I migrated from Facebook... this was awe-inspiring and chilling! Awesome boat, and thanks for explaining and sharing!

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Thank you for your great comments! It was challenging and the Whaler tackled it brilliantly.

Been there. Done that. Watched the radar during lunch in Bimini. No storms, so we headed out on fair seas. Halfway the first storm hit. No other boats were around. Kept going, then the second storm hit us. Center console became detached resulting in no electronics. I asked the captain, "Should we put on floatation devices?" He said, "You don't want to be out here that long," as he ditched the bait. Finally, I could see the buildings of Ft. Lauderdale. What a relief!

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Wow that sounds exactly like what happened to us. Storms can happen at any time!! It was brutal but a huge learning experience too. Very confident in my boat and equipment now! I will have the main Bimini video out in about a week. Going to pin your comment.

Gotta say there’s plenty here trashing you but besides all the the negative yapping I must say you did a great job at keeping focused and maintaining everyone calm as well as using the conditions to favor the vessel’s capabilities. Realty is that area is very tricky and storm cells come and go without much notice as it’s in the area that warmer water/air hit the cooler northern water/air specially during our hurricane season. I’ve done that crossing multiple times and it’s very common to read 1-2’s and actually be flat as glass to then run into 2-3’s for 2-5 miles to then become flat again. So if you’ve never been in that particular area or crossing your yapping without understanding the possibilities that you can encounter. Sure there’s lessons learned but you mastered the true attributes of maintaining control. Thanks for the content and information it helps guys like me become better navigators!

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

For those who know and are out there all the time, you know. Your words are perfectly stated. All the armchair captains who say they are experienced yet have never somehow "experienced" pop up storms in that area is quite humorous. Do they really think we just randomly decided to go run into storms for the fun of it? In that area storms pop up in perfect conditions just as easily. As you hear me say in the video once we reached the halfway point, "looks like smooth sailing now to Fort Lauderdale." In the open seas, weather can change quickly just as it did for us. Indeed it tested me and others and was a tremendous learning experience. Don't wish for it in the future to happen again, but confident I can address it when, not if, it arises again.

Excellent video and explanation! Thanks for the shoutout!

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

You bet! An epic time! Thank you for sending the great vids, now forward it to your friends and say "look what I survived!"

You got extremely lucky. I’ve had a captains license for 30- years, ran fishing charters for that time. I never would have put my passengers in that situation. Especially in a bow rider. I hope you learned something from this experience.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

The video was really intended to be educational and to "learn from this," and not a brag. Never taking that risk again! Could have been worse.

@danzick5694

14 күн бұрын

I agree. Not till later were they wearing Life jackets!

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Yes correct.

@nickdrouin7142

13 күн бұрын

What baffles me, is that 10 captains made the call to cross with impending weather. Not one spoke up?

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Everyone saw the same data. We crossed in 2 hours and 15 minutes, had a 3.5 hour storm gap. The squalls that popped up were not predicted nor visible when we left. This happens frequently. However I have since been made aware of CAPE readings which can help determine the probability of storm pop ups in your route. Gold level info.

I made a similar stupid decision once and ended up in 8-10's. It never happened again! I think you did a wonderful job once you were in it. Good job getting everybody back safely. This will be a good teaching tool for boaters when not to go as well.

@sandbarserenity

12 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for your comments. Indeed it won't happen again and I hope a fair amount folks who watch this video see just how fast conditions can degrade from 2-4 foot rollers into 5 to 7 foot seas. Note that at the halfway point of the trip I actually say, "looks like smooth sailing from here to Fort Lauderdale." 10 minutes later storm 1 and then storm 2. On the positive side, I am a much better captain after encountering the storms than before entering them, as I am sure you are too!

That’s a lot of sea for little boats! Glad you made it through.

@sandbarserenity

11 күн бұрын

Indeed it was, not looking for a repeat performance!

Thank you for the great footage. Lovely to view from the safety of my recliner.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

Hahahaha, indeed!

Great strategy, good results 👍. Thanks for good info. This crossing is on my bucket list

@sandbarserenity

6 күн бұрын

The results of being in the Bahamas are well worth it!

