Bahamas,,, by people that have been there by boat

Would like to leave Venice La. about mid April. Florida Keys about early May. Maybe cross from there,,, or not. Could go up east coast of Fl. Could even come around and go thru Okee then cross from there, or points south. Your thoughts ???

Great trip with many options. What is the boat?

Go to the Bahamas for sure. So much more to offer than the Keys or any part of Florida. Much prettier, better fishing, better diving, more beaches, nicer people, fewer lawyers and their associated stupidity, much, much less crowded. It's more expensive but worth it.

I crossed at Rodriguez key up from marathon then went to Bimini.

From Venice, two choices: Ft Myers through Okeechobee to Stuart, or south to the Keys then NE in the stream to Bimini or West End. Depends on what you want to see and visit. Once you check in at WE or Bimini, it's wide open. Go where you like, lots of options, lots of islands.

Last spring I went from NC to Key West to Ft Myers, through Okeechobee to Stuart, then down to Palm Beach, then to West End GBI, then to Berry Islands, then to Abaco, then to Daytona. Took a month to do it. Fun. Next year will broaden my travels, but now I have to finish building this house.

Boats a 48 foot sportfisher. Can carry 1000 gallons of fuel and 500 gallons H2O. I have been thru the Okeechobee, but have not been to the Fl. keys. Maybe would like to go that way. then up the east coast awayz. I have been from top to bottom of the ICW,,,except the tip of Fl. and around. I think I would like to see that. Ive been told that its easy to get trapped in the keys, if you like diving and fishing. But I really want to go to the Bahamas for the summer.

Take the scenic route and include the southwest Florida peninsula. Bum around the lower and middle Keys for awhile (and it is easy to get sucked in, watch out) then over to Bimini and environs and launch your Bahamas adventure from there. Invest in the latest Explorer Charts and plan your routes in the meantime.

As you are fishing oriented, THT (The Hull Truth) has a lot of good info for Keys and Bahamas in the archives, as do the Florida Sportsman forums.

I can virtually garr-awn-tee you gonna have yo seff one very large time and that's a fact!

How long are you planning on being gone for?

You've picked a good time of the year to cross to the Bahamas. By early May, northerly winds are pretty much gone. Keep an eye out on the weather for your way back. Afternoon thunderstorms off of the FL coast are starting up.

Checking in at Bimini is easy, although I'd avoid the weekends. Bimini Blue Water Marina (last year) was a $1/foot/night plus water & power and you're walking distance to Customs and Immigrations.

If you have an iPad, I'd suggest Garmin Blue Charts. The app is free and the charts are ~$30. They are right on.

Ski in NC said:

Last spring I went from NC to Key West to Ft Myers, through Okeechobee to Stuart, then down to Palm Beach, then to West End GBI, then to Berry Islands, then to Abaco, then to Daytona. Took a month to do it. Fun. Next year will broaden my travels, but now I have to finish building this house.

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You did all of that in a month from NC?

Besslb said:

You did all of that in a month from NC?

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Fast boat?

Time is not a factor. My wife would probably want to fly back a few times, new grandbaby attraction thing. She would also like to bring our "old" grandaughter, that is 3, back with her to stay awhile. Friends and family will want to visit. I am tentatively planning to stay on the boat all summer.

I would go one way, return another. Probably go via Key West, return Okeechobee. You can spend months, even years in the Bahamas. We've been over about 20 times so far and only touched the surface of all that is there. As to Bimini, you're not really yet in the Bahamas, you're just at the weekend hangout for people from Miami. Don't get me wrong, it's a great short trip from the coast, but it's just the gate to the rest.

If you're going to spend the summer, get ready for the sticker shock for electricity if you want AC and are in a marina. Great Harbor charges 75 cents/KWH.

Great Harbor is probably as good as it gets for good hurricane protection plus it's only $60 for a one-way flight to Nassau and the fishing's good.

The George Town area and some areas in the Abacos also offer reasonable hurricane protection.

Besslb said:

You did all of that in a month from NC?

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No Mast said:

Fast boat?

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Yep, I cheated. Port to port typically ran 18-22kts. Made it from NC to KW in three days offshore.

Avoid the Okee. Go thru the Keys. it is much more plesent and can be quicker.

neworleansrich said:

Avoid the Okee. Go thru the Keys. it is much more plesent and can be quicker.

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I'd do both routes. For at least one time, the Okeechobee is a great experience, especially if you take an extra day inside. Perhaps even some fishing or just time to look at the alligators.

Yep, if he's never done the Okee, see it once.

Ski in NC said:

Yep, if he's never done the Okee, see it once.

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+1

I still enjoy doing the lake, even thought I've lost count of the number of times I've been through.

My wife and I have been thru Okee, loved it. The only part of the east/gulf coast that we havent seen is S.FL. and the keys. Oh, and we havent been north of LongIsland NY.

Dougcole said:

Go to the Bahamas for sure. So much more to offer than the Keys or any part of Florida. Much prettier, better fishing, better diving, more beaches, nicer people, fewer lawyers and their associated stupidity, much, much less crowded. It's more expensive but worth it.

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Dougcole,

Woud you find your 40T safe and comfortable for 4 winter months at a time in the Bahamas?

Where do you go for shelter in a storm?

