On Thu, 7 Jun 2012 19:12:09 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch wrote:

Been to Bahamas twice. Got my sailboat registered there now cuz
paying 10% of its value was going to be cheaper than trying to get
around their crazy cruising permit law. Been all over the Abacos
enough to be bored enough to move on but tis now hurricane season.
Got back to FL, found my Tolman batteries dead so am now ready to use
it for summer but am about to go to WY for a month. Might get her out
a couple times before i leave and then maybe when I get back.
HOWEVER, for those who want to go to the Abacos, you can ship your
boat (or at least your less'n 20' powerboat on a trailer) there for
about $400 it turns out. Stay on your boat and avoid paying for a
very expensive hotel.
Cannot think of any real boating issues except that the West Marine in
Ft Lauderdale has SOLAS flares.
My 25 yr old daughter and her BF are now in Newman, Australia
(backside of NOWHERE) driving huge trucks in the open pit mine, they
want girl drivers there, making $32/hr b'leve it or not. They want to
buy a big boat and sail back here. Crazy kids, sounds like something
I'd do.
Try getting out on the water and fergit the politics.

Amen.

Glad to hear all is well with you. Were you able to sneak in to Castaway Cay, the Disney island,
while touring the Abacos? I reckon if you could sneak in when their ship is there, you'd get a good
feed at their buffet!

Sounds like you've got a good excuse to fly to Australia and sail back when your daughter's ready.