Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

[boatingtails]

I need expert advice here as I know nothing about boating. So a college friend of mine bought a Checkmate ZT260 (26?) few months ago and he wants to take this boat from Ft. Lauderdale to Bahamas. I don?t know anything about boats and I want to make sure this is safe trip.

Some Details:
-Leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on Monday morning and going to the Bimini Islands
-Going from the Bimini Islands and going to the Berry Islands on Tuesday
-Going from the Bimini Islands to the Grand Bahamas or Abaco Islands on Thursday
-Heading back to the Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday.
-We have no EPIRB.
-3 of us going total. The boat owner has a boating license. He has owned a Jet Ski for some years. I don?t think he is a novice in the water world, but not an expert. He has never done a trip like this before.


What type of boating preparations should I make sure my friend makes? ??
How dangerous is this trip???
Is his boat large enough to make this trip safely???
I don?t want to die on a boat trip. I am not a great swimmer either.

The boat he has:

http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net/zt260.html

 

[tommays]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

A trip like this is something that a wise person works there way up TO as misreading how you should take one wave OR what the boats limits are take a LOT of time to learn

"We have no EPIRB" you can rent one from Boatus

GPS navigation is a must as well as A GOOD COMPASS and paper charts for backup in the event of a GPS failure


The whole trip is weather related as to how safe it is

On a good day it would be like boating on a lake on a bad day you need to be willing to wait out the weather if gets to rough to come home

Fuel range is very related to weather conditions and if you were to try and come home in heavy seas your fuel use could increase dramatically and you could get as little as 1 mpg ( i have no idea what your fuel range is )

 

[JB]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

What sort of "boating license" does your friend have?

All members of the crew should have completed the USPS Piloting and Seamanship course or an equivalent.

Make no mistake, you are planning to go in harm's way. There is no forgiveness for the unprepared.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

With the information that you have provided I would say this trip is a NO GO. He just bought the boat, he probably dont know yet how his boat reacts in bad weather and is probably not familiar with it. In a couple of year of use and preparation you could have a better chance of a safe trip. Even experienced captains have lost the game with mother nature.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Among all the above mentioned reasons why this doesn't sound like a good plan,there's some more to add....
Weather - watch the weather channel for a while, this time of year major storms pop up in a heartbeat,visibility is zero,wind can whip up to 40-60 knots,there was no mention of GPS,VHF,EPIRP no safety or emergency protocol at all,which further lends credence to a very inexperienced captain, start off with land-in-sight trips,buy Chapmans Piloting,read it.
The boat itself is capable of making the trip,but crew needs more time to "know" the seas , charting,emergency procedure's ect..good call on being concerned.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

You have four very experienced boater's giving their opinions on your so called jaunt. I would heed each and every one of them.
There is the possibility that there may be a flotilla going over there. Check your local marina's, put an ad in the paper, do a Google search. But if you just must go - go with other's. Crossing the Gulf Stream is not for the uninitiated. Remember - you also have to come back !!!!!!

 

[boatingtails]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

We have a GPS, VHF, and I just signed up on Boat US to get an EPIRP.

We are trying to find out a way to meet up with other boats crossing over to Bimini. Does anyone know of a site where we can find others who want to meet up and cross at the same time.

Thanks

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Note: I originally posted this in his other thread in the "Destinations" section, earlier today. I am reposting here, and removing the text from the other thread, for purposes of consolidation.



OK - here are the issues that I see -

. You are contemplating taking this trip on a relatively new boat (to the owner)
. You don't think your friend has any "blue water" experience
. Your not sure what level of experience the skipper really has
. He has owned a jet ski for some years
. You are contemplating doing this in an open, 26' performance boat.

If I remember correctly, Grand Bahama Island is about 90 miles offshore. Even with a stop in Bimini, you are talking about getting a long way from land. I would not do this with someone who has little or no experience in the open ocean. You don't know what this person's experience level is and that's not a good thing!

Here's a few additional questions that come to mind.

. Exactly what kind of shape is this boat in?
. Are you absolutely certain that the hull is completely sound and that the running gear is in top shape?
. Does he have spare parts and a tool kit aboard?
. Does he have the mechanical knowledge to fix such items as may be fixable at sea, even if he does have these things?
. How many engines does he have in this boat?
. How will he navigate?
. If the answer to that is by GPS, does he have the necessary charts and gear to navigate by dead reckoning, should the electronic gizmoes die?
. Does he even know how to navigate by dead reckoning?
. Does he have any knowledge of weather and climate beyond what he sees on television news? Would he have any idea of what types off weather, winds and sea conditions are generated by the passage of various types of fronts?
What type of "boating license" does he have and what, exactly, did he have to learn to get it?
. Does he have an extensive first aid kit aboard and does he know how to use what is in it?
. You know he has no EPIRB but do you know what other safety gear he has aboard? If he doesn't have all the required CG safety gear as a minimum, there is a problem.
. Is there a second VHF radio aboard?
. Will there be a proper life raft aboard for this trip?

I could go on for another 10,000 words or so, but i think you get the point.

The business about having owned and operated a jetski for some years isn't even worth mentioning. There is nothing about operating one that will prepare this owner for what he wants to do.

In my opinion, operating an open, 26' performance hull far offshore, is a really dumb thing to do. I'm sure that plenty of people do it, and get away with that bad choice, but if you are concerned about the sensibility of this trip, I think you should consider this factor heavily.

