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Author Topic:   B.W. Owner's Event, Bimini / June

Brian7son posted 03-12-2008 02:51 PM ET (US)
I just registered for this event. Are any C.W. members planning on attending this event in the Bahamas?
I went last year and had a great time. We had very good weather crossing the gulf stream, going and coming home. It was like a bath tub out there. I hope we are as lucky this year. I have made other Bahamas crossings and not been as fortunate.
Brian
stefan posted 03-12-2008 07:35 PM ET (US)
I got the offical email invite from Whaler, stating it's the 50 yr anniv, yada yada, yada, but notice in picture not a single classic, and all those merc verado pukados?LOL
Brian7son posted 03-13-2008 07:19 AM ET (US)
Stefan,
I'm not positive, but I think my 98 Conquest was the oldest boat there last year. However, it was a good time.
I met a lot of nice people.
Tohsgib posted 03-14-2008 11:09 AM ET (US)
Nope...at $4/gal I am not going very far.
Brian7son posted 03-14-2008 12:10 PM ET (US)
I completely understand why people are not lining up to go.
It is a very big expense. Bimini Bay is nice, but very expensive. I signed up to go, but I am still up in the air about locking in my hotel reservations. Unlike here in the U.S. where you usually have 72 hours or less to cancel a hotel reservation without penalty, in the Bahamas, at some resorts, you can take a beating if you cancel.
Brian
Tohsgib posted 03-14-2008 12:26 PM ET (US)
That and the fact it costs like $200 just to clear customs or did they lower it? For what they charge you for everything in the Bahamas, they should pay you to enter their country...or swap ya for a case of Budweiser...which is like $60 there. I agree it is pretty there but for what it costs(and we live in FL) I can go to Europe or the Carribean. They keys are almost as nice in my opinon but I hate that drive.
Brian7son posted 03-14-2008 12:31 PM ET (US)
I hear you. In the mean time, we'll just have to have a great time at the 1st "official" East coast Red-neck-vous in May.
Tohsgib posted 03-14-2008 12:32 PM ET (US)
What I would really like to do is take my 19 from my house to islmorada in June by sea. Just to do it once and have a great memory of it. I would like to have 2 boats going as well and 2 trailers showing up at the hotel when I get there. Going is fine but I am not returning that way. I figure less than 200 miles and less than 40 gals of fuel for me so about $125. Actually the trip to Bimini would not cost me much being like 60 miles but towing it to Ft Lauderdale and back is the killer, plus what you and I said above...hotels, customs, gas, beer, food, etc...uh $2000 or so I imagine.
Brian7son posted 03-14-2008 12:44 PM ET (US)
That sounds like a fun trip. I took my Conquest from my house by sea to Islamorada. The trip down was awesome, dock to dock in 9 or 10 hours. The ocaen got ugly on the way home and I had to enter the ICW at government cut in Miami and entered "no-wake hell".
I also took a trip via water from my house, offshore into Pt. St. Lucie inlet then across Lake Okeechobee through the locks, came out Ft. Meyers and ran down to Naples. It's neat to see Florida by boat.
I love taking trips on the boat, but the kids get cabin fever on the long ones and the weather has a huge impact on the enjoyment of your day.
Tohsgib posted 03-14-2008 12:56 PM ET (US)
The weather impact for you in a 285 is much less than for me in a 19 Banana hull. More than a slight chop and I am doomed. Good thing is I can run shallows but don't think I want to do that in unfamiliar territory. What would be ideal is to trailer to Everglades City and check weather there. If calm drop in and go. If rough...keep trailering and check again in Homestead or Key Largo, especialy if a easternly type wind. From Everglades City I would probably arrive not far behind the truck/trailer. hmmm...maybe get Len to run with me and Margit and my wife can tow the trailer to the keys....hmmmm.
Brian7son posted 03-14-2008 01:05 PM ET (US)
Yes, I will confess that it doesnt suck when it starts raining hard and you roll down the isenglass and turn on the wipers. However, getting caught in t-storms sucks.
I got caught in one 2/3's of the way across Lake Okeechobee. Thank god for my Furuno. I like it when a channel marker shows up right where it's supposed to be on my screen. Especially when visbility is limited due to monsoon. Always an adventure.
contender posted 03-14-2008 03:33 PM ET (US)
Bahamas still has the high price customs, and they do not care how long it takes. Last time I was there it almost took longer to check through customs than the crossing itself. I would change your meeting place to some where in the keys. Everyone can get a room, plenty of places to eat, plenty to see, No customs, save on fuel(boating) and you still are in America.