That was an intense trip! Glad y'all made it back safely and thanks for filming it and sharing it! We are making a trip from Stuart to Marsh Harbor next month.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! Expect pop-up storms on a trip that long. This was a learning video and cautionary tale for other boaters. Love the Abacos, enjoy!!

@mattyjdyoutub

15 күн бұрын

Just don't do what they did. 2 hr window to go 55 miles in a small boat is not enough of a window. Certainly not with limited fuel capacity.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

@@mattyjdyoutub just to clarify, we only needed a two hour window. The storm window available was actually 3.5 plus. The pop up storms were not predicted and the weather apps only showed seas of 1 to 2 feet. When we arrived at 930, after leaving at 7 am, the weather apps then only showed 3 to 5 feet.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

@mattyjdyoutub had plenty of fuel finished with 65 gallons in the tank plus 5 reserve. Enough to do the trip all over again and then some.

@BennettBarry

15 күн бұрын

Unfortunately the weather is not always predictable. We're leaving at 6am and running 180 miles. 3 stops for fuel.

Amazing!!

@sandbarserenity

8 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!

That is some crazy stuff!

@sandbarserenity

17 күн бұрын

I have never been in that type of weather before and don't plan to again!!

@mattyjdyoutub

15 күн бұрын

Insane...like should be put in an asylum.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

5 to 7 foot seas are common, most people just don't have cameras available to record them. If you are prepared and have quality equipment then you can brave those storms. Weather pops up frequently, you have to adapt and move forward. Not saying I am going hunting for it though!!

First off glad to see you all made it unhurt. I would say you got lucky. Small, open bow boats in that kind of weather is a disaster waiting to happen. Only take one over the bow to sink it. I've been in those shoes before, letting time dictate travel. I've also learned the hard way the ocean doesn't care about your schedule. After over 30 years of ocean travel, I've learned to choose safety over schedules. I've left in 3-5 and came through 12-15 twice. Anything over 2 and clear skies I'm not crossing with my family and I'm in a 40-footer.

@sandbarserenity

12 күн бұрын

Indeed, truer words have never been spoken!

Ah geez, couple of boats out when they should have stayed in. It looks like you had some fun and got lucky to get across. I don't know what the heck you were thinking.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

The pop up storm was what hurt! The rest of the trip was fine. Yes we did indeed get lucky. It could have been far worse! But we made it and learned a great! I take the challenge and accept the punishment!

@KevinSmith-xi2gx

16 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity "We're heading out on a stormy morning" is not the way to start a crossing like that in boats of this size. I'm glad it wasn't worse and everyone made the crossing safely, but man, your number will come up if you keep tempting fate like that. That crossing is notorious and those boats are too small for less than ideal conditions.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

Absolutely agree, not doing that again.!! That area is littered with wrecks! Will learn from the experience and move forward!

@AmericaFirstFLL

9 күн бұрын

These are the go - no go decisions airplane pilots face. Small airplanes don’t do well in storms either.

@sandbarserenity

9 күн бұрын

Absolutely, a friend of mine who flies A380s was giving me a full download on his thoughts about the weather too, from a pilot's perspective.

Great fun

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

indeed it was, what a challenge! Also not ever doing it again!

In a small craft!! Amazing

@sandbarserenity

17 күн бұрын

Thank you, amazing trip and amazing people!

@romanmaimo1468

15 күн бұрын

I did this trip from Freeport Bahamas to Miami it took us 12 hours in 10 to 15 foot waves very scary when you lose one engine and we were by ourselves I know the feeling rough but I’m experience check the weather first

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Omg, you definitely get the courage award! I cannot imagine 12 hours of pounding and being an engine down!!! That is real fear and exhaustion!

You’re very lucky. I believe I would have remained in port. Glad you’re all safe.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Yes indeed!! Thank you.

Excellent video sir. other than the yappy negative commenters. I want to say thanks for the video. The seas are like weathermen. They can change in the blink of an eye. What seems to be an awesome clear day can turn drastic with pop-up storms. But keeping a solid grasp on the helm rather than panicking and fetalling up is what great sailors do. You don't want to ever be caught in bad storms, but sometimes crap happens. Doing the tack northwest (from the chart plotter) worked well for you. You played the hand you were dealt and played well. I'm sure a lot was learned from your trip.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Absolute facts, I couldn't have said it better. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I am amazed at the supposed " captains " who have commented on this video who don't know these basics. I think in other video posts, they may also randomly become scientists, doctors, and lawyers of more than 20 years too.

