10 Top Cruising Power Boats Whether you plan to anchor overnight, cruise to a far-off destination, or spend a long weekend exploring the islands, one of these top 10 cruising power boats is sure to fit your needs. Upgrading a Sailboat Head. Gear. Shipwreck on Northern Coast of Bimini. The 2020 Virtual Boat Show. Experience the thrill of a powerboat charter trip on the Bay. Featured Articles . If you had told my wife, Mindy, and me 28 years ago that someday we’d be sailing from Florida to the Bahamas and back in a boat little bigger than a dinghy, we wouldn’t have believed you. The powerboat occupants (DR locals) wanted to board their boat but apparently decided there was not much of value and left them. Fare Thee Well, a St. Pierre dory designed as a trawler, hailed from Kingston, Ontario. It is powered by twin 210 Cummins diesels and Max's at about twelve knots and cruises at about 9 or 10 knots. Reply. The islands are most well-known for commercial cruise ship and resort vacations, but what if you prefer the slower pace of hidden harbors and sleepy seaside settlements? Cruising the Caribbean unlike the Great Loop, has some amazingly surprising and unexpected expenses. What to Look for in a Powerboat. Obviusly if you stay on the hook, use lower fuel burn, do everything yourself,etc., that cost will go down. A 1981 8.5 meter (28') S2 with shoal draft of 3'10". We met a couple in the Abacos aboard a Hunter 26 WB. Many couples sailing and living a-board in the Caribbean are doing so in a most envied lifestyle, and they are doing it on less then $20 a day. This makes it perhaps the ideal trawler for cruising the Bahamas. Our active and passionate readers enjoy powerboating, sailing, cruising, fishing, and water sports on boats both big and small. Aboard a Moorings yacht charter, charterers can experience the Bahamas like never before. It's all about the weather. Boat shows are great places to get up close and personal with a boat you’re considering. If you’re in a powerboat that can do 15-20 knots, you should be able to reach Bimini or West End in just a few hours with only minor adjustments to account for the Gulf Stream current. On a powerboat, it is possible to go to Bimini from Miami in 2 1/2 to 3 Hours. Internal ballast so when (not if) you hit bottom you never have to worry about keel bolts. I’m on several Bahamas cruising groups in Florida and Marathon is a major staging area for crossing to the Bahamas and I have not heard of anyone having a problem with any food they’ve taken. Statistically speaking, the chance of a hurricane hitting the Bahamas during the official hurricane season (June 1st and November 30th) is 1 in 5 chances. Local area scenic cruising around Paradise Island with a beach rendezvous at Rose Island (approx 4 hour outing). A Bahamas boat rental can range from $785 to $2,400/day if you are looking for a motorboat. Aft is a cockpit for hanging out at anchor and watching the world go by. See more of what the Chesapeake Bay has to offer when you book a high-performance cruising yacht, with the option to take the helm yourself*, or with a Cruise Annapolis provided Captain. It’s set up perfectly for couples cruising, with a dinette and galley in the saloon, the helm and an adjacent companion seat set a few steps up in the pilothouse and an offset berth, hanging locker and enclosed head down in the bow. As a full service travel agent, and Bahamas specialist, I was invited to tour the Bahamas with the Bahamas Tourism Board. “Our cruising grounds range from Maine to the southern Bahamas. Island Marine Boat rentals, small power boats (242) 366-0282. These trademark vessels are highly practical and easy to use. I’m not making any guarantees, but simply have not heard of anyone having a problem or even being asked. Listen to the weather forecasters for the colds fronts that will affect South Florida. Safety at Sea: Dragging Anchor. ---- But wait, I'm way ahead of myself - let's go back to last year when planning our Bahamas trip first took place. The day trip to the Exumas was a full day activity. No fridge, very limited water supply, no windvane or fancy power toys. This cruising sailboat has a fine entry to go to weather and a nice reverse transom that gives her a sleek profile. It is currently berthed in Alameda California. "Ideal Draft for Bahamas Cruising" Ideal = 6 inches Perfectly OK = 6 or 7 feet The Bahamas are a very extensive archipeligo. And even a small powerboat doesn't necessarily exclude the Bahamas for a savvy skipper with a prudent weather sense. Bahamas Boating Regulations . Catamaran charters are the most popular way to sail The Bahamas and they can range from $550 to $1,500/day. This is truly a great excursion to add on to your Bahamas vacation! Whether it be a tug, trawler or any other power boat, the annual costs will run about 10% of the value of the boat. Registered User. This catamaran has high speed potential, is easy to sail and very stable. Updated: May 16, 2018 . As Captain Chris, who trained us in the operation of our beefy trawler, said, "Just follow the ICW markers. For example, you can factor in travel insurance both on you and your sailboat. We''re happy to answer questions from anyone planning a trip. The new generation of catamaran yachts is the market leaders in performance and comfort, which makes them the perfect yacht for bareboating in the Bahamas.. Although we traveled mostly among sailboats, an interesting powerboat shared this anchorage with us. The … Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina Cat Island hawks-nest.com (242) 342-7050 28-slip marina with personalized service. The Bahamas have long been a popular destination for travelers of all kinds from all corners of the world. It has toured the Med, crossed the Atlantic and cruised most of the Caribbean and Bahamas. We have a 34-footer with 6''6" draft and have never had any real problem with that. BAHAMAS CRUISE - April 2000. Back in 1986 when we began dating, the most adventurous thing we had done together on the water was sailing on the Hudson River in Wet