Brian7son posted 03-14-2008 03:59 PM ET (US)
contender,
I agree with you, but this wasnt a C.W. Rendezvous. I was orginally referring the the Whaler factory sponsored owner's event that is taking place at Bimini Bay, in N. Bimini, in June.
By the way, we are planning a CW event near Merritt Island in May. You're a Florida east coaster, like myself(which appears to be a serious minority on this website), you should come.
Brian
stefan posted 03-14-2008 06:48 PM ET (US)
I was thinking that too Nick, I'd love to go to the Keys by Sea, maybe spend a night at the Rod&Gun Club, shove off from there....
contender posted 03-14-2008 08:20 PM ET (US)
Brain7son give me the May date see what I can do. Also heads up I here the Dolphin are already here in 600ft of water, Have heard couple friends catching them already. No weeds but plenty of birds. Will be in Alaska most of June and 1st week of July. Stefan were are you coming from, can give you other spots to stop depending on what you want. You may like some of the spots...good luck
Tohsgib posted 03-14-2008 09:21 PM ET (US)
Contender...may 17-18 in merritt island...show up please. As far as the Keys or Bahamas..another discussion which is what we are trying to do....sorry.
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 03-15-2008 09:23 AM ET (US)
My CONSERVATIVE estimate for the Whaler Bimini trip is:
Fuel 300 gallons @ avg. $4.75= $1425.00*
Entry/Customs Fee = $150.00
Lodging @ $325.00 per nite = $975.00
Food/Misc. = $250.00
Overnite in FTL = $150.00
Dockage Bimini Bay/Elec. = $300.00

Estimated Cost = $3250.00
Less Whaler credit = $3150.00

* Travel from West Palm
contender posted 03-15-2008 02:34 PM ET (US)
Trafficlawyer, what is the Whaler Credit? also I was in Great Guana Key(Bahamas) in June gas was already $5.10 a Gallon.
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 03-15-2008 04:18 PM ET (US)
$100.00 Gift card to the first 50 registrants.
I just averaged out the gas, I realize today It would probably be about $5.00 per gallon.
Tohsgib posted 03-16-2008 09:56 AM ET (US)
Well I hope you fill up in the USA at 3.25 first. This should knock gas down to about $2800 after credit ;)
Tohsgib posted 03-16-2008 09:57 AM ET (US)
I meant the total bill.
Brian7son posted 03-17-2008 08:46 AM ET (US)
Contender,
"Also heads up I here the Dolphin are already here in 600ft of water"
Thansk for the info.
The cobia are also running. I was looking forward all week to going out last Saturday and nailing some. All week long, the NOAA forecast for Saturday morning was going to be 1-2 ft seas and 5-10 kt west winds. Then at 4pm Friday, the forecast changed. It got real snotty. 25kt winds, etc. I was bumming. I cant wait to get offshore. This damn J-O-B thing keeps me land locked Monday-Friday.
My outriggers sure look nice, but they are not getting used. I do get the boat out in the river often, but I really want to get back offhsore.
Brian7son posted 03-17-2008 08:47 AM ET (US)
pardon the typos.
contender posted 03-18-2008 07:25 PM ET (US)
Just spoke to a good friend of mine in the keys they are catching the dolphin down there also. And they still are diving for grouper on the reefs, go figure. I know what you mean about the weather it was nice for a couple of days now its terrible here (Ft. Lauderdale) wind is up to almost 20mph for the last two days and overcast. Good luck to you
Brian7son posted 03-20-2008 03:06 PM ET (US)
So, just to make sure that I am correct here, the total number of CW Members that plan to attend the B.W. Bimini Event(June), sponsored by the factory is: 0.0
Dont get me wrong. I understand why lots of folks (myself included) are concerned with the subtstantial costs involved. I was just curious.
Brian
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 03-20-2008 06:56 PM ET (US)
Initially I had planned to attend but given the costs I already incur to run my boat for 3 months, quite frankly it's just to excessive.
I can run to West End in 2.5 hours from Jupiter, sleep on my boat, tie up at Old Bahama Bay and fish & snorkel for 2 days at a fraction of the cost of the Bimini trip.
