Bahamas Checkin?

Hi, y'all,

Well, the best laid plans, etc. We're not going to the Keys, after
all. Instead, we'll cross to from Miami to the Bahamas later this
week, assuming the weather holds.

We'd love to have the least-hassled, simplest, checkin possible - and
since we don't have to go ashore, nor pick anyone up, for a while,
anywhere in the north end of the bahamas would work, essentially.

So, who's been there, done that, that can say which to avoid, and
which to favor, as well as how to get the longest visa? And, of
course, any advice would be appreciated on low-budget entertainment
and low-level diving or snorkeling. We'll not dock other than to take
on fuel and water, and unlikely we'll moor, either, unless safety or
inevitability intervene. We have a hookah rig which we'll use at 1
atm or less. From the north end we'll head south after the new year
to the Exumas, so suggestions are welcomed for activity (sightseeing,
"don't miss" places, fishing and shallow diving, etc.) in that area as
well.

As I may not have access to this, please cc me directly on any
response? Thanks. (skipgundlach atsign gmail dotsign com)

L8R

Skip, Lydia and crew Portia the seagoing cat and Lydia's 83 yo mother,
back for her second cruise with us.

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at and


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

"Skip Gundlach" wrote in message
...
Bahamas Checkin?

Hi, y'all,

Well, the best laid plans, etc. We're not going to the Keys, after
all. Instead, we'll cross to from Miami to the Bahamas later this
week, assuming the weather holds.

We'd love to have the least-hassled, simplest, checkin possible - and
since we don't have to go ashore, nor pick anyone up, for a while,
anywhere in the north end of the bahamas would work, essentially.

West End is the best choice when departing from Miami. Use the current in
the Stream instead of fighting it.
Don't arrive on a week-end. Arrive during the week during normal hours to
avoid overtime charges. (This means a midnight departure from Miami to
arrive in the late morning/afternoon. You owe it to yourself to cruise the
Abacos before proceeding further south. Refer to your cruising guide for the
particulars.


So, who's been there, done that, that can say which to avoid, and
which to favor, as well as how to get the longest visa?


Duh, you don't need a visa. When you arrive at West End call the marina on
your VHF to get harbor clearance and dockage instructions. Fly your yellow
quarantine flag. Get the necessary paperwork at customs and immigration and
return to your boat to fill out the papers. Bring filled out papers and your
ship's registration/documentation and your passport and those of your crew.
Hide the kitty and don't mention it at all or it might involve all sorts of
paperwork like current rabies shots, quarantine etc. If asked if you have a
pet, don't lie. Tell them you have a ship's cat that never goes ashore
because it's too timid. Go from there. Chances are they'll let it slide.
Present your credentials and ask for a cruising permit/fishing license. A
cruising permit is good for six months and can be renewed once without
charge giving you a years worth of cruising. Pay your money (I think it will
set you back $150 bucks for your sized boat). Oh, dress respectfully and
only you are to go ashore to clear customs. Long slacks, a belt and a nice
dress shirt with real leather shoes will get you treated better. Treat the
officials with respect and don't be in a hurry. Remember to use 'Island
time.'

And, of
course, any advice would be appreciated on low-budget entertainment
and low-level diving or snorkeling. We'll not dock other than to take
on fuel and water, and unlikely we'll moor, either, unless safety or
inevitability intervene. We have a hookah rig which we'll use at 1
atm or less. From the north end we'll head south after the new year
to the Exumas, so suggestions are welcomed for activity (sightseeing,
"don't miss" places, fishing and shallow diving, etc.) in that area as
well.

Once on the banks your anchoring and snorkeling/diving choices are myriad.
Plan on going east from West End through the channel onto the banks and
anchor at Great Sale key for the night. Work your way slowly south and
southeast along the island chain stopping where you read about things that
interest you. You should have plenty of company as lots of cruisers are
headed that way this time of the year. Stay apprised of cold fronts so you
can get to a sheltered anchorage should one pass. It can get pretty bumpy on
the banks during a cold front and water visibility goes to hell so running
aground chances increase. Don't confuse fish muds with shoals.

The Marsh Harbor area is a great supply, socializing point. The anchorage
has great holding and is protected from every direction but with a long
fetch to the west. Don't miss Green Turtle Cay.


As I may not have access to this, please cc me directly on any
response? Thanks. (skipgundlach atsign gmail dotsign com)

What's posted on Usenet stays on Usenet, IMO.

Wilbur Hubbard

On Dec 7, 12:28*pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

(content deleted)

GASP!!!

A useful post from my heckler :{))

Seriously, thanks for reminding me of the weekend bit, and the other
stuff. We'll play around in the north, then head south to avoid the
worst of the fronts, working our way north again as the weather
improves.

L8R

Skip

On Dec 7, 9:57*am, Skip Gundlach wrote:

(content deleted)

GASP!!!

A useful post from my heckler :{))
Skip

Skip:

A simple "thank you' would be best. 99% of Wilburs post are useful.
Youre just to insecure to see his wisdom and either run away or
recently argue.
But when it comes to politics Wilbure is very nieve and easly
manupulated by the poplular media.

