July 10 - 26, 2020
July 10 - 26, 2020
Welcome! First and foremost, thank you for your interest and participation in this trip. Cruising to the Bahamas is an unforgettable experience. With some careful planning and anticipation, we can ensure a safe and relaxing trip. In the following pages, you will find all the necessary details.
Kyle Pillsbury (612) 718-7561 kyle.pillsbury@marinemax.com Charlie Helgeson (952) 258-9573 charles.helgeson@marinemax.com
July 10 - 26, 2020
Trip Attendees .................................. 4 Recommended Provisions ................ 5 Tips & Preparations ........................... 6 Customs Information ....................... 7 Useful Information ........................... 9 Itinerary ........................................... 13 Summary ........................................... 23
Based on feedback from prior trips, we compiled the itinerary to maximize the opportunity to enjoy the most desirable locations. This approach does require more travel in the first three days-our efforts will be rewarded with time to experience the best destinations. We have done our best to assemble everything you might need in order to feel relaxed and prepared for the trip. If you feel we have missed anything or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to either Kyle or Charlie.
Trip Attendees Helgeson / Pillsbury — Leading Lady Cleary — On a Cleary Day Goggin — Godspeed Griffiths — Soul Mates Koziol — Good Hearted Woman Marseglia — Sally's World Rizzo — Tempus Scarabelli — Victims of Fun Wessels — Diversion
4
July 10 - 26, 2020
Recommended Provisions • 50’ of white water hose, maybe (2) 25’ hoses
• Hand held VHF radio
• Bahamian courtesy flag
• Head chemicals and paper
• Yellow quarantine flag
• Up to date first aid kit
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Up to date flare kit
• Basic tool kit
• Float Switch
• Bottled water
• Spare fuel cap
• Bandages
• Spare fuel filters
• Chip for chart plotter
• Spare oil & transmission fluid & filters
• Dryer sheets
• Spare parts kit for generator (impellers)
• Engine coolant
• Spare props (optional)
• Engine impellers
• Splitter for 2-30 amp to 50 amp (boats with
• Extra bilge pump
two 30 amp cords)
• 1 Gallon Of Diesel Fuel
• Splitter – 30 A to 110V
• Extra shore power cords
• Steering fluid
• Extra water separator filter
5
July 10 - 26, 2020
Tips & Preparations Liquid weighs more than seven pounds per gallon. The more weight you have on board, the less fuel efficient. While running between ports in the US, don’t fill up your fresh water holding tanks more than half way. You only need enough to flush the head. Bring plenty of bottled water. If you will be taking meals on board, use fresh vegetables and meats first, switching to canned and frozen items last. When going shopping, check with the locals and find out what day the supply boat arrives. Plan your shopping trip the same day. Fresh vegetables, meats, milk, etc. go very fast. For those packing a large cooler – block ice melts much slower than cube or crushed ice. Place the items your will need most often near the top of the cooler. Service Boats – Schedule full service with the MarineMax Service Department. Being prepared will save you money in repair or towing charges (back to the U.S.) in the Bahamas. Clean Bottoms – Have a diver clean your boat bottom and running gear no more than one week before departure. Even just a film of scum on your boat bottom will seriously affect your performance and speed, resulting in many extra dollars in fuel spent for the trip. Spare Parts Kit – Contact your MarineMax service department and have a spare parts kit prepared for your boat. This should include: fuel/oil filters, engine impellers, generator impellers, oil, coolant and transmission fluid. Safety Equipment – Check your safety equipment before departure. Have plenty of lifejackets in good condition. Be sure your flares are not expired. Check your fire extinguishers and make sure they are properly charged. Check to be sure your garbage and oil discharge plaques are in place. Paper Charts and Plotter Chips – Although there is a lead boat with a trip leader, you should still follow along in case you want to do this trip on you own at some time, or in an emergency, you may need to lead the trip. *Please ensure you have a chart card that includes the Bahamas Renew Boat Registration/Documentation – Check that your registration will not expire while you are on this trip. If it does, be sure to renew your registration before we go.
