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Random Quote: I dont know nothin about fishin but I can lie as good as any fisherman.
sure, if you wait long enough for the right day you can take a surf board across, problem is having the time to wait for the right day to come back. and always the question of why would someone do such a stupid thing.
Stupid maybe. An adventure....definitely. My family has a timeshare for three weeks around Freeport. It's around 50-60 miles from Palm Beach. I've been in 6-8 ft seas and it handled it fine. A beefy bilge, EPIRB, and a floating cooler full of beer and I'm set for anything. With it being an outboard engine I don't have to worry about killing the motor if a few waves break over the side.
I'm thinking the biggest worry in heavy seas is the water breaking over the open bow.
If you take a large wave over the side you may not have to worry about the engine because the whole boat might be upside down. What happens if the engine stalls in 6 ft seas and the waves start coming over the front, top, sides, transom, etc. At least go over with another boat.
__________________ 43' Cabo FB
36' Grady White
27' Contender
Stupid maybe. An adventure....definitely. My family has a timeshare for three weeks around Freeport. It's around 50-60 miles from Palm Beach. I've been in 6-8 ft seas and it handled it fine. A beefy bilge, EPIRB, and a floating cooler full of beer and I'm set for anything. With it being an outboard engine I don't have to worry about killing the motor if a few waves break over the side.
I'm thinking the biggest worry in heavy seas is the water breaking over the open bow.
6 to 8 ft. seas.........i'd like to see that, as long as i wasnt on it!
Stupid maybe. An adventure....definitely. My family has a timeshare for three weeks around Freeport. It's around 50-60 miles from Palm Beach. I've been in 6-8 ft seas and it handled it fine. A beefy bilge, EPIRB, and a floating cooler full of beer and I'm set for anything. With it being an outboard engine I don't have to worry about killing the motor if a few waves break over the side.
I'm thinking the biggest worry in heavy seas is the water breaking over the open bow.
6 to 8 foot seas in a Deck Boat.... Yepper...
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
Actually I see a boat similar to yours at the Grand Bahama yacht club here in Freeport that came over under it's own power. So either you made it over or their is another nut like yourself here now.
actually i see a boat similar to yours at the grand bahama yacht club here in freeport that came over under it's own power. So either you made it over or their is another nut like yourself here now.
Yes just pick your days and make sure you have the range for it. Whatever you think your economy is it will be less. Youll probably be around 2.5 mpg loaded up for the trip. We can back yesterday and im pretty sure any boat that floats would have made it.
__________________ 2008 2530 Parker w/twin 225 Yamis - Sold
2006 38 TE Fountain Triple 275 Verados - Sold
2004 32 Sea Vee Twin 250xs
I made the trip to Bimini in a 19ft twin vee....picked the right day and left at dawn....easy run...had to wait one day for the weather to calm on the way back....don't go if it blows AT ALL from the north...you could run the boat out 5 miles on a nice day, then 10 miles another day, then 20-30 on another day to get your feet wet, (no pun intended)...if you go more that 30, you are half way to Bimini.....
I would normally tell someone that was experienced to watch the weather and go for it in a 24' deck boat with a Epirb and electronics. The crossing to Freeport is a short one. With that being said, I dont think you are the guy to do that if you really think that you have had your boat in 6-8 ft. seas and "it handled it fine". By the way....If you bought a time-share in Freeport you may want to leave the bigger decisions up to someone else.
I'[ve watched people with deck boats struggle at Sebastion Inlet on tide change. I made my first trip last summer to Bimini on a 26' Century CCF with twin yammie 200's.
The weather grabbed us by the kahonies just outside FTL inlet and beat us to death all the way over. They said 5-6 seas and 20 knots--was a nightmare and used 3X more fuel than planned etc etc. and I've been boating for 50+ years on everything from Ski Nautique to 125' 3 masted schooner.
I should have worded the 6-8ft seas a little differently....it beat the chit out of me and was intense as heck, but I was never scared or felt like my life or boat was in danger. It did take some wave tops over the front but I have a good bilge. I was caught in between Key West and Marquesas at a bad time when I hit those seas. I actually really had fun driving the rough seas but my GF was pissed and scared. When you're at the bottom of a wave set and can't see over the next wave it's wild in a boat made for inshore.
I know Freeport sux and that is why I'm going to take the boat over there. The family timeshare is for all over the world and they picked Freeport for some stupid reason for this year. Thus my desire for taking the boat. I have it set up for diving and fishing as well as booze cruising.
I was looking for advice and not for people to call me an idiot and liar. I appreciate the guy who said never go with a north wind. For the rest of you I'll take some pics for ya.
Besides, I've heard of people taking a lot smaller boats over there.
Sorry Jadaway.
I think that you have plenty of boat there to make that crossing if you are comfortable and know what you are doing and it sounds like you do (after you cleared up the 6'-8' Handled Fine). I would have no problem running that boat across on the right day. Probably stick with June and July and pick your day. August is perfect for crossing as long as you are prepared to tie her up, pray and fly home in the event a named storm comes along. Best of luck to you and please post the pics. You should run the Lucayan Waterway if you are looking for an adventure.
going to bahamas on deck boat 
