBbers: Has Anybody Done Ft Lauderdale FL to Bimini to N. Andros to Nassau Yet?

[Crapgame]

One of my Bucketlist is to sail from FL to Bahamas. Pikey Dave's Pirates of the UK: At World's End thread, well lets just say the Good Idea Fairy GIF put an idea in my head:
Given a large enough RIB platform (min 7m) with two engines (2 is 1; 1 is None), with the trip broken up into shorter legs (4hrs or less, about the max my back could endure even in shock dampened seating), would a multiple day trip from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini (see the Bimini Road, top off fuel), to North Andro (beware the West and North shoals/reefs), top off fuel, beach camp with hammock/tarp vicinity Morgan's Bluff or Nicholls Town, then across to Nassau. Given a properly surveyed craft, kitted out with appropriate survival systems and individual survival equipment (exposure suit, EPIRB, SatCom [for emergencies and for passing on progress to responsible person on mainland in case of incident])
Seasonal weather/tides/winds/sea state obviously are planning considerations.

Putt around Yacht Row at the Atlantis in a badass 30' RIB (Glass Boats, Iron Men). Remain overnite or two to partake of the food and Up Spirits, then retrace trip back, being prepared to be boarded by USCG due to type of craft used/appearance/short itinerary.

[islandflyer]

I don't see why not! We travel around in our 9m almost every day through the Exumas.

None of those runs you mentioned should be more than 2 hours. Summer would be the best time time to do it, just watch the squalls.

[islandflyer]

Put a radar reflector on to make sure the USCG sees you!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Crapgame

.............Given a large enough RIB platform (min 7m) with two engines (2 is 1; 1 is None), with the trip broken up into shorter legs (4hrs or less, about the max my back could endure even in shock dampened seating)............(exposure suit, EPIRB, SatCom [for emergencies and for passing on progress to responsible person on mainland in case of incident])

.

Pah! Our ancestors used to row across the North Sea in winter wearing just hair shirts & horned helmets. Then they'd rape, pillage & burn the locals just to let off a bit of steam........👍


Sh1t happens

[Crapgame]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Pah! Our ancestors used to row across the North Sea in winter wearing just hair shirts & horned helmets. Then they'd rape, pillage & burn the locals just to let off a bit of steam........👍

Sh1t happens

They also grew long beards and ate Surstromming.....

I hate itchy chin whiskers more than 5mm and, well, I don't want to within the same grid square as an opened can of Surstromming.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Then they'd rape, pillage & burn the locals just to let off a bit of steam........��

Reavers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoXjUl5usKI

[willk]

Originally Posted by Crapgame

Putt around Yacht Row at the Atlantis in a badass 30' RIB (Glass Boats, Iron Men). Remain overnite or two to partake of the food and Up Spirits, then retrace trip back, being prepared to be boarded by USCG due to type of craft used/appearance/short itinerary.

Hoo-yeah! Sounds familiar.

Boarded? NEVER!

http://www.rib.net/forum/f16/interna...les-72315.html

[VanillaIceCream]

Yes!
Florida to Bahamas is a trip we are planning in the next few years. We will do a practice run next year from LA to Catalina Island. My wife is from Miami so next time we go to visit the boat is going too.

There are lots of youtube videos of small craft traveling from Florida to the Bahamas. If you watch the weather it looks fine.

[Crapgame]

Originally Posted by VanillaIceCream

Yes!
Florida to Bahamas is a trip we are planning in the next few years. We will do a practice run next year from LA to Catalina Island. My wife is from Miami so next time we go to visit the boat is going too.

There are lots of youtube videos of small craft traveling from Florida to the Bahamas. If you watch the weather it looks fine.

You're going to execute it with a 4m Zode?

Frickin' waiting on the VA for a back procedure, otherwise looks like I might finally be moved to Ft Walton Beach from Springs by end Sept now.

Gives me 9-10 months to acquire, kit out, shake down and plan my crossing for June-July timeframe to avoid the Gulf Stream and air current confliction rough water during late Winter to Spring.

[VanillaIceCream]

Good luck with the VA, my friend had to wait 7 years for his back surgery with them, 100% disabled before the surgery and in extreme pain.

"You're going to execute it with a 4m Zode?"

Yep. If conditions are right.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by willk

Hoo-yeah! Sounds familiar.

Boarded? NEVER!

http://www.rib.net/forum/f16/interna...les-72315.html

Hell, USCG boarded my boat before I even got it off the trailer. Still in the parking lot (which likely wasn't really legal, but I didn't really mind.). Granted, it was more of a training exercise for a new guy, but still...

jky

[VanillaIceCream]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Hell, USCG boarded my boat before I even got it off the trailer. Still in the parking lot (which likely wasn't really legal, but I didn't really mind.). Granted, it was more of a training exercise for a new guy, but still...

jky

Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary?

I've seen the Auxiliary check boats before launching while still on the trailer.

[VanillaIceCream]

Crapgame - if your back's up to it, come with your boat and run a shake down cruise on Lake Powell this fall with us. From Bullfrog Marina to Wahweap Marina and back. Campout somewhere overnight. About 100 miles each way.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by VanillaIceCream

Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Auxiliary?

USCG. Station Monterey is a hundred yards from the parking lot where I launch. As I recall, weather wasn't great, and fishing was largely closed, so there wasn't a lot of boat traffic. I knew I was in compliance, and they looked like they really wanted to get the new guy up to speed, so I didn't complain. They were nice enough about it (actually, they always are around here.)

jky