6
July 10 - 26, 2020
Customs Information - Bahamas We will be clearing customs at the Bimini Big Game Club. The policy for vessels clearing into the Bahamas is as follows: A pleasure vessel arriving in the Bahamas shall be subject to a fee of $150 for boats under 35’ and $300 for boats over 35’. This covers the cost of an initial-entry cruising permit, plus a return visit within ninety (90) days; a vessel would be exempted from additional fees within that 90-day period, except for transportation fees if officers have to come to your boat a second time in 90 days. This also covers a three-month fishing permit and any attendant fees payable to a Customs Officer, as well as any overtime and travel costs required for the attendance of an Immigration Officer (no transportation charges when clearing at a government dock), plus the $20 departure tax should you need to fly home. (Bring a copy of your cruising permit to the airport.) Each additional person over three persons will be charged $20. No charge for children under 6 years old. There should be no overtime, holiday, or transportation charges above this initial clearing-in fee, though charges might be made for the second entry within 90 days. Ask for a receipt, get the name of the officer, and call Customs (326-4401/3228791) or Immigration at Prince George’s Dock (323-3330)/323-7814 in Nassau if you have any problems. You may want to call Customs before you cross the Gulf Stream into the Bahamas to verify fees. Crew members arriving by air and departing by boat should purchase roundtrip tickets. FEES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Bahamas Customs Clearance Form Bahamas Customs Department Form C2A Pet Import Form
7
July 10 - 26, 2020
Customs Information - Ynited States There is a new, faster, less complicated and more efficient way to clear customs in the United States upon our return. All information is here: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview/roam Download the roam app and create your profile well in advance Miscellaneous – All boats over 26’ must display an “Illegal to Dump” placard and the overboard valve must be closed and tie wrapped when entering U.S. Waters.
8
July 10 - 26, 2020
Useful Information WHILE UNDERWAY Maintain a Steady Speed – Once we determine what our cruising speed for the trip will be, look at your tachometer and maintain those RPM’s throughout the trip. Do NOT try to keep a steady speed over ground (SOG) because that will vary depending on wind, tide, Gulf Stream, and water salinity. Please, out of courtesy to those behind you, determine your RPM and stick with it. Maintain Radio Contact – Keep your radio turned on and the volume turned up. We will monitor channel 72 for the entire cruise. The trip leader will routinely check on boats to see how you are doing. If the trip leader does not get a response, he will slow the whole group down to visually check on that boat. Also, if you are encountering any problem (speed, engine problems, questions) while running, please let the lead boat know. Monitor Radio Use – Radio chatter is fine and definitely makes the trip more fun. However, please be aware that the Coast Guard is listening to the radio and issues that are over legalities should really be approached gently. For example, discussions of fuel spills and entry/re-entry issues should not be discussed over the radio – unless, of course, you enjoy being boarded by the Coast Guard! Slowing Down and Speeding Up – We are a large group of large boats, and it will be necessary to slow down quite often so as not to wake boats and properties. If this is not done efficiently, the group will get severely fragmented. The lead boat will announce when she is slowing down over the VHF. When slowing down be sure to close the gap (if any) to the boat ahead of you before slowing down. The lead boat will announce when she is starting back up on the VHF. Once the announcement is made, everyone should give his or her boat the throttle at the same time. Everyone needs to stay on plane until you reach the slow down point – slow down at that point and pick it up as soon thereafter as possible.
9
July 10 - 26, 2020
Useful Information ARRIVAL AT MARINAS Fueling Up – Upon most of our arrivals we will be fueling in preparation for the next leg of the journey. It is usually easier to fuel upon arrival so you do not have to untie and unhook your electric later to get fuel. Radio Contact – Upon arrival at a marina, the lead boat will contact the dock master and either switch him to our working channel or we will switch the whole group to the marina’s working channel. At that time, the dock master will call each boat and assign a slip over the radio. Please pay attention and answer the dock master when he contacts you. Be aware that the Bahamian accent is difficult to understand at times, so do not be embarrassed to ask them to repeat the docking assignment.
CUSTOMS Flying Quarantine Flag – Once we are a few miles offshore of the Bahamas, we will slow to an idle and install the Yellow Quarantine flags. The Quarantine flag should be flown on a high point of the starboard side of the boat. You may purchase at West Marine, or online. Captain's Duty – Your Captain will be the only person allowed off the boat until everyone aboard clears customs. Clearing Customs – Please be sure all paperwork is completed before going to the customs office. Wear shorts and a shirt (no bathing suits) and remove your sunglasses while talking to the officials. The $150.00 fee for 30’ and under and the $300.00 fee for 30’ and up must be paid in CASH. This fee covers four people or less, cruising permit, fishing permit, Customs & Immigration charges and the $15.00 Departure Tax. Each additional person above four will be charged $15.00 Departure Tax. Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. US citizens must present a Passport. A driver’s license is not acceptable. You will not receive the immigration card until you arrive at Customs.