I've been through some stuff almost this bad. Absolutely terrifying to go through what you did. I'll never do that

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

I plan to never do it again! But I also hope others can learn from this video.

Man that sucks glad you made it! Could of been bad especially for that sea ray. I know how fast the ocean can change being an offshore fisherman my whole life in NJ.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

It can change drastically very quickly. Thank you for your comments. The Sea Ray tucked in behind a 330 Outrage to let it knock down some of the bigger waves. But yes they still had a tough ride.

Boston whaler make great heavy solid boats love too see this rough crossing in a freeman

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

It would eat it up just like the Whaler did!

Rule 1. BIGGER BOAT. Rule 2. Don't be this guy ❤

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Amen to both. View this as an educational video!

This video is very informative. Unpredictable weather happens. You’ve got brass ones to try to squeeze a trip between two storms. Going north probably saved your lives. Not just because of fuel, but the north current going over your bow. How did the other boats in your caravan fare?

@sandbarserenity

7 сағат бұрын

Thank you for your comments, that is the intended purpose, to inform. I hope it helps others who may get caught. The other boats were all Boston Whalers and did very well. The Sea Ray was 25 feet and was the smallest. It got tossed a bit so it tucked in behind a 330 Outrage and did ok. All the Whalers performed brilliantly. Yes, going north and turning waves hitting my beam into a following sea was the strategy and it worked amazing. After the storms, I just turned due south and had no issues. My Boston Whaler 280 Vantage can handle a lot more than I can, it did awesome. I am a much better captain now having gone through it. I have had many say to me in comments...Good sailors aren't made on calm seas.

Thank you for showing me what not to do.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Indeed!!

How long it took you to get to FL. About 3 years ago we got bad weather on our way to Bimini (5 to 7) and it took us about 5 hrs to get there.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

It only took 2 hours. We stayed between 27 to 30 mph. Surfing the boat allowed me to maintain forward speed when you would normally slow down.

What day was this? When you passed by Sea Crest, we were on the end of the dock in your video. We crossed back Bimini to Palm Beach Friday, June 14.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

7am June 11

Everybody looks nervous except for Grandpa he like fuck yeah let's go do it again 🤙👊 surf's up dudes

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

he was definitely chill and focused!

As a captain my thoughts are simple, knowing you were going into questionable weather without realizing your fuel consumption is highly concerning, but to offset it you used the waves to surf off of....but even then I am surprised you didn't put your bow cover on in an attempt to prevent a wave from swamping the boat if you mis calculated a rogue wave and by doing so it would have also kept your passengers warmer. The rule of thumb is if the waves are expected to be higher than the sides of your boat for any duration you may want to reconsider your trip. I'm sorry I cant applaud your actions after seeing how you rolled at minute 4:27.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

Best comment of the day!! First, the videos are from two different boats. The boat that rolled was a Sea Ray 250 SLX. My boat is a Boston Whaler 280 Vantage. Second, I was aware of my fuel consumption every second and calculated how much I would need to fight seas the entire way prior to leaving. My maneuvers were strictly intended to preserve every ounce of fuel I could. I ended up with over 65 gallons in the tank remaining, plus I had a 5 gallon reserve tank onboard. I had enough starting fuel to easily burn at the rate of 2 gallons per mile and make it home fine. I did not leave Bimini short on gas at all, rather, was just taking every step to ensure there was ample fuel at every step. Awesome comments!

@Tony_TheAncientWorldReimagined

16 күн бұрын

my first thought was they must have had to lol. I would never lol Good thing that have a good boat big boy shit would had been to leave days laters lol

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

yes indeed, correct on all counts!

