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What's the longest distance?

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Phildoo

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I'm thinking about running my 98 speedster from lauderdale to the Bahamas. Anyone ever done it??.. Will it carry enough fuel?..I know, it will be a rough ride but you only live once.
 
Sounds like a good time. I'm not sure how far that is but I dont think it would carry aywhere near the amount of fuel needed. I've gone through 3/4 of a tank before in like 45 minutes. At 50 mph that would only get you like 40 miles. Thats at WOT though.
 
I'm thinking about running my 98 speedster from lauderdale to the Bahamas. Anyone ever done it??.. Will it carry enough fuel?..I know, it will be a rough ride but you only live once.

There's a group of jet ski riders on pwcflorida.com that have done it and have ride for July.
You could check with someone there who has done it.
I'm in for the trip
I think from Ft Lauderdale its a 3hr trip.
 
There's a group of jet ski riders on pwcflorida.com that have done it and have ride for July.
You could check with someone there who has done it.
I'm in for the trip
I think from Ft Lauderdale its a 3hr trip.

do they carry fuel with them or is there some island to stop along the way?
 
Ok.. Great input guys :)..
According to powerboat forum.. The first island is 2 hours away @ 30 mph. Less than an hour if doing 60.
Fully loaded I'm thinking 45?.. With no swells..
Plenty of room to tuck away 15 gallons somewhere.
I've seen reports of jetskis makeing it taking 5 of extra.
Guess I'm gonna have to do a river run and go from there. Highly doubt WOT is even possible. Thinking 25-35...
 
Who's robert? :confused: I'm actually Rich, but you could call me Robert I guess.....beats lots of other names ive been called. :cheers


That video is pretty cool. Actually looks like a lot of fun. those racks they have on the back are pretty sweet.
 
Who's robert? :confused: I'm actually Rich, but you could call me Robert I guess.....beats lots of other names ive been called. :cheers


That video is pretty cool. Actually looks like a lot of fun. those racks they have on the back are pretty sweet.

:rolleyes:
Lol my bad.
looking forward to that run come july.
crystal blue waters....
 
You guys are kinda getting off topic here..lol.. My buddy thinks it can be done easily. He has a exciter and a 40 ft boat so he knows what he's talkin about.. Just need to carry extra fuel..
I think..
 
I'm sure it can be done with extra fuel. If they can do it on jet skis im sure your boat will do it fine.
 
Take extra fuel, a cell phone, a GPS, a radio, and make sure someone knows you are going, and Give them an arrival time window, so if they don't hear from you... they send the Cost Guard.

When I lived in SoCal... I did Catalina... but that's only 26 mi. BUT... once you get a couple miles away from land... a light swell day gets crazy, and you can't see land. I started out one day with 3ft swells... and I turned back. Remember... a 3ft swell is from MSL. So, it also has a 3ft valley.

Do it… but be safe.

Final word on this… try not to use more than 75% power. That’s about where your best speed/distance/fuel economy lives.
 
You guys are kinda getting off topic here..lol.. My buddy thinks it can be done easily. He has a exciter and a 40 ft boat so he knows what he's talkin about.. Just need to carry extra fuel..
I think..

I'm sure it can be done with extra fuel. If they can do it on jet skis im sure your boat will do it fine.

That's what I was trying to point out.
Your 98 speedster is the less efficient two stroke with the larger 787 vs 717 engine so extra fuel would be needed.
That way you avoid gas prices in Bimini on the return.

You planning on going solo. No other boats???
 
The ski trip to Bimini (called Bimini Road Rally) is done with offshore boat escorts that carry extra fuel and they have a rule that you are only allowed to come with them if your ski has a 4 stroke. I'm guessing that the thought is that the 2 strokes are more prone to breaking down, need oil too, and are more gas hungry.

Here's some info on it
http://www.watertopevents.com/events/Bimini_Road_Rally.html

Other people obviously make the trip too, and I think it would an amazing time... its definitely on my "bucket list". Personally, I'm probably going to wait until I can afford an RXP or RXT (which will not be for a few years).

Here's a youtube vid of some people that made the trip... its absolutely gorgeous down there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ke76G4GQ8
 
Getting there is the goal toting extra fuel. Can always refuel there. But would like to hit the islands. So I'm thinking if easily possible to make it there with no problems..
 
