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Check out our South Florida Boating Guide!
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Bimini, Bahamas Weekend OK, so you don't have the excess funds to charter or buy that huge yacht for a quick run to Bimini for a weekend Bahamas vacation. No worries. Here's how to safely take a small powerboat across the Gulf Stream to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas.
A 17-foot Boat To Bimini? In the Bahamas?!! “What, are you crazy?” That’s the usual response when I tell folks I run a 17-foot boat to the Bimini in the Bahamas. This reaction is understandable of course, given the 50 miles of open ocean that lie between Florida and the historic Bahamian island, not to mention conventional wisdom that holds 22 to 25 foot as the smallest boat suitable for such a trip. But as with any rule, there are exceptions...
13 foot whalers, pontoon boats and in one case, a 10-foot homebuilt sailboat have made the trip.
During certain times of the year the seas between Florida and the Bahamas become glass calm, sometimes for days on end. This has prompted screwballs to head over to the islands in all sorts of contraptions — 13 foot whalers, pontoon boats and in one case, a 10-foot homebuilt sailboat. Obviously these trips fall into the category of stunts and I certainly wouldn’t advocate them to anyone. But hey, it's ONE way to get to the Bahamas...
(FYI, here is the old site we originally did for Bimini - ok, ok, it needs updating...)
Oooooooooh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea....
Boat Length Is Only Part of the Safety Equation However, when it comes to safety, boat length is just one factor in the equation of a Bahamas run. Experience, weather, mechanical condition, preparation and planning all play a part. The reality is that boats in the 18 to 22 foot range have been safely making the trip to Bimini in the Bahamas for years. The key is to manage the other factors since you won’t have size or displacement on your side.
The Editor's 17-foot boat in Bimini Harbor
First let’s state the obvious. A trip to the islands of the Bahamas requires a rugged boat, one designed to handle the pounding of the ocean. It must have adequate range and be in good working order. Common sense dictates you travel as part of a larger group or with a buddy boat going to the Bahamas. Going solo is not an option in this size range. Always file a float plan and make sure to confirm arrival and departure with your float plan holder.
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