@michaelcameron8855

16 күн бұрын

Two things I’m having a hard time understanding. You say a 2 hour weather window, but the radar showed that 2 hour gap was moving offshore. Even without the cells that popped up, you were going to get hit before you made it home. So you had 60 miles of ocean to cross and you were trying to catch a 2 hour window between cells. No way were you going to maintain 30mph. Where I’m going with this, you completely miscalculated the time to get across and the likelihood of a cell popping up in the gap between the cells on radar when you left. You were going to get hit no matter what you did. Fortunately it wasn’t a REALLY bad cell or we would be dolphin fishing on a string of capsized boats up here off SC about now. Secondly, your fuel. I don’t follow your calculations. First rule of planning how far you can run - know how much fuel you need for the pickups to not suck air regardless of how rough it is. Subtract that from the total gallons in the tank. 100 gallon tank - 10 gallons to keep the pickup fully supplied means you have 90 gallons available to burn. Rule of thirds - 1/3 going out, 1/3 coming back, 1/3 for contingency. I know gas in Bimini is higher than giraffe ninnies, but why would you not top off knowing you are headed into some nasty weather? Sorry for the long rant. Glad you posted this for others to learn, but this was not good decision-making on many levels. Stay safe out there. Mother Nature doesn’t play favorites and she doesn’t give mulligans.

@ajhorta6553

16 күн бұрын

Agian not ideal boats to be going out there

Wow glad you all are okay. The open ocean is its own world.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

Absolutely 💯!! And changes conditions drastically!!

Great video. Question on the fuel consumption calculations, were you going by the fuel flow or were you going by the remaining fuel quantity indications? Specifically, wondering about the accuracy during the rough seas on the return.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

I was looking at both actually. I started with 104 gallons with boat floating level and finished with 65 gallons. At halfway I was at 80. I was also watching fuel flow rate on the Simrad in real time. But,, I was throttling up and down so much that fuel flow rate was a constant variable. So basically I was estimating with fuel flow rate. The real tell was the fuel level at the endl.

@mattyjdyoutub

15 күн бұрын

Great video on what not to do.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

It is a video to demonstrate that seas and weather are unpredictable. The weather apps showed 1 to 2 feet at departure, and only updated to 3 to 5 feet upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale. Moral of the story, always be prepared and have good equipment because weather can pop up and happen whether you want it to or not!

I was going to give my 2 cents but seen other have. You were lucky this time.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

Indeed, plenty of loose change in the comments. Yes we had a sporty trip! The video of the awesome days preceding this video will drop soon.

Wow! Omg

@sandbarserenity

17 күн бұрын

yes, the waves were pretty high but spirits were up!

Remember that famous line; "I think we need a bigger boat." Open bow & Center Console boats simply don't belong out there.

@sandbarserenity

2 күн бұрын

Those types of vessels are the overwhelming majority of boats in this environment. They go all the way up to 52 ft. These vessels are plenty capable of handling these situations. But as always, buy quality not size!

Scary. I owned a Grady White 33’ Canyon with SeaKeeper. It was my favorite boat so far. Did any of the small boats significantly outperform the others?

@sandbarserenity

9 күн бұрын

Yes, that Grady is an awesome boat! The Boston Whalers definitely did great. My BW 280 Vantage performed brilliantly. The 250 SLX Sea Ray tucked in behind a BW 330 Outrage so it was not out there on its own. The Outrage was knocking down waves for it.

In the keys we fish that weather weekly

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Hahaha, indeed!! I've been there many times catching lobster in foul weather too!

I have to say the conditions looked suspect from the beginning. Looking for near perfect conditions in that boat or any other.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

In that area, that is a near impossibility. There is always weather. But yes, I hear you! We were definitely not looking for this.

Glad all were safe. PFDs are advisable for ALL (yes, some were shown worn), for the entirety of such a crossing. Too many adults are PFD averse. (lookin at you fellas) Every day PFDs save lives. Military, LEOs, Fire & Rescue, Coast Guard, etc. all wear them for good reasons. Worldwide today ZERO people wearing a PFD will drown (ok, maybe a couple in some outliers cases will drown, but you can set the example...)

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

Absolutely agree!