What conditions are the comfortable operating envelope for that vessel?

If a 20 knot blow kicks up while you are on a cruise far from home do you generally seek a marina for an overnight stay or anchor in sheltered water?

What conditions have you encountered that gave you a gut check in the Mainship 40T?

What are the pros and cons of that vessel for a 4-6 month a year snowbird's liveaboard?

Any mechanical or structural systems that are particularly troublesome or give you pause?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Many Thanks,
Gary

Seahawk05 said:

Dougcole,

Woud you find your 40T safe and comfortable for 4 winter months at a time in the Bahamas?

Where do you go for shelter in a storm?

What conditions are the comfortable operating envelope for that vessel?

If a 20 knot blow kicks up while you are on a cruise far from home do you generally seek a marina for an overnight stay or anchor in sheltered water?

What conditions have you encountered that gave you a gut check in the Mainship 40T?

What are the pros and cons of that vessel for a 4-6 month a year snowbird's liveaboard?

Any mechanical or structural systems that are particularly troublesome or give you pause?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Many Thanks,
Gary

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I have the same questions, I really like that vessel.

adk1 said:

I have the same questions, I really like that vessel.

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It hits the sweet spot for us as window shoppers.

Like the creature comforts, practical layout and apparent ability to cross in decent weather.

Still dreaming, planning and preparing to make it a reality.

"If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall."

"Fast boat?"

Taxes are high in the Islands ,

The fuel bill will be at least 2x stateside .

Wifey B: I love the Bahamas....love love love.

From the Casino and fancy restaurants at Atlantis to the uninhabited island in the Berry Islands to the Exumas. It's endless. We've been about a dozen times over the last 3+ years since it's like in our backyard. I think of it and like a kid just given a bazillion toys for Christmas. You'll never run out of a new place to see there. There are over 700 islands. It will take forever to see all 700. Don't laugh. We want to. All. They're all unique, the vast majority uninhabited. Anchor off it, dinghy to shore, enjoy your own private beach.

Sorry Southern Californians, Catalina is nice and I understand the attraction, but it's just one....we have 700. 700 tops 1! Now the PNW has a few more to explore than you.

Now don't know when we'll get back to the Bahamas and you've made me lust for them. We were there mid March but not long. Just an over and back thing. Maybe early July next for a few days. We need like a month there. Got to plan it for next winter. Maybe December. I need it. I want it.

FF said:

"Fast boat?"

Taxes are high in the Islands ,

The fuel bill will be at least 2x stateside .

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I'm not sure about taxes but fuel and food are expensive. This week diesel was $3.95/gallon and gas was $4.19/gallon at Great Harbour. The mail boat arrived with fresh veggies from Nassau on Wednesday. We paid pretty much double the US price across the board. We also paid $300 for our cruising permit when we arrived.

Yesterday we caught 3 grouper, a 5 lb red snapper and six conch. Being here, Priceless. Even the manatees are friendly.

Seahawk05 said:

It hits the sweet spot for us as window shoppers.



Like the creature comforts, practical layout and apparent ability to cross in decent weather.



Still dreaming, planning and preparing to make it a reality.



"If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall."

Click to expand...

I just sold our 2004 Mainship 400T. It was a single engine w bow and stern thrusters. Good value for the money in my opinion. We spent winters on it as live aboard and spent 2 winters in the Bahamas. The fly bridge is awesome and really expands the live able space. The second stateroom is too small for anything but storage and small children.

Seahawk05 said:

Dougcole,



Woud you find your 40T safe and comfortable for 4 winter months at a time in the Bahamas?



Where do you go for shelter in a storm?



What conditions are the comfortable operating envelope for that vessel?



If a 20 knot blow kicks up while you are on a cruise far from home do you generally seek a marina for an overnight stay or anchor in sheltered water?



What conditions have you encountered that gave you a gut check in the Mainship 40T?



What are the pros and cons of that vessel for a 4-6 month a year snowbird's liveaboard?



Any mechanical or structural systems that are particularly troublesome or give you pause?



Inquiring minds want to know.



Many Thanks,

Gary

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Sorry for the second post. The 400T is comfortable as a live aboard for 4 to 6 months.We stayed on it for 4 months at a time. We spent 2 winters in the Berry Islands where there are many decent anchorages. IMO, It is not a very good boat in a choppy anchorage because of the wave slap noise you get in the forward berth on the hard chine. So we stayed in marinas a lot, including the Bahamas. We had no critical mechanical or structural issues. The gen set is hard to access for maintenance of the cooling system. They also have some paint blistering issues on the window frames and doors. But overall, nothing that should dissuade you from considering this boat for a snowbird get away. We have had the boat out in 3 to 6 foot seas in the Gulf Stream. It did fine although we prefer less than 2'?.
At the end of the day for the price point, you get a boat with decent fit and finish that is less than 12 years old. For a similar price you might get a Defever 44 or a KK42 that is a lot older. But they will be more comfortable live aboards. So like all things boat it's a trade off. If you were going full time, I would steer you away from the Mainship, but for 4 to 6 months, it might just be good enough

Thanks, we are planning to visit Trawlerfest Chesapeake this year to learn more.

Every boat seems to be compromise and suitability hemmed in a budget.