Thinking about the Bahamas. . . Again

jimmac99 · Post by **jimmac99** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:29 am

Swaying on a Pennekamp State Park mooring ball, my wife and I got to thinking about making a first time Bahama crossing in April. I know its a bit early but one can never be too prepared for such an undertaking. Having read Chinook's account several times we feel enthused about the prospects of taking our 26M to Bimimi and beyond. Thus far we have added or are in the process of adding a 140 watt Kyocera solar panel, a Raymarine autopilot with a power cut off swithch (thanks Mastrebe) a 25 gallon Lalizas flexible water container with small electric pump to retrive the water, for a total fresh water supply of 40 gallons, an ARB 12volt fridge, an AirHead marine toilet and finally a Manson Supreme 15# anchor to back up our current Fortress anchor. We have a 9ft rib with a 2.5 Suzuki mounted on a stern kicker plate. We added a new CDI furler last summer and the sails are in good shape. Any further suggestions, or ideas to consider would be greatly appreciated.

Jim & Carol
SV Nebula

Sumner · Post by **Sumner** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:16 pm

jimmac99 wrote:....an ARB 12volt fridge ....... a Manson Supreme 15# anchor ....

Sounds like a great trip and I'm considering it also. Should know more by the first of March.

That looks like a nice fridge. I've been very happy with the 63 quart EdgeStar that is quite a bit less and I'd also look at Engle and others, but maybe you have already

.

For a little more I'd go up to the 25# Manson. It is what I have and it has been a great anchor in all conditions. Remember that most of the anchor sizing charts are for normal conditions and they usually recommend going up a size if you might have to deal with extreme conditions which are always possible on a longer trip. How much chain do you plan on running? I have 25-30 feet on both anchors, the other being a 22# claw. I'll bet once you start using the Manson it will become your main anchor,

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

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Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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bahama bound · Post by **bahama bound** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:31 pm

We are thinking about may !

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:42 pm

It sounds like you have your boat set up nicely for cruising out to the Bahamas. Only two suggestions come to mine right now. First, you might give consideration to being able to safely and conveniently carry some extra fuel in plastic jerry containers. You'll want to conservatively estimate your motoring range, especially if you plan to go beyond Bimini. Also, you might look into getting a portable SSB radio receiver for weather. NOAA weather is hard to pick up once you get to Bimini. With the SSB receiver, you can tune in at specific times of the day and receive marine weather forecasts. Cruising guides will fill you in on which frequencies to monitor, and when they broadcast. Don't forget your "Q" flag and your Bahamas courtesy flag, and then get ready to shove off.

bahama bound · Post by **bahama bound** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 5:44 am

Chinook wrote:It sounds like you have your boat set up nicely for cruising out to the Bahamas. Only two suggestions come to mine right now. First, you might give consideration to being able to safely and conveniently carry some extra fuel in plastic jerry containers. You'll want to conservatively estimate your motoring range, especially if you plan to go beyond Bimini. Also, you might look into getting a portable SSB radio receiver for weather. NOAA weather is hard to pick up once you get to Bimini. With the SSB receiver, you can tune in at specific times of the day and receive marine weather forecasts. Cruising guides will fill you in on which frequencies to monitor, and when they broadcast. Don't forget your "Q" flag and your Bahamas courtesy flag, and then get ready to shove off.

after I read Chinooks blog for the 25th time I started looking at ssb radios ? When I look on eBay all the c.b radios with side band come up ? Those won't work right ?

Sumner · Post by **Sumner** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:18 am

bahama bound wrote:....after I read Chinooks blog for the 25th time I started looking at ssb radios ? When I look on eBay all the c.b radios with side band come up ? Those won't work right ?

I bought one of these...

http://store.sony.com/fm-stereo-multi-b ... cks-Radios

.... and can't remember now if it was because Mike had one or not?? I can get it to work after spending a little time with it but can't figure out how to get the Bahama/Caribbean weather nets. I tried it again this morning in the boat yard with the clip-on external antenna with no luck. Maybe I'm still too far being on the west coast of Florida. Any suggestions Mike?

