Now that many of you are in southern waters and maybe headed for the Bahamas, don’t miss this opportunity to link with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS” NET SPONSOR!.

RMHYC makes $3,000 donation to BASRA

The Bahamian Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) is a non-profit voluntary organization committed to saving the lives of distressed seamen or airmen in the Bahamas. It is mostly funded through donations. The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club recently made a $3,000 donation to BASRA to assist in the continuance of that important mission.

The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club (RMHYC) is an organization of land based individuals and boaters in the Bahamas. RMHYC members are very concerned about safety on the water. For many years, the RMHYC has supported BASRA as the main provider of marine emergency services in the Abacos.

RMHYC is based at Boat Harbor marina in Marsh Harbor on Great Abaco Island. The Club (RMHYC.com) welcomes cruisers and land based individuals to our many social activities. Members benefits include marina discounts and discounts at local businesses.

Woody Sutton
Commodore

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Cruisers Giving Back” plus 1 more
Cruisers Giving Back
Posted: 03 Feb 2016 08:33 AM PST
After the devastation that Hurricane Joaquin brought to the southeastern islands in the Bahamas, it is encouraging to see so many cruising yachts coming to help. Not only are they bringing lots of supplies, mainly for the schools, but they are also putting in their sweat equity as well. At Salt Pond, cruisers anchored in Thompson Bay have been helping out with putting on new roofs at the Midway Inn, the Oasis Bahamas Youth Network facility, the Farmers Market, and others. Landed locals have helped organize the work parties with tools and equipment, plus transportation and meals.

Good on ya, Mates! Keep it up.

We know that there are many other examples of CRUISERS GIVING BACK, and we’d like to hear about them from you. It is inspiring to us all to know how people are stepping up to help people in need.

Monty and Sara

New February Fuel and Dockage Prices
Posted: 03 Feb 2016 08:27 AM PST
Good news on fuel prices. Across the board, prices are down. The new monthly Explorer Fuel and Dockage survey is posted on our website www.explorercharts.com.

Please note that not all marinas responded to our survey request for new information. They are highlighted in red on the survey so that you will know the prices are not necessarily current.

As always, we appreciate the individual reports you send us to keep this survey updated. Send an email to sara@explorercharts.com for any new prices you find as you travel along these beautiful islands.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Regarding the Active Captain comments on its Facebook site about Explorer Charts:
Regarding the Active Captain comments on its Facebook site about Explorer Charts:
Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:36 AM PST
I recently returned to the Active Captain Facebook page, and I cannot locate the initial post from Mr. Jeff Siegel, or his later amended one, or even a number of the negative comments about the post from Active Captain users. I hope I am wrong, but it appears it has all been removed.
(You can learn about that initial posting, and read some direct quotes from it, on the Explorer Charts Bahamas Chatter site.)
One of the more disturbing comments from Mr. Siegel was his accusation that the people at Explorer Charts had made “errors (that) are CRIMINAL in the high traffic areas”; (reported at Explorer Charts; emphasis added)
The posting went on to push Active Captain’s superior methodology of depth reporting:
“Even the most meager attempt to crowd-source depth data is going to blow away all of these chart-producing companies.” Two weeks later, on January 27, 2016, as a member of Active Captain, I received one of Mr. Siegel’s periodic e-mails, and this sentence jumped from the page:
“All crowd-sourced data needs interpretation – it’s the nature of the medium.”
More about that later.
I have been a member of Active Captain for many years, and find the marina reports very useful, as long as you accept the information with an understanding that it may contain the same kind of bias or inaccuracy you might see in a restaurant review on Yelp. There are many very experienced, well-qualified cruisers who use Active Captain, and many who are not so experienced.
I’ve been critical of reports that some of the “crowd” make on Active Captain regarding depths. As an example, the “crowd” often reports something like this: “I had 5’ of water all the way in”. But the “crowd” does not report whether that was 5’ under the keel, or 5’ of actual depth, or what the state of the tide actually was at that moment, or whether there were any other factors which affected the tide that day, or – equally important, what was their exact location by lat/lon at the precise moment of the sounding? Were they REALLY in the “middle” of the channel? And of course there is no way to know whether their depth sounders were accurately calibrated.
I have absolutely no confidence in such information. It is off-handed, undisciplined, and unreliable.
I have used the Explorer Charts for years while cruising the Bahamas, and find them to be incredibly accurate. I’ll take the Explorer Chart data any day over anything else.
So Active Captain has two positions: 1) Meager (their word) attempts at crowd source depth data will “blow away” all of the chart producing companies, and 2) ALL crowd-source data needs “interpretation”.
In looking at Mr. Siegel’s world, the real question is just WHO will be making the “meager” attempt to interpret the crowd-sourced data? The crowd? Mr. Siegel?
It’s also interesting that Mr. Siegel doesn’t go after the electronic chart companies…including those with which he already has a business relationship. Ask yourself, just WHERE does the electronic chart data come from?
Explorer Charts is clearly a competitor to Mr. Siegel’s Active Captain, and his tactic of accusing a competitor of criminality says a great deal about his approach. Before Mr. Siegel apparently removed his comments from the Active Captain Facebook site, he made some vacuous explanations for his posting, but never issued an apology to Monty and Sara Lewis and their daughter Kate at Explorer Charts. He needs to do that now.
Greg Allard