Tohsgib posted 03-20-2008 09:53 PM ET (US)
Then show up at our east cost rendzvous you cheap bastard ;)

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Author	Topic: B.W. Owner's Event, Bimini / June
Brian7son	posted 03-12-2008 02:51 PM ET (US) I just registered for this event. Are any C.W. members planning on attending this event in the Bahamas? I went last year and had a great time. We had very good weather crossing the gulf stream, going and coming home. It was like a bath tub out there. I hope we are as lucky this year. I have made other Bahamas crossings and not been as fortunate. Brian
stefan	posted 03-12-2008 07:35 PM ET (US) I got the offical email invite from Whaler, stating it's the 50 yr anniv, yada yada, yada, but notice in picture not a single classic, and all those merc verado pukados?LOL
Brian7son	posted 03-13-2008 07:19 AM ET (US) Stefan, I'm not positive, but I think my 98 Conquest was the oldest boat there last year. However, it was a good time. I met a lot of nice people.
Tohsgib	posted 03-14-2008 11:09 AM ET (US) Nope...at $4/gal I am not going very far.
Brian7son	posted 03-14-2008 12:10 PM ET (US) I completely understand why people are not lining up to go. It is a very big expense. Bimini Bay is nice, but very expensive. I signed up to go, but I am still up in the air about locking in my hotel reservations. Unlike here in the U.S. where you usually have 72 hours or less to cancel a hotel reservation without penalty, in the Bahamas, at some resorts, you can take a beating if you cancel. Brian
Tohsgib	posted 03-14-2008 12:26 PM ET (US) That and the fact it costs like $200 just to clear customs or did they lower it? For what they charge you for everything in the Bahamas, they should pay you to enter their country...or swap ya for a case of Budweiser...which is like $60 there. I agree it is pretty there but for what it costs(and we live in FL) I can go to Europe or the Carribean. They keys are almost as nice in my opinon but I hate that drive.
Brian7son	posted 03-14-2008 12:31 PM ET (US) I hear you. In the mean time, we'll just have to have a great time at the 1st "official" East coast Red-neck-vous in May.
Tohsgib	posted 03-14-2008 12:32 PM ET (US) What I would really like to do is take my 19 from my house to islmorada in June by sea. Just to do it once and have a great memory of it. I would like to have 2 boats going as well and 2 trailers showing up at the hotel when I get there. Going is fine but I am not returning that way. I figure less than 200 miles and less than 40 gals of fuel for me so about $125. Actually the trip to Bimini would not cost me much being like 60 miles but towing it to Ft Lauderdale and back is the killer, plus what you and I said above...hotels, customs, gas, beer, food, etc...uh $2000 or so I imagine.
Brian7son	posted 03-14-2008 12:44 PM ET (US) That sounds like a fun trip. I took my Conquest from my house by sea to Islamorada. The trip down was awesome, dock to dock in 9 or 10 hours. The ocaen got ugly on the way home and I had to enter the ICW at government cut in Miami and entered "no-wake hell". I also took a trip via water from my house, offshore into Pt. St. Lucie inlet then across Lake Okeechobee through the locks, came out Ft. Meyers and ran down to Naples. It's neat to see Florida by boat. I love taking trips on the boat, but the kids get cabin fever on the long ones and the weather has a huge impact on the enjoyment of your day.
Tohsgib	posted 03-14-2008 12:56 PM ET (US) The weather impact for you in a 285 is much less than for me in a 19 Banana hull. More than a slight chop and I am doomed. Good thing is I can run shallows but don't think I want to do that in unfamiliar territory. What would be ideal is to trailer to Everglades City and check weather there. If calm drop in and go. If rough...keep trailering and check again in Homestead or Key Largo, especialy if a easternly type wind. From Everglades City I would probably arrive not far behind the truck/trailer. hmmm...maybe get Len to run with me and Margit and my wife can tow the trailer to the keys....hmmmm.
Brian7son	posted 03-14-2008 01:05 PM ET (US) Yes, I will confess that it doesnt suck when it starts raining hard and you roll down the isenglass and turn on the wipers. However, getting caught in t-storms sucks. I got caught in one 2/3's of the way across Lake Okeechobee. Thank god for my Furuno. I like it when a channel marker shows up right where it's supposed to be on my screen. Especially when visbility is limited due to monsoon. Always an adventure.
contender	posted 03-14-2008 03:33 PM ET (US) Bahamas still has the high price customs, and they do not care how long it takes. Last time I was there it almost took longer to check through customs than the crossing itself. I would change your meeting place to some where in the keys. Everyone can get a room, plenty of places to eat, plenty to see, No customs, save on fuel(boating) and you still are in America.
