What is the Smallest boat to get you safely to Bahamas - The Hull Truth

Brocnizer1 · 10-04-2009, 12:17 PM

I regularly run offshore up to 40 miles on my 20 foot boat, obviously depending on conditions. If its 2-4ft I stay within 15-20 miles.

I've been boating offshore saint augustine for about 10 years now and my engine just died on me so I'm either looking to re-power or buy a new boat.

I started diving 2 years ago and would like to run to the bahamas from S. FL.

What do you feel is a good style of boat to get me there and back safely? Meaning: CC, cuddy, a cat, twin outboard, single diesel, etc

I'm looking to stay under 27 foot for towability.

JupiterEdge · 10-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Smallest? I'd say a solid 18 footer, like the Edgewater, Grady or Boston whaler.. any of them can make a run from S. FL to the bahamas. If you leave out of West Palm, its only about 50 miles to West End.. so you are never further than 25 miles from land. You are already going twice as far out in your 20 footer. If you taking more than 1 other person.. you may want more room for gear/clothes etc.

bradv · 10-04-2009, 07:09 PM

do go comfortably i would say 25 with twins would be a good start. any style of boat would get you there. Deep v because of the chop. But like jupiteredge said 18 will get you there.

triumphrick · 10-04-2009, 07:19 PM

One of the forum members, Jeffnick has run his 18.5 Seaswirl WA over and posted a few pics while there.....

54bullwinkle · 10-04-2009, 07:38 PM

24 feet with twins if you go alone. I know guys go in 20 footers with singles all the time. 20 feet is ok if you go with a buddy boat and pick your days (mostly summer) Going alone is not smart or safe.

Brocnizer1 · 10-04-2009, 07:54 PM

nice!

How do you go through customs? Do you have to do customs on the way back to the USA?

oceanluvr30 · 10-04-2009, 08:43 PM

I ran a 12' Zodiac with a 24HP motor from Bimini to Miami in the early 80's. No hand held radio, no cell phones, no RDF simply a compass, life jacket, thermos of water two warm beers and a Tupperware container of conch salad. One of the best trips i ever made. The epitome of young and stupid.......

Prop Blast · 10-04-2009, 08:44 PM

There are people who've run to the Bahamas from SE FL in flats skiffs. They hit the flats for bonefish over the weekend, enjoy a couple of sunsets, then run home and back to work on Monday.

It's not the size of the boat as much it is the skill of the captain running the boat. How well does he know the sea conditions, how weather affects it, and a long list of other factors.

Be safe...

PB

Cracker · 10-04-2009, 09:24 PM

As others have said, you can do it in anything depending on MANY factors. I would think a 23 footer with twin is a good safe start. SIngle would be ok if you went with a buddy boat on the crossing. Everyone should do it at least once...

bradv · 10-05-2009, 06:40 AM

Customs in Bimini is pretty easy. Theres a concrete government dock you can pull up to and walk over. $150 for boats under 35' i think and 300 for over. If you pull up to any of the marina docks around be ready to pay 20 just for tying up. If you are staying at sands on south bimini you can go to the resort then taxi over to the airport. West end theres the government building right at the dock. checking in back here is way worse than over there because of the location of the homeland security. If you have local boaters option its much easier just a phone call. Ive done it this way the last few times after getting it and its about a 3 minute phone call.

Brocnizer1 · 10-05-2009, 08:53 AM

Thank you all for the very informative responses!

I am a very safe captain and travel offshore very regularly here in Saint Augustine. This year alone we put about 400 hours on the boat.

In my 20 foot, we rarely go out any greater than a 4 foot day, and to be honest even if I go up to a 27ft, I'd still not go more than a 4 foot day.

ljk · 10-05-2009, 03:08 PM

When we went to the Bahamas by boat 3 years ago, Bahamian customs was not the problem. Reporting back in to the US was the real pain! I understand that, since then, the US has made some improvements in its procedures.

Aquaholic101 · 10-05-2009, 08:43 PM

This site may be useful for your first crossing. We are thinking about doing it next summer in our 24 WA

http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/boati...-schedule-2009

halebop · 10-07-2009, 07:27 PM

i ran across in a 24 scout bay boat single f225 from dania beach to great harbor burned 47 gallons of gas took 4 hrs at 32 mph

dawgmode · 10-07-2009, 07:32 PM

i know people who have made the run in an 18 footer on many occasions. once you have good weather you will have no problems.

Brames · 10-08-2009, 08:25 PM

Good info. Say I am on my way to Bimini, how far from say west palm or Jupiter until you get into some Yellowfin or big wahoo?

slickster · 10-08-2009, 11:25 PM

Did the crossing a few years back in a 19ft twin vee...pompano to south bimini...it's all about the weather...ANY blow from the north and you stay put....leave at dawn, check in is easy in bimini...supposed to call a # and report in when coming back to the states....