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Praise for Explorer Charts
Praise for Explorer Charts
Posted: 28 Jan 2016 08:55 AM PST
In response to some recent criticism of Explorer Charts, I’d like to report that my wife and I used them extensively on a recent 9 month cruise and we have nothing but praise. We crossed to West End, then up to the Walkers Cay area, then down through the rest of the Abacos. Next was Eleuthera. We had the unexpected pleasure to meet Monty and Sara Lewis in Spanish Wells- nice folks! Then on down throughout the Exuma chain to Georgetown, and on the return trip north we skirted by Nassau, then over to the Berries, then Cat Cay, then back to Florida. The Explorer Charts are great. I am a land surveyor with 30+ years experience in surveying and mapping. On this trip we routinely used both electronic and paper copies, constantly checking one against the other, and comparing that with our own real-time depth soundings and visual observations. We found the horizontal mapping to be dead-on accurate, and the charted depths a little on the conservative side, as they should be. We had a great time exploring and taking some shoal draft routes, carefully nosing into skinny water while dutifully using visual piloting and minding the tide. The Explorer Charts never let us down. Tom and Robin on “Southern Trawl” Sent from my iPad

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Long Island” plus 1 more
Long Island
Posted: 26 Jan 2016 11:32 AM PST
> We’re planning to visit Long Island in March and bring donated school supplies for a small contribution to those impacted by hurricane Joaquin. > > How is the island recovering? Are there any places we should avoid because of lack of services or because we might be a burden? Where should we take our donations? Is there anything that has been specifically requested? > > Jeff Janacek on Adirondack Currently at Treasure Cay Sent from my iPhone

Active Captain and Explorer Charts
Posted: 26 Jan 2016 11:23 AM PST
I feel your pain. If you look at
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/TheFlyingPigLog/conversations/messages/438 you’ll see the analysis of an issue which follows us around yet today. The most recent was that it might have prevented us from completing our journey to becoming SSCA commodores, for which we had qualified by the time that was written, but never bothered to pursue. Of course, the mistaken rumor, in our case merely propagated by those listening in on the VHF in Elizabeth Harbour, not the vast AC mailing list as yours will fight, has grown substantially in the amplified retelling; the last one I heard was that I had shut down all of Long Island Sound. I disabused the guy who at the time was the incoming SSCA president of the notion, yet, it was presented to the SSCA board two years later. Fortunately, I’d written the post in the link in real time, and was able to point the new president, when he called to see if there was any defense, to it. If I’d not, and had just let it lay, or if Clark hadn’t come directly to us and done his rant, I might never have figured it out – or even known that it was out there – and the SSCA board would have, given the number of members who no doubt have heard the rumor, and passed it along, assumed it was true.
I presume you’ve sent your rebuttal to AC; I hope he’s man enough to post a retraction. I unequivocally flog your books; I bought a complete new set before we left this time, even though we’re probably not going to do more
than the Abacos in this trip. I’m about to go back (February), and bemoan the fact that I’m stuck with Navionics (Raymarine plotter), a set which has led to more than one loss, at least one of which I actually saw. We also
summer there, in preference to the god-awful heat and bugs in Vero Beach…
One question: We draw 7′ and depended on your routing in Comer Channel when transiting from Long Island to the Raggeds (as they call them locally). With all the excitement in that area, are there updates of which we should
be aware, or are the current routings still valid?
Maptech puts CDs with their chartbooks; I use OpenCPN as my nav desk backup to that awful Navionics and integrate those to the NOAA set in the US. Have you considered doing the same with your chartbooks? I have no idea how I’d
integrate to my plotter, but at least I could see it on my screen below decks. As it is now, we use your waypoints (including the recent updates you put out from time to time) fearlessly; regardless of what our plotter
shows, we have total confidence in hitting your waypoints. A case in point is the entry from the north in Elizabeth Harbour – a narrow, twisty, awful, butt-puckering ride if you’re not standing on the bow – or using your
waypoints. Otto faithfully pivots at each waypoint and we watch the coral go by on either side, without touching the wheel. Thank you for that!
L8R
Skip
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog
and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog

When a man comes to like a sea life, he is not
fit to live on land.
– Dr. Samuel Johnson

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Farmers Cay Update” plus 1 more
Farmers Cay Update
Posted: 25 Jan 2016 05:51 AM PST
Farmers Cay Yacht Club has announced that its nine moorings in the Harbour have been redone with all new stainless steel chain and line. Also, the dock has been replanked and braced. The restaurant is open from 9 am to midnight.

