What did you wish you brought?

[Nomad Willy]

I think some of you need to learn to boil coffee.

That's what they call it (boiled coffee) but you only boil it for a few seconds.
You don't burn the coffee grounds (coarse) by keeping the coffee of the bottom of the pot (keep stirring). You'll need high heat to get it to a boil while you're stirring (keep stirring) and pull it off the stove as soon as it comes to a rollling boil you'll have great coffee. Settle the grounds by slopping the better part of a cup of cold water into the coffee pot just after pulling off the stove. The moment it comes to a boil you immediately pull the pot off the heat and slop the cold watter. Let it set for a few minutes. Pour the coffee off into another container and keep on low heat to drink. Now you know how to make coffee.

 

[Pgitug]

I wish I stayed in the Keys for the two week vacation.

 

[Group9]

I wish I stayed in the Keys for the two week vacation.

Two weeks is really pushing it for a trip to the Bahamas. I did it one time, and we had to take a beating in the Gulf Stream both ways to keep our schedule.

Never again.

 

[BandB]

Two weeks is really pushing it for a trip to the Bahamas. I did it one time, and we had to take a beating in the Gulf Stream both ways to keep our schedule.

Never again.

We'll cross over for a long weekend. Even go to Bimini for just a day or two. Bimini is 50 nm, Port Lucaya is 90 nm, Nassau is 170 nm. Key West is 160 nm to put it into perspective. Our most recent trip over to the Azores primarily was 18 days and was great.

 

[Group9]

We'll cross over for a long weekend. Even go to Bimini for just a day or two. Bimini is 50 nm, Port Lucaya is 90 nm, Nassau is 170 nm. Key West is 160 nm to put it into perspective. Our most recent trip over to the Azores primarily was 18 days and was great.

Bad weather doesn't kill you. Schedules that put you into bad weather kill you.

Short trips to the Bahamas are fine if you have a wait out the weather option available. Most of the people I know who have crossed the stream on days when they knew better, did it to make a schedule.

People doing it without a lot of experience should be aware of that issue.

 

[Donna]

I do not have a schedule. I will make the crossing in good weather even if it means waiting in both directions. If I need to be back for work, I can fly back for a couple of days and then fly back to bring her home.

 

[BandB]

Bad weather doesn't kill you. Schedules that put you into bad weather kill you.

Short trips to the Bahamas are fine if you have a wait out the weather option available. Most of the people I know who have crossed the stream on days when they knew better, did it to make a schedule.

People doing it without a lot of experience should be aware of that issue.

True, but nine out of ten times we've planned, conditions have been fine. Every once in a while we don't go. As to experience, we've made about 18 crossings in the last 5 years.

 

[diver dave]

Big phan of these
Vietnamese coffee is one of my many weaknesses
Trung Nguyen Online: Brewing Coffee with the Vietnamese Phin Filter

Excellent; BUT, does Vietnam know about this? I've been twice in the last two years, and had to bring all my own coffee. I found it there twice; once in a can, and once in the airport.

 

[diver dave]

I made a mistake. I started the crossing at around noon. Rookie mistake at the time .

I've crossed to Bahamas maybe 150x, only once in larger than a 32' power boat. 17, 20, 23, 27, 32 for the power boats.

I haven't found any coorelation on time of day vs sea height. There is the on-shore wind near shore that builds during the day, but off 10 miles I don't think its significant. We stopped full nighttime crossings for a while in the middle of the cuban raft crisis, but feel now that there is no good/bad time (of day) to cross.

 

[Donna]

I've crossed to Bahamas maybe 150x, only once in larger than a 32' power boat. 17, 20, 23, 27, 32 for the power boats.

I haven't found any coorelation on time of day vs sea height. There is the on-shore wind near shore that builds during the day, but off 10 miles I don't think its significant. We stopped full nighttime crossings for a while in the middle of the cuban raft crisis, but feel now that there is no good/bad time (of day) to cross.

Wind starts kicking up as do the swells. So I disagree that time of day doesn't matter.

 

[Simi 60]

Excellent; BUT, does Vietnam know about this? I've been twice in the last two years, and had to bring all my own coffee. I found it there twice; once in a can, and once in the airport.

You are kidding right?
I have never seen a bigger coffee culture than in Vietnam, cafe's everywhere , free wifi and cheap.
Street I lived in had 6 or 7 within 200 metres.

 

[diver dave]

I was 3 hours north of Din Bien. Missed the good stuff[emoji27]

 

[kev_rm]

shelf stable coffee creamer/soy/milk.

dingy fuel filters

propane for grill

as much cash as comfortable to avoid intl credit card fees and local markups

brita or equivalent filters.

supplies for oil change

spare bilge pump and switch

 

[menzies]

Another item - a spare prop for the dinghy. There are a lot of small rocks just off the beaches here.