So yes skip. a simple thank you will do.
Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
...
On Dec 7, 9:57 am, Skip Gundlach wrote:

(content deleted)

GASP!!!

A useful post from my heckler :{))
Skip

+99% of Wilburs post are useful.
+
+a simple thank you will do.
+Bob

Thank you for the best laugh all day.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Sun, 7 Dec 2008 13:22:04 -0800 (PST), Bob
wrote:

On Dec 7, 9:57*am, Skip Gundlach wrote:

(content deleted)

GASP!!!

A useful post from my heckler :{))
Skip

Skip:

A simple "thank you' would be best. 99% of Wilburs post are useful.
Youre just to insecure to see his wisdom and either run away or
recently argue.
But when it comes to politics Wilbure is very nieve and easly
manupulated by the poplular media.

So yes skip. a simple thank you will do.
Bob

If you find 99% of Wilbur's posts useful then you are not very well
versed in things nautical.

Real Sailors find him ridicules.

You will remember his advise that dinghy oars should be sized to fit
inside the dinghy? How to steal from Walmart? The usefulness of women?
And all his other erroneous, or illegal, recommendations.

The only person who could love Wilbur would be a Jewish Mother. Oh
Vay, look mine son Vilbur. Look! Everyone is out of step except mine
Villier!

Cheers,

Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)

Skip Gundlach wrote:

Bahamas Checkin?

Hi, y'all,

Well, the best laid plans, etc. We're not going to the Keys, after
all. Instead, we'll cross to from Miami to the Bahamas later this
week, assuming the weather holds.

We'd love to have the least-hassled, simplest, checkin possible - and
since we don't have to go ashore, nor pick anyone up, for a while,
anywhere in the north end of the bahamas would work, essentially.

We've always checked in at Bimini and I have been informed that the
harbor entrance has been dredged -- we have always gone in at high or
rising tide and around noon for best visibility. We usually leave
from around Rodriguez Key so that we can go with the Gulf Stream and
not against it - leaving and crossing at night and only on a south
wind - no north winds. We usually go into Sea Crest marina which is
right next to the mail boat dock. It is more expensive than some of
the marinas on the other side, but has more water in it. Although you
can anchor, the bottom was scoured when we were there and people had
trouble with the holding.


So, who's been there, done that, that can say which to avoid, and
which to favor, as well as how to get the longest visa? And, of

I do not know what current requirements are, but some places require
that you come to a dock to check in, and they used to charge $25 for
the docking just for the check-in. (Cat and maybe Chub) It also was
at one time that you could only get an extended cruising permit in
Nassau in person. Don't know if that is still true - things change
all the time. The person I talked to had checked in elsewhere and
been given a short term permit and came to Nassau to get an extension.

Do NOT try to check in in Nassau - you will have to wait on your boat
for the officers and they are busy with cruise ships, so it may be
awhile before they get to you.

I have not checked in to West End but that is possible although I have
left from there. It is VERY isolated and I found it expensive.. Some
people go all the way to Andros to check in as there is no dock there
so they can't require you to come in to one. But that requires that
you cross the banks first and it will take a couple of days. I always
felt uncomfortable taking that long before check-in.

course, any advice would be appreciated on low-budget entertainment
and low-level diving or snorkeling. We'll not dock other than to take
on fuel and water, and unlikely we'll moor, either, unless safety or
inevitability intervene. We have a hookah rig which we'll use at 1
atm or less. From the north end we'll head south after the new year
to the Exumas, so suggestions are welcomed for activity (sightseeing,
"don't miss" places, fishing and shallow diving, etc.) in that area as
well.

As I may not have access to this, please cc me directly on any
response? Thanks. (skipgundlach atsign gmail dotsign com)

L8R

Skip, Lydia and crew Portia the seagoing cat and Lydia's 83 yo mother,
back for her second cruise with us.

On Dec 7, 7:41*am, Skip Gundlach wrote:
Bahamas Checkin?

Hi, y'all,

Well, the best laid plans, etc. *We're not going to the Keys, after
all. *Instead, we'll cross to from Miami to the Bahamas later this
week, assuming the weather holds.

We'd love to have the least-hassled, simplest, checkin possible - and
since we don't have to go ashore, nor pick anyone up, for a while,
anywhere in the north end of the bahamas would work, essentially.

So, who's been there, done that, that can say which to avoid, and
which to favor, as well as how to get the longest visa? *And, of
course, any advice would be appreciated on low-budget entertainment
and low-level diving or snorkeling. *We'll not dock other than to take
on fuel and water, and unlikely we'll moor, either, unless safety or
inevitability intervene. *We have a hookah rig which we'll use at 1
atm or less. *From the north end we'll head south after the new year
to the Exumas, so suggestions are welcomed for activity (sightseeing,
"don't miss" places, fishing and shallow diving, etc.) in that area as
well.

As I may not have access to this, please cc me directly on any
response? *Thanks. *(skipgundlach atsign gmail dotsign com)

L8R

Skip, Lydia and crew Portia the seagoing cat and Lydia's 83 yo mother,
back for her second cruise with us.

--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig * KI4MPC
See our galleries atwww.justpickone.org/skip/gallery!
Follow us at and


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream. Discover." * - Mark Twain

have fun