Satellite Internet – GMN?
Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:44 AM PST
We plan on cruising around Berry Islands, Exumas down to Land & Sea Park and back up to Abacos. I’m particularly concerned about having internet connection in Exumas. I must have at least intermittent access for my US Clients during our 3 mos cruising. Has anyone had any experience with Global Marine Network or can recommend another satellite internet service?
Thanks
CC

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Propane availability” plus 1 more
Propane availability
Posted: 24 Jan 2016 09:21 AM PST
We’ll soon be making our first trip to the Bahamas. We have propane refrigeration. A common “20 lb” exchange tank lasts about 10 days. There’s plenty of info on diesel, gas and dockage availability and prices, but only occasional mentions of propane. Do we exchange or refill? Planning on 3-4 months for maybe a Bimini / Berry / Exumas / Georgetown / Eleuthera loop.
Can ya’ll enlighten me? Tips? Thank you for the help!
Brian Jacobs, sv Presence-ing, 34′ Gemini, 949.715.1400, brian@presence-ing.com

Tide charts?
Posted: 24 Jan 2016 09:19 AM PST
Hello Explorer team,
Forgive me if I’m failing to do my research, but how would you suggest the best way to find exact tides in correlation to Nassau’s listed tides? Am I missing a + or – somewhere that will tell me the tides in Berries/Exumas? Sorry for my ignorance, I felt like I would ask the experts before using the Google.
Thank you for advice!

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: St Kitts
St Kitts
Posted: 22 Jan 2016 04:40 AM PST
Need to work my way from Texas to st kitts getting to Florida I can figure out getting from Florida to st kitts I will need fuel if any one has done this voyage and give some tips of where and where not to go it would be greatly appreciated 50 ft hatteras

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Best spots to anchor and sight see from Nassau going South through the Exumas
Best spots to anchor and sight see from Nassau going South through the Exumas
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 03:21 PM PST
I am bareboat sailing a family trip in March departing out of Nassau and looking for suggestions on (1) best spots to anchor for great activities including snorkeling, swimming, lobster hunting and sightseeing. (2) best anchoring locations for night. We are planning a counter clockwise route leaving Nassau going south through the Exumas and return Nassau. Also any great restaurants along that route to have dinner where we san sailing in. Thanks, Bill

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. In this posting, more on local island school supplies are addressed.

Bahamas Chatter: “I feel your pain” plus 2 more
I feel your pain
Posted: 15 Jan 2016 02:31 PM PST
I spent about 20 years as a land surveyor and was always amazed at the comments that a homeowner would make as I was setting his property corner marker…”That’s not where it goes…They’re all 100′ lots here…Don’t you know how to measure ??? ”
In his mind what I did was a simple task that any idiot could accomplish …I could never figure out what made them think what I did as a seasoned professional was so easy.
This was all before Facebook & the Internet ….At least he had the courage to confront me face to face on the lawn…Sometimes I’d try to enlighten him as to my methods & sometimes I’d walk with him to where he thought his other property corner should be & I’d stretch out the tape to 100’…As you probably have guessed it was always more the 100′ between his two points….With that he would walk back in to his house.
Unfortunately there will be NO poetic justice here but know this ….I for one and countless others have been traveling down your recommended routes with total confidence for 16 years…
Your work product speaks for itself..Having been cruising in these islands in the early 80’s without GPS or even usable Loran with Yachtsman’s Guide sketch charts only, even your very first charts were a welcome & quantum leap forward …
Chin -up mate

