First Bimini Trip - aiming for 2021

[bronze_10]

Oh I think they are a great thing to have.. just didnt work out for me!

 

[afsigma21]

Has anyone found/noticed issues with mixing boats on this type of trip? I.e. a 190AR going with a 242LSE? Question comes down to are the 242s burning more fuel going slower to wait for the 190s etc. Dpes it matter a whole lot?

The issue here is Fuel. The 190s will probably have to carry extra gas and add it part way across. 210s and up do not. When I went last year, we had FLAT water going over so we were cruising about 30-32 mph, faster than usual (25-27) because watre was flat. 190's can keep up at 30mph no problem.

 

[El Comandante]

The issue here is Fuel. The 190s will probably have to carry extra gas and add it part way across. 210s and up do not. When I went last year, we had FLAT water going over so we were cruising about 30-32 mph, faster than usual (25-27) because watre was flat. 190's can keep up at 30mph no problem.

ive seen YouTube videos of 190’s going across wo stopping for gas.

190’s carry 40 gallons. @ 70% usable = 28 gallons. I don’t know fuel consumption on single engine 190’s but at 10g/hr @ 30mph they can make it to the dock at Bimini.

 

[TugboatBruce]

This sounds great, my wife and I would make this run!

 

[VaMarine]

ive seen YouTube videos of 190’s going across wo stopping for gas.

190’s carry 40 gallons. @ 70% usable = 28 gallons. I don’t know fuel consumption on single engine 190’s but at 10g/hr @ 30mph they can make it to the dock at Bimini.

What do you mean by the 70% usable? How do you carry 40 gallons but can only consume 28?

 

[afsigma21]

Check out the fuel consumption piece of the preparing for Bimini thread. It goes in to great details. Click the expanded link. This will answer almost ALL your fuel questions.

If the water is rough, a 195 might not make it all the way. Did the newer 190s get the 40 gallon tank?

In 2019 in rough water on the way back, my 2017 212LS used about 42 gallons.

 

[Speedling]

I'm planning for the trip now for 21. It will be our first time. Question should we take the kids they'll be almost 8 an 6 years old. We will be coming from southern Maryland. Love to tag along for the crossing with da group.

Planning on going 21 but the then 11, 9, 7 year olds may or may not be going. My wife and i haven't had a vacation just the two of us in 15 years (honeymoon) and we may go with another couple. Kids went last time and if they love nature and snorkling they will love it.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@VaMarine You always should have 30% in reserve is the general rule. So you plan trips or outings to burn 70% of your fuel and have the rest in reserve for planning purposes in case of emergency or other.

If you think you will use more 70% of your fuel for any trip, you should carry extra on board to replenish.

 

[VaMarine]

@VaMarine You always should have 30% in reserve is the general rule. So you plan trips or outings to burn 70% of your fuel and have the rest in reserve for planning purposes in case of emergency or other.

If you think you will use more 70% of your fuel for any trip, you should carry extra on board to replenish.

Thanks for the clarification. Was confused as to why you couldn't use the whole thing. But for planning purposes, I generally agree with you. Never want to get 3 miles from where you're going and need fuel.

 

[SlavO]

Planning on going 21 but the then 11, 9, 7 year olds may or may not be going. My wife and i haven't had a vacation just the two of us in 15 years (honeymoon) and we may go with another couple. Kids went last time and if they love nature and snorkling they will love it.

Congratulations on a vacation for you an your better half... my kids definitely aren't making the trip. Me and my wife need a break for sure from them.

 

[Julian]

I noticed a number of videos that show folks fishing for lobsters while they're out on Bimini jetboat flings, but it appears that the lobster season is closed from 1 Apr to 31 Jul every year. Is there an organized fling that happens in August? Is it too hot then?

The main reason we don't plan trip later than mid July is the risk of bad weather (hurricanes, tropical depressions etc) increases, and in general, the later in the summer the windier it can be, which means bigger waves.

I will be going next year for sure (unless they have Covid restrictions in place). I have 2 other cabin cruisers (26 & 33' ers) from Raleigh who also say they are coming.

I usually target the last week of June, or the 2nd week of July (I try to avoid July 4th week...we went then in 2018 and it wasn't bad....but Bimini had power issues that year, so it scared a lot of folks off).

I typically settle in on dates in the December/January time frame.

 

[El Comandante]

Thanks for the clarification. Was confused as to why you couldn't use the whole thing. But for planning purposes, I generally agree with you. Never want to get 3 miles from where you're going and need fuel.

Also, on most boats you can’t consume 100% of the fuel in the tank. The pickup doesn’t suck up the tank dry. There’s always a small amount of fuel in the tank.
The position of the boat in water also contributes to this effect. Some more than others.
As a rule you should always have a reserve for emergency maneuvers. 30% is customary.

 

[Julian]

As a rule you should always have a reserve for emergency maneuvers. 30% is customary.

In 2017 there were two 24' boats that ran out of gas before they arrived. One ran out 60% of the way across (and we saved them with the help of a CG helicopter-long story that you can read here), and one ran out of fuel about 1-2 miles offshore. The first boat shouldn't have been out there. We crossed using 85% of our fuel the day before with less waves. So I recommend all our size boat travel with extra fuel because you never know when you might have to detour around a storm (like we did), or the oncoming wind and waves are worse than the forecast and you burn a lot more gas.

 

[KCAR250]

The new 25ft boats have 75 gallons so it seems like those will do just fine for the trip without having to carry extra fuel. I too would be interested in a 2021 or 2022 trip. Does anyone go in May or is there a reason to go in June instead?

 

[Julian]

Some go in May, but many people have school conflicts.

 

[KCAR250]

Some go in May, but many people have school conflicts.

That makes sense. For me it can be a little harder getting off work in the summer months. June would work too though.

 

[Berrie]

The new 25ft boats have 75 gallons so it seems like those will do just fine for the trip without having to carry extra fuel. I too would be interested in a 2021 or 2022 trip. Does anyone go in May or is there a reason to go in June instead?

The Gulf Stream calms down when the predominant winds have completed their shift from NNE to ESE. This happens in May. Some years early May, some years later in May.
there is a better chance of calm seas starting in June.

 

[JB Nonamé]

Wife and I are down for a 21 trip! We are new to JB.net and owning a jetboat, (got our 242 this May) and making the trip with others would make us both much more comfortable....and fun!

 

[Slapjaw]

My wife and I, along with another couple, are pretty damn committed to a 2021 trip to Bimini but would need to travel with the larger group from a first-timer/safety standpoint. I've been boating all my life, but on inland lakes in the midwest. Have read all of the Bimini prep threads and have a plan to equip my boat and be ready when summer of 2021 comes but need to know when is the earliest we might know some dates so we can all request off work and start to plan our summer for that year. What has traditionally been a good timeframe where the official JB.net Bimini fling dates get solidified?

Thanks!
Matt

I belive there is a 6/27 - 7/2 trip coming up! I'm going

 

[Farny]

My wife and I are interested in the 2021 Bimini Trip. Is there someone running point on this we can get in contact with for details/ reservations etc?