Bimini bound
 

I started this thread cuz the topic was getting mixed up wiht the
other.
I admit, my desire to go to Bimini in my 20' Tolman is mostly
hypothetical right now. My reason for wanting to do it rather than in
my 28' sailboat is that the Bahamas are shallow and I think I'll see
more of em in the Tolman than in a boat drawing 4'. I believe my boat
is more seaworthy than most production boats smaller than 22'. I have
been on long trips with my sailboat and have done several crossings
from St. Pete to/from NW FL where we were over 60 miles out.
So, given the boat I have (20' Tolman), :
Can it be done reasonably safely?
How do I minimize risk?
Is 10 kts (still planing, she seems to plane at 8 kts or less) a
reasonable thing if the chop is big?
Will the chop be better or worse than the shallow water I normally see
in NW FL?

Now, for the caveats. Several groups do this with smaller boats so I
would probably be with them. Being uncomfortable is no real problem,
doing something insane is.

Bimini bound
 

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:26:37 -0700, ohara5.0 wrote:

I started this thread cuz the topic was getting mixed up wiht the other.
I admit, my desire to go to Bimini in my 20' Tolman is mostly
hypothetical right now. My reason for wanting to do it rather than in
my 28' sailboat is that the Bahamas are shallow and I think I'll see
more of em in the Tolman than in a boat drawing 4'.

I wouldn't think 4' draft would be overly restrictive. A lot of cats
draw that, and, I would think it would be a lot safer trip over.

Bimini bound
 

wrote in message
t...
On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:26:37 -0700, ohara5.0 wrote:

I started this thread cuz the topic was getting mixed up wiht the other.
I admit, my desire to go to Bimini in my 20' Tolman is mostly
hypothetical right now. My reason for wanting to do it rather than in
my 28' sailboat is that the Bahamas are shallow and I think I'll see
more of em in the Tolman than in a boat drawing 4'.

I wouldn't think 4' draft would be overly restrictive. A lot of cats
draw that, and, I would think it would be a lot safer trip over.


I'd take the sailboat in a New York second.

Bimini bound
 

On Aug 17, 10:15 pm, "Don White" wrote:
wrote in message

t...

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:26:37 -0700, ohara5.0 wrote:

I started this thread cuz the topic was getting mixed up wiht the other.
I admit, my desire to go to Bimini in my 20' Tolman is mostly
hypothetical right now. My reason for wanting to do it rather than in
my 28' sailboat is that the Bahamas are shallow and I think I'll see
more of em in the Tolman than in a boat drawing 4'.

I wouldn't think 4' draft would be overly restrictive. A lot of cats
draw that, and, I would think it would be a lot safer trip over.

I'd take the sailboat in a New York second.

Taking the sailboat is kinda complicated because just getting her to
the east coast is a considerable trip. Getting the Tolman there is a
matter of simply trailering her. The sailboat at 5 kts requires a
major weather window. The Tolman requires a much smaller weather
window.
After re-reading Tolman's book "Tolman Alaskan Skiffs", I am convinced
it is a reasonable thing to do if:

1 One prepares well (equipment).
2. One has sufficient experience

So, at this point, I consider it to be feasible although I may or may
not decide to do it.

Bimini bound
 

Bimini bound
 

On Aug 17, 10:46*pm, hk wrote:
wrote:
On Aug 17, 10:15 pm, "Don White" wrote:
wrote in message

net...

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:26:37 -0700, ohara5.0 wrote:
I started this thread cuz the topic was getting mixed up wiht the other.
I admit, my desire to go to Bimini in my 20' Tolman is mostly
hypothetical right now. *My reason for wanting to do it rather than in
my 28' sailboat is that the Bahamas are shallow and I think I'll see
more of em in the Tolman than in a boat drawing 4'.
I wouldn't think 4' draft would be overly restrictive. *A lot of cats
draw that, and, I would think it would be a lot safer trip over.
I'd take the sailboat in a New York second.

Taking the sailboat is kinda complicated because just getting her to
the east coast is a considerable trip. *Getting the Tolman there is a
matter of simply trailering her. *The sailboat at 5 kts requires a
major weather window. *The Tolman requires a much smaller weather
window.
After re-reading Tolman's book "Tolman Alaskan Skiffs", I am convinced
it is a reasonable thing to do if:

1 *One prepares well (equipment).
2. *One has sufficient experience

So, at this point, I consider it to be feasible although I may or may
not decide to do it.

I would fly to Bimini and find a rowboat or something fancier, depending
on budget, to rent when I got there, rather than push that 20' boat. A
boat that does only 12 mph in a chop is going to slow everyone else in
the "armada" down, and expose everyone else to more danger than they need..

Since you boat on the Gulf, you know about sudden onset storms. Well, in
the Atlantic, they can be a lot worse, and pop up a lot faster.

But, hey, if you go - take either loogie, reggie, dk, herring, bar, or
the like along as crew.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


What do you use your lobster boat for?