Feet, my leaky 13-foot wooden dinghy. By Jen Brett. George Town She has all controls led to cockpit and I have single handed her a lot. E-mail [email protected] Next month we start moving the boat back to Canada. Cruising a 42-foot power boat from San Francisco Bay to the Columbia River. People. Sea Horse Boat Rentals Powerboat rentals (242) 367-2513. There are many ways to go cruising and many cruisers out there. For long distance voyagers the wonderful thing about the Caribbean is you can cruise the entire north & south of it while having only two sections (or two nights) where you must cruise through the night. Make sure that the GPS on board is in good working order, so that you can get … I'm the original owner having purchased the boat in 1988 at the New York Boat Show. Are the Bahamas in your winter sailing plans? If you are planning a winter crossing, from November through April, it is best to watch the weather pattern for the cold fronts that push down from Canada on a regular basis. If you’re able to take the boat or one like it out on a sea trial, that’s even better. A trailerable powerboat of some kind would work if one eliminates the 'oceans' part as a requirement. NEW PROVIDENCE. Very well maintained, engines were replaced in 2018 along with new North Sails and parasail. Just say that everything on board is for your own consumption. Experience the rush of adrenaline as you leave Nassau to swim with Exuma pigs, feed wild stingrays, sharks and iguanas… all the while surrounded by some of the most spectacular views in the world on your very own private Exuma island… No matter which type of boat you like the most, one model or another is sure to fit your idea of ideal. A day trip to the Exumas with Powerboat Adventures. And remember, ‘Keep red right when returning to Texas.'" Below we explore the reasons why you should choose a powerboat … Around 160 boats of this type were built. If you are planning to cruise for a few weeks, you’ll need a solid, well-maintained sailing yacht or power boat. And, if you ever do, you just have to head further south where a 10' draft doesn't make any difference :-)) Bill 28-12-2011, 21:07 #13: justlearnin. Here are little tips for using a cold front for crossing the Gulfstream to the Bahamas from Florida: 1. What a welcome surprise that is for a change. WOW! If you are thinking about a sailboat rental, they may start around $300/day plus extras. The MK I had a solid glass construction but the MK II had balsa cored hulls and decks. Currently there is a $150 cruising fee for boats up to 35 feet and $300 for boats longer than 35 feet. You are now entering the world of Powerboat Adventures: Board our high speed powerboats for the most exciting Bahamas trip of your life. I own the best small boat for cruising the Bahamas. How To. You can go to the Bahamas in a conoe if the weather is right. In the Abacos or Biminis we say lots of bots in the 30 foot range. Original 7 hp 1GM Yanmar replaced with a 13 hp 2GM. This Belize 43 is one of the last and most mature boats in this product line. Bahamas) consists of more then 7,000 Islands and Cays that stretch from Florida south to Venezuela. Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. Multiple major passages. The Moorings Crewed and Bareboat (800) 535-7289. CAT ISLAND. Most of them, are surprisingly "cheap". We plan our destinations with seasonal weather in mind, and we stay for as long as we want. Where Teka III draws six feet, this boat's draft was only 18 inches. Beth says. A cruising permit is required for all foreign private, non-commercial, pleasure boats (and occupants) to sail in Bahamian waters. We met a couple from Wisconsin who were cruising the Bahamas in a Hunter 25.5. 1. Otherwise, they had a very good trip with no problems. It’s been a month now and time to take stock. Among the many delights of cruising the shallow waters of Pine Island Sound in southwest Florida is that, even for powerboat beginners, it requires only straightforward eyeball navigation. How To. Largest marina in The Bahamas; 200+ slips for vessels up to 180′ LOA. What is the More Suitable Yacht to Bareboat in the Bahamas? As always, all opinions are my own. We are absolutely loving cruising the Bahamas! I am an experienced skipper and own a 42-foot aft cabin Motor yacht. Whether you want to race to the party or be the party, this type of luxury powerboat is ideal for entertaining, cruising and traveling long distances. Donnie’s Boat Rental Boat rentals (242) 365-4119. Abaco Bahamas Charter, Ltd Bareboat sailboats (800) 626-5690. A couple we’d been told before we came and had really prepared for, others we “knew” but didn’t really take to heart as much as we should have. Even babies must have one. You'll not run out of great places to go just because you draw more than xx feet. Below the waterline, the swept back fin keel provides an entirely modern underbody that came standard with a deep draft or an optional keel centerboard. We''ve enjoyed our Bahamas cruising a lot. More Destinations. Safety at Sea: Managing a Dismasting. However, catamarans tend to be rented on a weekly basis. The average boat size we saw in the Exumas was probably 38'. Latest. It was 7:15 a.m. and we had just pulled up anchor in Nassau Harbor, having spent the night "on the hook" when my wife cried out "Look over there, there's a body floating in the water!" This is NOT a complaint post, just seven things we’ve learned in our first month in the Bahamas. Upon arrival, boaters must visit Bahamas Customs and Immigration at their Port of Entry to obtain this permit. Pinder’s Cottages Deep-sea Fishing and sailboats (242) 367-2207. How To. Star Cruiser I got to know a couple on a neat aluminum 40' sailboat in Boot Key Harbour in the Florida Keys. Read on for info about where to go, what not to miss, and tips from other sailors. Entering Policies . Collision Avoidance System for Sailboats. Albany Resort/Marina New Providence albanybahamas.com (242) 909-7001 Accommodations for vessels up to 300’ LOA. 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