Listening to the Cruisers Net here - it seems many are wishing they had brought one!

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Regarding the spare prop. With the skills Ms. D possesses I would think she would simply emulate Humphrey Bogart ala "African Queen" by building a fire and forging a NEW prop...

 

[Pgitug]

After reading all of the posts I have reaffirmed in my mind that going to the Bahamas is like camping out at a KOA park.
$300 entry fee
No fresh food
No stocked grocery stores
Limited fuel
No access to marine parts
(Thank God nothing breaks on a boat)
Treacherous crossing with N wind
A menu of can goods in paradise.
No Thanks
I Love The Keys and everything I have come to expect here in America.
It's great for some.
Not for me.

 

[Simi 60]

I have repaired several props over the years with epoxy and hard filler powders.
Chunks out of blades as big as 3/4 of an inch.
I used crushed macadamia shell.

Never lasts forever, but usually get a month or two in the water constantly.

I do have a room filled with ply, glass, resin, fillers, power tools, paints etc etc

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. P. KOA?

'Nuff said...

 

[BandB]

After reading all of the posts I have reaffirmed in my mind that going to the Bahamas is like camping out at a KOA park.
$300 entry fee
No fresh food
No stocked grocery stores
Limited fuel
No access to marine parts
(Thank God nothing breaks on a boat)
Treacherous crossing with N wind
A menu of can goods in paradise.
No Thanks
I Love The Keys and everything I have come to expect here in America.
It's great for some.
Not for me.

Sadly that's all of the Bahamas you've seen here. However, the Bahamas have some of the most incredible resorts with amenities galore, with concierge service that will restock you with anything you need, with fine restaurants.

Our last trip to the Bahamas we sailed, we paddleboarded, we kayaked, we fished, we played tennis and we played golf. We ate excellent fresh fish on our boat and in fine restaurants. We got fine service from some of the finest, nicest and most helpful people.

We started at Atlantis, an incredible resort that remind one of Vegas with so many fine restaurants, a water park, a spa, and then an incredible marine habitat and entertainment as well. Often we'll take a day over to Nassau but didn't on this trip.

Then to Harbour Island, Romora Bay to be specific. An old standby. Tennis courts, poolside service, even room service type delivery to your boat. laundry service if needed and a fitness center.

Next a brief stop at Spanish Wells. Great diving for those who like as is pretty much all of the Bahamas. Golf carts to explore the island. Oh and one thing we love most is exploring all the other hundreds of island nearby all these location either by our main boat or dinghy.

On to the Abaco's and we chose Abaco Beach Resort. Beautiful grounds, tennis courts, volleyball, badminton, even water trampoline. Fishing, diving and snorkeling. Beaches and islands everywhere. We also took a day to drive to the Abaco Resort at Winding Bay. A Scottish style links course for golfers, tennis, a great spa, all while surrounded by such beauty.

From there we were going to Man-o-war but skipped it and went on to Baker's Bay. It's beautiful but it does reflect an issue you are seeing in the Bahamas and that is more islands taken private and not open to the public.

Last stop was Green Turtle Cay Club. Great dining, fishing, diving, and nightlife. Each of these locations also has history. Here it's the Town of New Plymouth, an 18th century town, with the Albert Lowe museum and a display of models of the Abaco sailing vessels which were used as blockade runners.

So, as to your list.

Entry fee, yes.

No fresh food, false.

No stocked groceries, false, although no huge supermarkets except main cities.

Limited fuel, false. Fuel widely available.

No access to marine parts, false. Quite a few yards and most marinas can arrange for anything you need.

Treacherous crossing. What? Come on people. I don't grasp that so many trawler owners consider crossing to the Bahamas treacherous. People cross all the time in small boats, in center consoles, with no problems. 9 out of 10 days, it's easy. On the 10th, you wait a day.

Can goods in paradise, false big time. Fresh seafood surrounds you and other foods are readily available.

I love the Keys, but there's nothing in the Keys that isn't available somewhere in the Bahamas, other than Duval Street. We live in Fort Lauderdale and are closer to the nearest Bahamas than the Keys and not much further from some great areas. Thousands of islands to explore, all a little different. It's what one chooses, from mega-hotel resort to just anchoring away from it all.

There are so many options in the Bahamas. A place for anything.

 

[Insequent]

Ok, sounds like to get the most out of it you dock at resorts that have marinas, most of the time. What is the typical rate/ft, and does that give access to the facilities at the resort?

 

[IntervaleII]

I would also recommend bringing at least 2 spare props for your tender. Almost impossible to find one if you spin yours.

 

[IntervaleII]

As many of you know, I will be leaving for the Bahamas in about 10 days.



What is the one thing you wish you brought? Other than alcohol?