Bimini bound
 

Bimini bound
 

hk wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:30:20 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Aug 18, 10:25 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
On Aug 18, 9:55 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
Do you have any photos of this wonder boat you'd care to post? The
idea
of spending "several weeks" in an open boat is not something I would
find appealing.
Look on FishyFish, some very old pics are there "David OHara's
Standard".
Thanks. From what I can see from the photos, it is a nice-looking boat,
very "shippy," as it were, and just about perfect for day fishing here
on Chesapeake Bay. If it were a 14-footer, it might row nicely, too.
Thank You Harry. Tolman actually discusses rowing them in an
emergency. I re-read part of his book and he says the 20' Standard
weighs about 800 lb. This is prob why she seems to not "carry
through" waves (lathough I have no basis for comparison).


I really don't think you have enough boat to go to Bimini in but if
you stay within sight of your friends in bigger boats and wear your
PFD you will probably OK.
Bear in mind, these are the things that created the legend of the
Bermuda Triangle. It is a tricky stretch of water, not like the
relatively calm and predictable Gulf. Bad stuff can come up fast and
you are in a pretty stiff current all the time. Guess that one wrong
and you miss your island by dozens of miles. Screw up and they find
your body in North Carolina ... or Scotland.
Maybe I sound grumpy but 6 years in the CG will do that.

Perhaps he should consider taking a liferaft in a suitcast.



Or even a suitcase.


--
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do
something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do
the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

— Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)

Bimini bound
 

On Aug 18, 1:18 pm, hk wrote:
hk wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:30:20 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

On Aug 18, 10:25 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
On Aug 18, 9:55 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
Do you have any photos of this wonder boat you'd care to post? The
idea
of spending "several weeks" in an open boat is not something I would
find appealing.
Look on FishyFish, some very old pics are there "David OHara's
Standard".
Thanks. From what I can see from the photos, it is a nice-looking boat,
very "shippy," as it were, and just about perfect for day fishing here
on Chesapeake Bay. If it were a 14-footer, it might row nicely, too.
Thank You Harry. Tolman actually discusses rowing them in an
emergency. I re-read part of his book and he says the 20' Standard
weighs about 800 lb. This is prob why she seems to not "carry
through" waves (lathough I have no basis for comparison).

I really don't think you have enough boat to go to Bimini in but if
you stay within sight of your friends in bigger boats and wear your
PFD you will probably OK.
Bear in mind, these are the things that created the legend of the
Bermuda Triangle. It is a tricky stretch of water, not like the
relatively calm and predictable Gulf. Bad stuff can come up fast and
you are in a pretty stiff current all the time. Guess that one wrong
and you miss your island by dozens of miles. Screw up and they find
your body in North Carolina ... or Scotland.
Maybe I sound grumpy but 6 years in the CG will do that.

Perhaps he should consider taking a liferaft in a suitcast.

Or even a suitcase.

--
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do
something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do
the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

— Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)

For some perspective on this topic, see this link:

http://www.vantagepointguides.com/ho...ore_bimini.htm

Bimini bound
 

wrote:
On Aug 18, 1:18 pm, hk wrote:
hk wrote:
wrote:
On Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:30:20 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:
On Aug 18, 10:25 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
On Aug 18, 9:55 am, hk wrote:
wrote:
Do you have any photos of this wonder boat you'd care to post? The
idea
of spending "several weeks" in an open boat is not something I would
find appealing.
Look on FishyFish, some very old pics are there "David OHara's
Standard".
Thanks. From what I can see from the photos, it is a nice-looking boat,
very "shippy," as it were, and just about perfect for day fishing here
on Chesapeake Bay. If it were a 14-footer, it might row nicely, too.
Thank You Harry. Tolman actually discusses rowing them in an
emergency. I re-read part of his book and he says the 20' Standard
weighs about 800 lb. This is prob why she seems to not "carry
through" waves (lathough I have no basis for comparison).
I really don't think you have enough boat to go to Bimini in but if
you stay within sight of your friends in bigger boats and wear your
PFD you will probably OK.
Bear in mind, these are the things that created the legend of the
Bermuda Triangle. It is a tricky stretch of water, not like the
relatively calm and predictable Gulf. Bad stuff can come up fast and
you are in a pretty stiff current all the time. Guess that one wrong
and you miss your island by dozens of miles. Screw up and they find
your body in North Carolina ... or Scotland.
Maybe I sound grumpy but 6 years in the CG will do that.
Perhaps he should consider taking a liferaft in a suitcast.
Or even a suitcase.

--
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do
something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do
the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

— Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)

For some perspective on this topic, see this link:

http://www.vantagepointguides.com/ho...ore_bimini.htm

Interesting and quite a glib author. The most important sentence:

"The key is to manage the other factors since you won’t have size or
displacement on your side."

The problem is, there are other factors you cannot manage.




--
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do
something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do
the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
should do, by the grace of God, I will do.

— Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)