Hurricane Joaquin Supplies Missing to Acklins
Posted: 15 Jan 2016 04:28 AM PST
Hello all,
Shortly after the storm, World Jet through pilot, Mr. Edward Hinkley, (561.718.9051) offered to fly needed supplies to Long and Crooked Islands. We boxed up 4 large containers of emergency supplies containing chain saws, starter battery chargers, solar panels, non perishable foods, roofing materials, tarps, ropes, flashlights and clothing, among other things. We dropped the boxes off at World Jet at the airport. The four boxes were from Home Depot and had our names and phone numbers on them, both Bahamian and USA. The boxes were specifically addressed to Mr. Moses Forbes and Mr. Cargain Forbes of Salina Point, Acklins. Moses was the maintenance person in charge of the power plant in Salina Point and Cargain, was a police officer who worked out of the Spring Point Station and lived in Salina Point. Both men were friends of mine many years ago and I wanted to be sure they and their families received the supplies.
I have contacted Mr. Hinkley several times and have not been able to find out where the boxes went. He said that if they didn’t make the plane, they would be shipped by boat. I have tried many times to get through to these two individuals but have no response from them. If anyone knows how to contact them or to find out where the four boxes went, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
David O’Connor
561.386.2692

testing email
Posted: 14 Jan 2016 07:39 AM PST
Cruisers can now comment directly from email. Once you subscribe to the group, please email info@explorercharts.com and request permission to post to Bahamas Chatter via email. Your forum membership will be changed to “author” status at which point you can post or comment directly by sending your message to chatter@explorercharts.com.
Thanks for your participation in this great group of cruisers willing and ready to share ideas and experiences!
Kate Fears

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. In this posting, supply needs of the local island schools are addressed. Please help if you can.

Bahamas Chatter: Long Island Supplies Needed

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 05:44 AM PST
Thanks to a Long Island resident for the following information of interest to the cruising community:

“I would like to give you a broad idea of what we are replacing in the classrooms.”

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SUPPLIES NEEDED GO TO: Long Island Supplies Needed

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: looking for crossing advice or a buddy boat
looking for crossing advice or a buddy boat
Posted: 11 Jan 2016 03:17 PM PST
At the beginning of February, Margaret and I would like to attempt our first crossing to the Bahamas. We would like to go to the Abacos on our 36′ Grand Banks trawler with a cruising speed of around 9 knots. We have considerable cruising experience, having come down from Buffalo NY a few times, and have just returned to the Punta Gorda FL area from the Keys. While we were in Marathon, we met sailors that were waiting for their crossing window. We have the waterway guide. We know we should wait until no north winds are present and the seas calmed, but we seem confused now, so we would like some advice on our plannings:

Should we return to Marathon and head for the Bahamas via the Hawk Channel?
Should we cross the Okeechobee and use an east coast port? Which one and why?
Should we head directly for the Abacos or go to Bimini first?
Is anyone with experience going there about this time. Can we join you?
Smooth waters, and thanks. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Margaret and Bob Kaine, Beyond The Sea

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: Cruising Permit The Bahamas – One Night Stay?
Cruising Permit The Bahamas – One Night Stay?
Posted: 06 Jan 2016 04:40 AM PST
In the case of an overnight trip from, let’s say, North Palm Beach to West End Grand Bahamas, is the cruiser required to purchase a cruising permit at full price upon arrival at West End? Or, is the cruising permit required only if planning to stay over a specific number of days?

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: “New Responses to Fuel Survey”
New Responses to Fuel Survey
Posted: 05 Jan 2016 08:26 AM PST
After the holidays, we have had a couple more responses to our request for updates on our monthly Fuel and Dockage Survey. Here’s what’s been added to the listing:

Treasure Cay Marina, diesel $4.24

Bimini Bluewater Marina. Diesel $4.20, Gas $4.55.

We appreciate those of you who have sent us prices as you get fuel along the way. There still are many marinas we haven’t heard from, so we hope you will send any new information that you may get on your next fuel stop.
Thanks,
Monty

New Responses to Fuel Survey
Posted: 05 Jan 2016 08:26 AM PST
After the holidays, we have had a couple more responses to our request for updates on our monthly Fuel and Dockage Survey. Here’s what’s been added to the listing:

Treasure Cay Marina, diesel $4.24

Bimini Bluewater Marina. Diesel $4.20, Gas $4.55.

We appreciate those of you who have sent us prices as you get fuel along the way. There still are many marinas we haven’t heard from, so we hope you will send any new information that you may get on your next fuel stop.

Thanks,

Monty

Garmin Charts
Posted: 05 Jan 2016 04:36 AM PST
Are explorer charts available for Garmin chart plotters ?

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: “A Nassau Alternative” plus 1 more
A Nassau Alternative
Posted: 04 Jan 2016 04:16 PM PST
For years, we have gone through Nassau Harbour on our way to the Exumas, sometimes stopping at a marina, sometimes pushing on across the Yellow Bank. This year we tried something new: We went outside of Paradise Island (it was New Years Day and the tour boats were like locusts) for a beautiful view of Atlantis and the rest of the island. We came in on the eastern end of the harbour and went around the corner to Palm Cay Marina on the southeast coast.