Here is a link to a pdf file for the frequencies I'm trying and I am using the UTC time....

www.caribbeancompass.com/ssb_radio.pdf

I'd get a radio as weather is really important on a trip like this. The top three things I want is access to weather, good anchoring gear and location info.

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Gabby_SC · Post by **Gabby_SC** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 7:00 am

If you are looking at Ebay search under "Marine SSB" transceivers are pricey , but receivers run about $400

jimmac99 · Post by **jimmac99** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 7:12 am

I like the Sony radio. Let me know if you get it working. I agree about weather. I want to know as much as possible.
I've already bought the 15# manson so I'll just have to go with it. Up until now I've been very happy with the Fortress anchor. Between the two I should sleep soundly. Presently I'm carrying three 6.5 fuel tanks plus a single gallon for the dingy motor. I know I should carry more but can't find any unused storage. Having poured over all of Chinooks blogs I'm amazed at all the gear and supplies he manages to carry.

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:15 am

Sumner has shown the radio we used. Reception is tricky, and is definitely distance and antenna related. I never bothered trying to rig a specialized antenna high on the mast. I just used the built in extension antenna, and tuned in once I was in the cruising area. I did notice that my reception would improve when I touched the telescoping antenna to my back stay, so that tells me that a better antenna would really help. One nice feature of the Sony is that, at the time we bought it, it had a frequency lock feature and was the least expensive radio which included that capability. Frequency lock allows the radio to hold a station once it gets tuned in, thereby greatly reducing the tendency to fade in and out. We were able to listen to weather broadcasts while in both the Sea of Cortez and the Exumas.

cptron · Post by **cptron** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:15 am

When we went to the Bahamas last May, we bought the same radio that Sumner is showing also. We live in North Carolina and I was able to pick up one of Chris Parkers weather service broadcasts from home. It does work better if you at least touch the antennae to one of the stays to the mast. Just watch the weather and remember to turn your cell phone off when you get to the Bahamas or you might wind up with and enormous bill when you get back. Batelco charges are expensive if you are able to use your cell phone from one of their towers. Blue Water Marina in Bimini has Wi-Fi that we used with our tablet to get weather and internet from. Even playing games on your phone over the internet gets charged by Batelco.

bahama bound · Post by **bahama bound** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:00 am

cptron wrote:When we went to the Bahamas last May, we bought the same radio that Sumner is showing also. We live in North Carolina and I was able to pick up one of Chris Parkers weather service broadcasts from home. It does work better if you at least touch the antennae to one of the stays to the mast. Just watch the weather and remember to turn your cell phone off when you get to the Bahamas or you might wind up with and enormous bill when you get back. Batelco charges are expensive if you are able to use your cell phone from one of their towers. Blue Water Marina in Bimini has Wi-Fi that we used with our tablet to get weather and internet from. Even playing games on your phone over the internet gets charged by Batelco.

please have Cindy call Joanna ,she won't make any decisions about our trip till she talks to her ? I emailed you her number !

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:12 am

Another simple way to get weather info while anchored out in the Bahamas is to dinghy over to the newest, biggest boat in the anchorage and simply ask. You can count on the skipper having the latest gizmos and being only too happy to share. We were anchored with about 8 other boats in the Berry Islands when a strong storm front was forecast to blow through during the night. The boats with radar set up an anchor watch schedule, and monitored the location of storm cells all night. Every hour they radioed updates on how far away the severe weather was. Cruisers truly do look out for each other.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:52 am

Gez With this storm we r getting right now wish I was there ! watched Distant Shores in the Bahamas last night now get up to 35cm of blowing snow Brrrrr

Jan down Feb to go

J

Post by **dlandersson** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:58 am

Ditto. Just got another 18 inches of global warming to shovel.

Highlander wrote:Gez With this storm we r getting right now wish I was there ! watched Distant Shores in the Bahamas last night now get up to 35cm of blowing snow Brrrrr
Jan down Feb to go

J

Sumner · Post by **Sumner** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:20 am

dlandersson wrote:Ditto. Just got another 18 inches of global warming to shovel. ..

Yep you are right in that....

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/ ... janus-snow

Sumner

============================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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Thinking about the Bahamas. . . Again

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