In short, stay home!

 

[oops!]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Make no mistake, you are planning to go in harm's way. There is no forgiveness for the unprepared.

there is a big difference between a lake or bay with a jet ski, and the ocean with 30 foot seas comin over a little 26 footer,


please read the thread called "can i die"

 

[bhammer]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Most everyone here has made the point. Stay home or buy an airline ticket as you could possibly get yourself into trouble real quick. I know there are immigration issues as well. Did you know that when you arrive, you have to fly a (i think) yellow flag until you walk a couple blocks and clear customs and immigrations. As well as buy the proper boat usage fees?

Man, I'd hate to hear about you guys on the news or if your lucky enough, come back here and tell us how things went BAD in a real hurry. This is a trip that you don't do unless you have played in the salt before and understand the dangers and know how to deal or avoid them. One wave and you could be sunk!

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Sounds like a "details at eleven" news blurb on the local TV. That type of unpreparedness doesn't rate national TV.

I'm not being an A-- H--e about this, just trying to get you to carefully consider what has been stated here. A jetski has as much to do with open ocean as a kite does in relation to an airliner. It appears that your friend is overrating his experience just to get you to share in this foolish adventure.

Would you let me take out your appendix just because I dissected a frog in highschool biology?

Keep safe out there and work up to it. It won't take years if you apply yourself to learning. But a copy of Chapman's Piloting and Small Boat Handling plus enroll in a U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary boating course or a U.S. Power Squadron course. When you think that you and your pards are ready, then get a courtesy inspection fron the Coast Guard.

Do you know what to do for clearing the U.S. and entering or leaving the Islands? Don't know for sure? Your liberty is hanging on you personal knowledge. Being blown off course or a trip miscalculation could have you working with unfriendly Frontier Guards that can make your local stay last many years if you violate their ordinances.

Not trying to scare you off, just learn the ropes, be confident in your knowledge and ability and have a good time. Anything less is folly.

 

[oops!]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

90m miles eh?

30 mph= a three hour tour........the last note worthy 3 hour tour had a fearless crew, and were still talking about them

the trip is doable on a good day.....but who's to say the weather cant change?

and who's to say the weather will co-operate with your schedule.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

And, unless the seas are pretty much flat calm, they'll never make it in three hours, even from Bimini. If there are any seas to speak of, trying make 30mph will create some very tired people in very short order. It won't be long before the throttle comes back and they are making more like 15 mph.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Oh yea, i forgot. Gas, looks like your boat will hold 75 gallons,and you have a 90 mile trip....this time of year you'll have following sea's....so given the size of your motor,and you want to do this in 3 hrs.so thats 3/4 throttle 3800RPM OK,so thats probably 15-20GPH, Now, thats cutting it close...real close,run out of fuel in the Gulf Stream...Film at 11:00,
Thats one thing,next is the matter of attempting the crossing in 3 hrs which is about 45 - 50 knots, I race OffShore powerboats, those speeds offshore will knock the stuffing out of you,kinda like taking a shower while someone is beating you with a baseball bat, going it wont be too bad (following seas) coming home,,you'll be lucky to average 15 -20 knots,forget the 3 hr.deal.and Good Luck 'cause it sounds like you've talked yourself into it.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Make sure you have a good Liferaft .

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Too small of a boat for that trip period. Just too many variables in the equation that can be deadly. Break down and your at the mercy of the weather and even bandits that WILL take advantage of the situation. Just having a fast boat does not mean that you can use that speed to save your butt. Using the jetski experience to pilot a 26'er is almost laughable. Like going from a peddle car to driving a semi rig. The experience is totally different and does not compare. Plain and simple,,,,,my nads would tell me NO don't do it!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

i'm 60 y/o, been in boating all my life in Florida. i'm not qualified to make that trip as a single boat. i seriously doubt your friend is either.

 

[boatingtails]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

The boat owner says he has about 200 hours on the water piloting a boat (40 with his new boat, and 160 with his grandfathers). Based on all the responses I would assume that 200 hours isn't enough either.

I am trying to convince them to stay around the port and do a day to trip somewhere fun. Any suggestions of places near FTL we can go snorkeling?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

It sounds like you are taking the advice of those who have commented. That is a good thing because your friend appears to have no idea whatsoever of what he is potentially getting himself into.

If he will consider a change of plans, take the boat down to the Keys. The environment is very similar to the Bahamas and the snorkling will be just as good. If he is able to trailer the boat down there, you will also save a ton of gas by traveling the bulk of the distance by road rather than water.

I know that some of our words have sounded harsh but, really, they are just a reaction to something that would have been a very bad idea. That said, I think youhave accepted the wisdoms offered here and the ability to do so speaks well of your character and sensibilities.

Whatever you end up doing this weekend, have fun and be safe!

 

[boatingtails]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

My friends state I have greatly under represented their boating expertise, which is probably true. The boat owner says he has ~200 hours of boating expierence and my other friend has boating expierence too. Both are really smart guys and have a lot due diligence for the trip, which I really don't know all about. Bought charts, read about conditions, when to go, etc. They say they are definitely going and are going only based on the condition the weather is REALLY good.

My friend says he is going to look into seeing if we can find a flotilla to go with.

I am leaning towards not going on the trip and sending the EPIRB I rented as my replacement.