Brian7son	posted 03-14-2008 03:59 PM ET (US) contender, I agree with you, but this wasnt a C.W. Rendezvous. I was orginally referring the the Whaler factory sponsored owner's event that is taking place at Bimini Bay, in N. Bimini, in June. By the way, we are planning a CW event near Merritt Island in May. You're a Florida east coaster, like myself(which appears to be a serious minority on this website), you should come. Brian
stefan	posted 03-14-2008 06:48 PM ET (US) I was thinking that too Nick, I'd love to go to the Keys by Sea, maybe spend a night at the Rod&Gun Club, shove off from there....
contender	posted 03-14-2008 08:20 PM ET (US) Brain7son give me the May date see what I can do. Also heads up I here the Dolphin are already here in 600ft of water, Have heard couple friends catching them already. No weeds but plenty of birds. Will be in Alaska most of June and 1st week of July. Stefan were are you coming from, can give you other spots to stop depending on what you want. You may like some of the spots...good luck
Tohsgib	posted 03-14-2008 09:21 PM ET (US) Contender...may 17-18 in merritt island...show up please. As far as the Keys or Bahamas..another discussion which is what we are trying to do....sorry.
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 03-15-2008 09:23 AM ET (US) My CONSERVATIVE estimate for the Whaler Bimini trip is: Fuel 300 gallons @ avg. $4.75= $1425.00* Entry/Customs Fee = $150.00 Lodging @ $325.00 per nite = $975.00 Food/Misc. = $250.00 Overnite in FTL = $150.00 Dockage Bimini Bay/Elec. = $300.00 Estimated Cost = $3250.00 Less Whaler credit = $3150.00 * Travel from West Palm
contender	posted 03-15-2008 02:34 PM ET (US) Trafficlawyer, what is the Whaler Credit? also I was in Great Guana Key(Bahamas) in June gas was already $5.10 a Gallon.
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 03-15-2008 04:18 PM ET (US) $100.00 Gift card to the first 50 registrants. I just averaged out the gas, I realize today It would probably be about $5.00 per gallon.
Tohsgib	posted 03-16-2008 09:56 AM ET (US) Well I hope you fill up in the USA at 3.25 first. This should knock gas down to about $2800 after credit ;)
Tohsgib	posted 03-16-2008 09:57 AM ET (US) I meant the total bill.
Brian7son	posted 03-17-2008 08:46 AM ET (US) Contender, "Also heads up I here the Dolphin are already here in 600ft of water" Thansk for the info. The cobia are also running. I was looking forward all week to going out last Saturday and nailing some. All week long, the NOAA forecast for Saturday morning was going to be 1-2 ft seas and 5-10 kt west winds. Then at 4pm Friday, the forecast changed. It got real snotty. 25kt winds, etc. I was bumming. I cant wait to get offshore. This damn J-O-B thing keeps me land locked Monday-Friday. My outriggers sure look nice, but they are not getting used. I do get the boat out in the river often, but I really want to get back offhsore.
Brian7son	posted 03-17-2008 08:47 AM ET (US) pardon the typos.
contender	posted 03-18-2008 07:25 PM ET (US) Just spoke to a good friend of mine in the keys they are catching the dolphin down there also. And they still are diving for grouper on the reefs, go figure. I know what you mean about the weather it was nice for a couple of days now its terrible here (Ft. Lauderdale) wind is up to almost 20mph for the last two days and overcast. Good luck to you
Brian7son	posted 03-20-2008 03:06 PM ET (US) So, just to make sure that I am correct here, the total number of CW Members that plan to attend the B.W. Bimini Event(June), sponsored by the factory is: 0.0 Dont get me wrong. I understand why lots of folks (myself included) are concerned with the subtstantial costs involved. I was just curious. Brian
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 03-20-2008 06:56 PM ET (US) Initially I had planned to attend but given the costs I already incur to run my boat for 3 months, quite frankly it's just to excessive. I can run to West End in 2.5 hours from Jupiter, sleep on my boat, tie up at Old Bahama Bay and fish & snorkel for 2 days at a fraction of the cost of the Bimini trip.
Tohsgib	posted 03-20-2008 09:53 PM ET (US) Then show up at our east cost rendzvous you cheap bastard ;)