10
July 10 - 26, 2020
Useful Information ARRIVAL AT MARINAS Flying the Bahamian Flag – Once the Captain of your boat has cleared customs, you will remove the yellow Quarantine flag and replace it with the Bahamian Courtesy flag. Please be sure you fly the flag right side up so as not to insult the Bahamians. The blue square goes in the upper left corner. Before leaving The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit. Weapons – If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs (Use Form C17). You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely. Pets – You may bring your pet into The Bahamas, but you need to make preparations before your departure. An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (Nassau) for all animals being brought onto any island. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. Applications for such permits, stating the kind of animal, breed, age, sex and country of embarkation (along with a $10 processing fee), must be made in writing. You may expedite the process by calling (242) 325-7413/7509 or faxing (242) 325-3960. There is no fee for service dogs, e.g. seeing-eye dogs. In addition, you will need a health certificate for your pet from your veterinarian to present to the Customs officials when you clear. The Bahamas Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Telephone: (242) 325-6742. Emergency after-hours Telephone: (242) 323-5138.
Required Forms
11
July 10 - 26, 2020
Useful Information ITEMS TO REMEMBER 1. Passport, Driver’s License (All boaters must have current US Passports. Passports take 4-6 weeks to process. $50 fee for rush orders.) 2. Boat registration, documentation, and insurance phone numbers. 3. Cash and Credit Cards — Many places in the Bahamas do not accept American Express. Make sure you also take a Visa or MasterCard. Bring plenty of cash with you for tipping purposes. Tipping will get you a long way in the Bahamas! 4. Any medical records in the event of an emergency. Copies of all drug prescriptions for medications you and your guests have on board. 5. Emergency contact numbers. 6. Check with your cell service on the best way to communicate and international plans. 7. 2nd VHF radio. If you have a hand-held VHF you can use it to monitor channel 16 while traveling. 8. Yellow Quarantine flag, Bahamas courtesy flag, zip ties. All can be purchased through the parts department at MarineMax. 9. Boat cleaning supplies. 10. Favorite movies and books.
WHAT NOT TO BRING Don't Over Pack – The Bahamas is a very casual place — even the nice places. You will not need to bring any clothes other than shorts, shirts, bathing suits and summer dresses. Dinner at Chub Cay can be somewhat upscale, as well Valentines. Excessive Food – The Bahamas does have grocery stores. The stores may not be of Publix quality or have low prices, but they do exist. And, for the most part, they are pretty well stocked with food, milk, water, vegetables, coffee and anything else you might need. Instead of jamming your refrigerator full of food and packing your second head full of dry ice to create a frozen meat locker (someone actually did this one year!), just bring a moderate amount of food and be prepared to make a few store runs on the trip. That said, when we leave Nassau, we will be on our own for two or three days so plan accordingly!
12
July 10 - 26, 2020
Itinerary
Faro Blanco, Marathon Friday, July 10 Departing from Sanibel Bridge, Fort Myers Day 1. We will meet at the Sanibel Bridge at 7:30 AM for our cruise to Faro Blanco, where we will stay for one night. Faro Blanco offers all marina necessities and is “civilization� so if you forgot anything, a good place to add any last minute provisions. This is a 128 nautical mile run, or about a 5 hour day, depending on conditions.
Faro Blanco Resort 1996 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 743-1234
14
July 10 - 26, 2020
Resort World Bimini Saturday, July 11 Departing from Faro Blanco, Marathon Day 2. We will clear customs on the dock at Resort World Bimini. Resort World Bimini is a resort situated in North Bimini. The resort is home to the Tides, The Sushi Bar, Monkey Business, Hemingway's and a full service marina.