The biggest problem I see is spending like $600 on fuel and oil. Doing it on a ski sounds much more enticing to me.
 
We use to do a 40 mile ride from Toledo to Put-N-Bay on my parents 28ft on Lake Erie and some times those 3fts made it hard to do 25mph. we go out in 3ft waves in my 18ft seadoo and when your against the wind it gets to be a really rough ride.
My buddy has a 2010 38ft Searay and it's way more fun for a long ride with that...lol
 
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Bahamas

It is really simple, It is 50 miles from Miami to the first island chain, Bimini. Any Sea Doo product can make 50 miles, BUT due to changing weather it is a good idea to have extra fuel and to only try and make the trip at 30 MPH as that is the usually the best cruise range for most Jet boats. Even if you are doing it with a group, Carry a Marine radio and a SPOT satellite transmitter. They are cheap about $150. and you can use it to check in with family and friends and give them your locations, But the big deal is, it can be used as an epirb and call the coast guard and give them your location if you need help. There are a lot of groups doing this and will be easy to find one to go with. You just have to watch weather and usually good idea to leave extreamly early in the mornings with waves are calmest. I just purchased a speedster myself and will doing a couple of those trips late spring, early summer all the way down to the Exuma island chain.
Matt
 
LOL...I just upgraded to a Speedster200 also mainly because I want to do this trip this year!! Really like the thought of having 2 engines!!

From what I have been reading it's best to do the trip within June and with a small group of 4 or so. there is a thread going on GreenHulk about this up coming trip under the SE Rides section. It is 53 miles from Miami to Bimini so should be able to do the trip on a full tank of fuel, but because of the huge amount of extra storage now on my new boat I will be bringing allot of extra fuel for the return trip also.

I have done quite a bit of research on resorts ect. so if anyone is really interested in joining us on the trip PM me and I would be more then happy to share what I have researched!!
 
Having made this trip many times, albeit in a MUCH MUCH larger boat, I can tell you it can be VERY rough. I have seen where there is a 2-3' swell at Miami and 6' waves when you get to the Gulf Stream. You really have to pick your time if you are going in a small boat.

From Ft. Lauderdale the closest point in the Bahamas are the Biminis. All the marinas are on the east side of the islands. Your trip is really around 60 nm or 65 mile. From there, any other island is at least another 60 nm.

The reason most do it on a jet ski is that if you get swamped, you can get back on and go. In a boat, it is very different. These boats are not made for ocean crossings. If you are not use to blue water boating, it can be very dangerous.

I suggest you practice boating near shore in the ocean for a while to see how your boat handles. One wave on the beam and you could broach or swamp. I also suggest you take a safe boating course from the Coast Guard Aux. or the Power Squadrons.

Since you have to contend with real waves, you will not be doing 50mph. More likely something below 30mph if you are lucky. Slower is often better. Three hours of pounding and you will be very tired. In addition, you will find that you can not go in a straight line. You will have to tack a little to take the waves on the quarter, this will increase the distance and fuel usage. Be prepared to get very wet. If you try to go too fast or don't read the sea correctly, you will get into trouble.

I am not saying it can't be done, but you had better be prepared.

Make sure your boat is in top condition. Leave early in the morning, you do not want to be traveling at night. Have a waterproof vhf radio or two and know how to use them. Cell phones don't always work and the Coast Guard does not monitor them. Wear a type I or II pfd. The little type III jackets will not cut it if you go in. Have a GPS so you know where you are and where you are going. Get a nautical chart and know how to read it. Plot your course before hand and use waypoints. Make sure you have plenty of drinking water, extra fuel, oil, and food. Make a float plan and leave it with somebody on shore. Make sure everything is tied down, you do not want a gerry can of fuel banging around your boat.

DO NOT try this alone. If you can't get other boats to go with you, hook up with a large yacht and follow them. Most captains wouldn't mind and their passengers would probably find it interesting.

This could be a cool trip, if you are prepared.
 
Bahamas

There are two groups going all the way to the Exuma Island chain this year. One is leaving April 10th, about 11 pwc's. The other is going in June a mix of PWC's and jet boats.
 
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