We were more than delighted with our stay there. First of all, after a warm and rolly day at sea across the Northeast Providence Channel, we were refreshed with a dip in the saltwater pool overlooking the Yellow Bank. The use of the courtesy car allowed us to go to the nearby locals supermarket, Super Value, and stock up for better prices than we would find on Bay Street. The staff was friendly and helpful and made our short stay most pleasant and the dockage rates were no higher than in the harbour, in some cases less expensive. There is a lovely restaurant, a tiki bar on the beach, a laundry, and a small gift shop. Exiting the next morning for the Exumas was quick and easy from there, a straight shot out and across the Yellow Bank.

Make sure you arrive before dark as a security chain blocks the entrance in the nighttime.

Berry Islands: A Not-so-overlooked Cruising Ground
Posted: 04 Jan 2016 04:04 PM PST
Often the Berry Islands are “fly-over” territory for Bahamas cruisers headed to Nassau or the Exumas or beyond. Yet their popularity has increased as evidenced by greater numbers of boats lingering and enjoying the beautiful clear water, the great fishing, the possibility for secluded anchorages. Indeed, many folks are spending the entire winter cruising season there, gunkholing about or extending their stay at the excellent Great Harbour Cay Marina for some reasonable dockage fees. The marina staff goes out of their way to make guests feel at home and taken care of, to the smallest details. And it is a very secure all-around protection from bad weather. The village of Bullocks Harbour has some services to offer with two excellent beachfront restaurants for special dining, in addition to the village cafes. Several flights a day come in and out of Nassau, plus several times a week from Ft. Lauderdale, making it more accessible to bring visitors in to yachts.

Of course, there is also Chub Cay Marina, which is often a stopover for boats transiting the Bank or anglers eager to catch the big fish. And don’t forget the iconic Flo’s Conch Bar at Little Harbour Cay, where Chester greets you with a smile and serves up some of his mom’s recipe of conch fritters.

For the flyfishing enthusiast, there are miles of flats where the elusive bonefish lure fishermen to try to catch them.

The string of cays from Stirrup to Chub present a number of choices for enjoying this beautiful archipelago.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Checking in at Bimini
Posted: 03 Jan 2016 04:07 AM PST
We are jumping from F Lauderdale to Bimini, when the weather clears, and would like to know if North or South is a more convenient check in to get a 90 day cruising permit? We’ve been told that you must go to the airport on South Bimini, and that North might make you pull into a marina to clear. We are quiet, nature loving cruisers, who prefer good holding to Bars and Marinas… But we want the fastest clearance possible. Thanks for the advice!

Skipper Hugh is looking for 3 months storage in the Bahamas. If you are familiar with boat yards/marinas in the Bahamas, let us hear from you. In the meantime, we suggest that Hugh dig into Explorer Chartbooks, a SSECN Partner, for information on long term storage.

About to leave SW Florida for my first Bahamas trip on my 36′ monohull sailboat. Plan to sail through June or July 2016 and then find somewhere to leave the boat preferably on the hard.
Any suggestions as to somewhere to be hauled for about 3months?
Hugh
Sea Otter
Islander Freeport 36

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: N W Channel Light

Bahamas Chatter: Needed Items for Long Island
Needed Items for Long Island
Posted: 14 Dec 2015 11:36 AM PST
From a Long Island resident, here are some of the many things that would be appreciated for any of the southeast Bahama islands that were hit so hard by Hurricane Joaquin:

Household items is next- pillows, bedding, plates, pots n pans, silverware, cooking utensils- you know. Those things you take for granted till you are missing them- mixing bowls, wooden spoons, serving utensils, storage containers, cutting boards, knives, cups, rugs’¦’¦..Most houses that are being built are at drywall stage. Some still need windows and doors but I know you all couldn’t get away with those!! lol

ANYTHING someone somewhere on this island can use- trust me!

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

Bahamas Chatter: N W Channel Light
N W Channel Light
Posted: 11 Dec 2015 04:29 AM PST
As of Dec. 7 ’15, the new marker at NW Channel was NOT lit. Also noted at present time, is that diesel at Bimini was $4.25, at Chub , $4.90.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

We are Canadian and usually winter in Florida. This year we came with our yacht and are looking forward to spend February in the Bahamas. We are in search of useful info.
Thank you
Andre Lefleche

Andre, Explorer Chartbooks and their Bahamas Chatter is SSECN’s recommendation for information on the Bahamas. We wish you smooth sailing!

The SSECN Team