Resort World Bimini North Bimini, Bahamas (305) 374-6664 ext. 8001 rwbimini.com
15
July 10 - 26, 2020
Nassau - Atlantis Sunday, July 12 Departing from Resort World Bimini Day 3. This is approximately a 90 nautical mile run, 3 or 4 hours. We will cross the tongue of the ocean, and start to see a significant change in the color of the water. Your depth finder will behave erratically. Rivaling the legendary marina of Monte Carlo, Atlantis Marina is the premier facility in The Bahamas. This luxury yacht harbor accommodates vessels of up to 240 feet, and offers a variety of yacht and fishing charter services. Guests of Atlantis Marina enjoy all the features and services of Atlantis facilities. **Make sure you provision for the next three days to be 100% self sufficient – full of water, full of fuel, groceries, etc.
Atlantis Paradise Island Nassau, Bahamas (242) 363-3000
16
July 10 - 26, 2020
Highbourne Cay Tuesday, July 14 Departing from Nassau - Atlantis Day 5. The long travel days are behind us with only 50 nautical miles over to Highbourne Cay, where we will spend 4 nights. Normans is secluded and not many amenities-they do have a great restaurant however. Normans Cay does have dockage, however, if the weather is cooperative, plan on staying on anchor or on mooring balls for two or three nights. This is part of the adventure. MacDuff's Cottages Normans Cay, Bahamas 1 (844) 462-2383
17
July 10 - 26, 2020
Compass Cay Sunday, July 19 Departing from Highbourne Cay Day 10. We will be staying at Compass Cay for two nights. Compass Cay was the fan favorite of past trips. Compass is very relaxing and plan on doing next to nothing while you are here. Be provisioned before arrival, as the only amenities are cheeseburgers, ice, power and the best beach in the world. Compass can be somewhat difficult when arriving, regardless of reservations – be flexible. There are mooring balls nearby. Arriving as a group of eight will require patience, however, we take this into account and have contingency plans if we run into a marina or dockage issue, which we will.. Compass Cay Marina Compass Cay, Bahamas (242) 422-7300
18
July 10 - 26, 2020
Staniel Cay Monday, July 20 Departing from Compass Cay Day 12. Staniel is close to Compass Cay, land and sea park (mooring balls), Thunderball Grotto, Rachel’s Bubble Bath, swimming pigs and more. Staniel also has a great restaurant. Everything revolves around the bar at Staniel – your marina bill, check in/out, food, drinks, of course, and anything you require will depend on who is working at the bar – tipping here on the front end will make things like getting rid of garbage, refilling ice, and getting your boat washed simple. This is an opportunity to relax away from the group and do what you please. Staniel Cay Yacht Club Staniel Cay, Bahamas (242) 355-1008
19
July 10 - 26, 2020
Chub Cay Thursday, July 23 Departing from Staniel Cay Day 13. We will be staying at Chub Cay for two nights. Chub boasts a huge marina with nice new concrete floating docks, a ship store, great pool and great restaurant. Plan on getting situated and having a great dinner in the dining room. We have built in some flexibility for the long trek back, and may stay one night only, but we shall see. Chub Cay Resort & Marina Chub Cay, Bahamas (242) 325-1490
20
July 10 - 26, 2020
Ocean Reef Club Friday, July 25 Departing from Chub Cay Crossing the gulf stream to the Ocean Reef Club you will experience a fairly significant south to north pull from the current. Track a waypoint and trust your GPS, we learned the difference between course over ground (COG) and heading. Only a 60 nautical mile run before we can relax at Ocean Reef. There is a nice restaurant there, and pool. They are very old fashioned here, plan accordingly for attire (no tee shirts, tank tops, etc.) Ocean Reef Club 35 Ocean Reef Drive Key Largo, FL (305) 367-2611
21
July 10 - 26, 2020
Home Sunday, July 26 Departing from Ocean Reef Club This is the last day of the journey, and approximately 150 nautical miles. Welcome home.
22
July 10 - 26, 2020
Itinerary Summary July 10 Fort Myers to Faro Blanco 118 NM July 11 Faro Blanco to Resort World Bimini 115 NM July 12 Resort World Bimini to Nassau - Atlantis 115 NM July 14 Nassau - Atlantis to Highbourne Cay 75 NM July 18 Highbourne Cay to Compass Cay 10 NM July 20 Compass Cay to Staniel Cay 50 NM July 23 Staniel Cay to Chub Cay 145 NM July 25 Chub Cay to Ocean Reef Club 180 NM July 26 Ocean Reef Club to Fort Myers 180 NM
23
July 10 - 26, 2020
Thank You!
