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James V wrote:Please carry an extra impeller and a way to remove a melted one. Sometimes the outboard is to far out of the water and the water does not get into the intake and melts the impeller.

Just something to watch for. Having some sail up helps.

I as well have the Mercury 50 HP BF . Have you had the misfortune of having to replace one of this yet? From what I am looking at, this is an out of water, dry land replacement. I will assume by carrying the impeller you mean to have on hand for a Marina to install should the need arise during the trip?

No, I have not had to replace the impeller on my Mer 50 hp bigfoot. I think that it can be done in the water with the motor tilted all the way up. I do suggest that you get the manual as it has a detial so you can take it apart. Replaceing the impeller is a 300 hr maintance item. I have gone over 800 hrs on mine. I suggest that you go to your dealier and work it out so that you can be there when the work is done to replace it and talk.

There is only a few places in the Bahamas that will work in the new EFI fuel injected motors.

Bring a thermostat as well. Extra Oil filters.

As much as I had hoped or better said dreamed of the Bahamas this winter, I may well be relinquishing myself to Port Charlotte south to the Keys? And of coarse then back. I have between 6 and 9 weeks of actual sail time available and a wife who wants to sail for a week and live on the hook as well as my youngest 36 y.o. daughter who desires to make an appearance and sail and dive with dad..... I am going to be making most of my mods in the warm Florida sun versus the cold wet Illinois fall..I did buy one of those small 1400 watt gen-sets from harbor freight and it seems fine for an extra several hundred dollars Honda and Yamaha make better units I am told. The Wind Wine&Song will continue to be a work in progress.

When you head down to the Keys, you can hug the everglades. This will keep you out of the crab pots. Spend the night in Shark river. From there every key is about the same distance, an easy day sail. Go up the river to the lake/lagoon for a nice quite anchorage to yourself. Charts have not been updated and there is mud flats now where there was trees before. Also mid-dape is shallow about a mile farther out than on the charts.

James V wrote:When you head down to the Keys, you can hug the everglades. This will keep you out of the crab pots. Spend the night in Shark river. From there every key is about the same distance, an easy day sail. Go up the river to the lake/lagoon for a nice quite anchorage to yourself. Charts have not been updated and there is mud flats now where there was trees before. Also mid-dape is shallow about a mile farther out than on the charts.

I thought those were for a free nightly buffet

Don't get caught. Big $$$

Sharp shooters will be there cking to see if you fouled a prop or a tastey meal. Never lift a Fishermans Pot and that goes for all USA.
On the other hand there is great fishing and shelling in the 10,000 Islands. No seeams screens a must even in Jan.
Dave

I thought those were for a free nightly buffet [/quote]