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Check out our South Florida Boating Guide!
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Small Boat to Bimini OK, so you don't have the excess funds to charter or buy that huge yacht for a quick run to Bimini for the weekend. Now worries. Here's how to safely take a small powerboat across the Gulf Stream to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas.
Navigation and Communications Given the space premium, communications and navigation choices should focus on functionality and reliability. Modestly priced GPS / fishfinder units are small, accurate and designed to withstand exposure to the elements. Fixed-mount VHF radio is still the gold standard in marine communications — it is the most effective means to communicate boat to boat. Because VHF is line of site, go with an 8 foot antenna and mount it as high as possible. With prices for handheld GPS and VHF units plummeting, there is simply no excuse not to carry one of each onboard as back-ups to fixed mount units. Don’t forget to purchase an antenna adaptor that allows your handheld VHF to connect to your main antenna for increased range.
406EPIRB - Get One! It goes without saying, if you venture far from land, carry a 406 EPIRB. Starting at roughly $700, they’re not cheap but worth every penny. If cost is a barrier, you can rent one from BoatUS for $40 per week.
A recent development is the emergence of the handheld sat-phone, with prices dropping to less than $500 with reasonable per minute rate plans. Since satphones cannot broadcast a system wide emergency call, they do not take the place of VHF. However, the ability to communicate over long range has obvious safety benefits. I make it a habit on crossings to stop half way and call back to my float plan holder —this way I can give a quick update and let them know everything is going according to plan.
THE "SPEECH"
“The night before the trip we’ll have a pretty good idea of whether we’ll attempt the crossing. The morning of the trip is when we decide whether to leave the dock. And finally, when we’re 10 to 15 miles offshore, that’s when we’ll make the final decision to proceed all the way across the Gulf Stream.”
Summary - It Can Be Done Safely (and Enjoyably) Know when to say no. It sounds simple but can be tough to do in practice, particularly when you’ve spent weeks planning and getting psyched. I would hazard a guess that the majority of bad crossings occur when enthusiasm gets in the way of good judgment. Before every trip my crew is treated to what I call “the speech”. It goes something like this, “The night before the trip we’ll have a pretty good idea of whether we’ll attempt the crossing. The morning of the trip is when we decide whether to leave the dock. And finally, when we’re 10 to 15 miles offshore, that’s when we’ll make the final decision to proceed all the way across the Gulf Stream.” If all goes well, you’ll be in Bimini and fishing by lunch. And remember, NEVER GO SOLO ON A SMALL BOAT!!!
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