Hi Donna, I would recommend bringing at least 2 extra props for your tender. Almost impossible to get one repaired or replaced if you spin yours.

 

[BandB]

Ok, sounds like to get the most out of it you dock at resorts that have marinas, most of the time. What is the typical rate/ft, and does that give access to the facilities at the resort?

We docked at resorts on this trip but it's not necessary. Plenty of anchoring. Typically the marina rate does give you access to resort facilities just like other guests. What they have to pay extra for, such as golf, you do also. Depending on the location those anchoring and arriving by dinghy may have access to many of the amenities. For instance, most of Atlantis's amenities are available to anyone who gets there by land or sea.

Many docks in the Bahamas are very negotiable depending on time and on the length of stay.

Here are some standard marina prices though, based on one night:

Atlantis $4.00-$4.50
Romora Bay $2.50-$2.75
Spanish Wells $2.00-$2.50
Abaco Beach Resort $2.50-$3.25
Green Turtle $1.50-$1.75

In most areas there are marinas available in the $1.50-$2.00 range. These were among the more expensive marinas. For instance Abaco is $2.50-$3.25 but Harbour View is very nice and it's very close and only $1.40-$1.75. In Nassau, there are marinas half the price of Atlantis.

Key West was mentioned as a comparison. Well, Conch Harbor is $4.25. A and B is $3.50.

In Fort Lauderdale, Bahia Mar is $3.50, as is Pier 66, but Las Olas is around $2.00. You pay a substantial difference based on amenities.

So, the Bahamas are not exceptionally high. You can spend as much or as little money as you wish. There is no other group of so many close islands with such a variety of things to do that I know of. Beautiful water. Swim with the pigs or just float on your own. Dive or just view. 700+ islands to choose from. We'll often cruise to one and anchor, jump in the RIB and explore, walk along the beach, swim, then go three miles to another island.

 

[Insequent]

Thanks. I agree, very reasonable rates - competition obviously helps.

Closest we have to that kind of destination is Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. I paid $3/ft there last year, and its quite similar wrt scope and use of amenities. There are a range of other resorts but none with substantial marinas. But the coast is relatively close and has good marinas at regional towns. The book '100 Magic Miles' is standard on board the charter fleet, and a great reference.
https://100magicmiles.com/

Cyclone Debbie made a mess, and it will take some time to fully repair. But much of the region is up and operating again already.

 

[BandB]

Hi Donna, I would recommend bringing at least 2 extra props for your tender. Almost impossible to get one repaired or replaced if you spin yours.

Wow. Do you run your tender aground that often?

I'm sure the tender depends on what age and brand of motors, but there are prop shops all throughout the Bahamas. Prop Shop in Marsh Harbour, Frank and Jimmie's has a Nassau location, There's another in Marsh Harbour but I can't remember the name, but they're all located in the large boatyard there. Bradford Marine has a location in Freeport. Every major location in the Bahamas has boatyards.

 

[Simi 60]

Someone needs polarised glasses and a cheap sounder in their dinghy.
Far cheaper than multiple spare props.

 

[IntervaleII]

Wow. Do you run your tender aground that often?



I'm sure the tender depends on what age and brand of motors, but there are prop shops all throughout the Bahamas. Prop Shop in Marsh Harbour, Frank and Jimmie's has a Nassau location, There's another in Marsh Harbour but I can't remember the name, but they're all located in the large boatyard there. Bradford Marine has a location in Freeport. Every major location in the Bahamas has boatyards.

Good luck finding one when you need it. How many times have you used on? Doesn't take much to spin a tender prop!
I typically cruise the remote islands south of Georgetown. If you cruise from marina to marina maybe easier to find a suitable repair shop.

 

[Capt.Bill11]

Someone needs polarised glasses and a cheap sounder in their dinghy.
Far cheaper than multiple spare props.

 

[Capt.Bill11]

Good luck finding one when you need it. How many times have you used on? Doesn't take much to spin a tender prop!
I typically cruise the remote islands south of Georgetown. If you cruise from marina to marina maybe easier to find a suitable repair shop.

I think I've had one tender prop spin in the last 30 years. And I had not hit anything. Can't speak to the prior history of the prop.

I can see having one spare. But two is a bit of overkill IMO.

 

[Capt.Bill11]

After reading all of the posts I have reaffirmed in my mind that going to the Bahamas is like camping out at a KOA park.
$300 entry fee
No fresh food
No stocked grocery stores
Limited fuel
No access to marine parts
(Thank God nothing breaks on a boat)
Treacherous crossing with N wind
A menu of can goods in paradise.
No Thanks
I Love The Keys and everything I have come to expect here in America.
It's great for some.
Not for me.

Good. You've found your shallow comfort zone. Enjoy!

As to anyone else reading that post who is thinking about going to the Bahamas, most of what's on that list is false.