Reading through the comments and I am glad you seem to have learned your lesson. Fact is you have a fair weather boat. Crossing can be safe on a good day, but if there is any question put your family on a plane and come back for the boat another day. You don't have a "2 hour window" boat. The only reason you could follow the seas is your boat is so small. If you had a bigger seaRay you would have stuffed the bow. On that note, what would any of you had done if another boat had difficulty? Just a laundry list of foolish choices. Only positive is that lady in the sun hat has amazing eyes! Lessons learned, and smooth seas.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

I don't have a Sea Ray. I have a Boston Whaler 280 Vantage. The Sea Ray was a travel companion, there were 11 of us. In poor conditions, there is little that can be done even if you are right next to another boat. I have tried transferring passengers to my boat in relatively flat seas and it is extremely difficult, much less with 2 to 3 foot seas. One of our biggest foolish choices was giving a bit of reliance to the weather apps telling us that seas were 2 to 3 feet. When we arrived in Ft. Laud the apps said only 3 to 5. Of course, no one can predict pop up storms which is what we ran into. As I mention at the halfway point in the video, "looks like smooth sailing from here to Fort Lauderdale," 10 minutes later pop up storm number 1, then 2.

@adamb13

14 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity "Of course, no one can predict pop up storms which is what we ran into" --- google and read about CAPE, "convective available potential energy." it is essentially a measure of volatility in the atmosphere. if the values are too high, there is a high likelihood of unforecasted storms to develop randomly, ESPECIALLY in the summer afternoons off the florida coast!! welcome to boating.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Awesome thank you, great tip. Is there an app that you use that displays this info so it is readily available?

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

I just found that index in my Windy app. Thanks so much!

Is it common for Floridians to take boats designed for lakes and rivers use across the Gulf Stream? Really surprised to see this is something done in those vessels.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Not only is it common, but many people actually take wave runners to the Bahamas and back. Very common.

@scottmonroe1802

15 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity Wow.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Just search in KZread "Bahamas by waverunner" or a variation of that. They strap gas tanks to the back of the waverunners and go. That is crazy stuff!

@mattyjdyoutub

15 күн бұрын

Except they do not thread the needle on the storm window. At least the smart ones.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

We had a 3.5 hour plus storm window and only needed just over 2 to cross. We left at 7am and arrived at 9:15am.

2 hrs weather window? That's hilarious. I think the next time you mention to the wives hey honey do you want to go to Bimini this weekend their answers might be different

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

To clarify what I said, we only needed a needed a two hour weather window to make the trip. The actual window was 3.5 plus. The pop up storms worked against us. We left at 7am and arrived at 9:15. Weather didn't arrive in Fort Lauderdale until around 11.

Good sailors aren't made on calm days

@sandbarserenity

18 сағат бұрын

Brilliant! So very true, we are much better captains now than prior to entering the storms!

wow great footage. So did you get wet?

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

We arrived slightly damp in some areas!!

@user-ou2lf5gz8i

14 күн бұрын

Soaking Wet!!! 😮

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Ok, soaking is more appropriate...lol

Not sure why you would want to put yourself in danger like that, I would have told y'all to go ahead, I am staying put! happy you made it home, but I think you wouldn't do that again right

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

💯...not doing that again. But much more skilled after the storms than before!

A few thoughts. You were in an area of unstable tropical weather. Knowing this, you should have stayed put. No one in your group wanted to be the guy saying NO. This could have been a disaster because you had a “window of opportunity”. Several things stand out. Life jackets should have been put on and I mean the real deal, not jet ski floatation devices. Color of clothing. Too many dark tops. Rescue teams cannot see you if you are wearing a dark color. A bow rider? Oh my God. No no no. Having numerous boats travel together is a good idea, but no number of boats can compensate for rough sea conditions. You are very very fortunate to have come through that ordeal. I hope you get a different boat for future crossings. Stay inshore with that SeaRay. However, you did handle the boat well, and I am so glad you all survived. It is a very BIG ocean and your passengers could have been swallowed up in an instant. Life is precious, and the sea doesn’t have any pity. None.

@sandbarserenity

11 күн бұрын

Brilliant comments, thank you for the constructive information. Yes, mistakes were made and we are all better for it now. My post trip analysis included a lot of what you advised...we are far better captains after exiting the storms than prior to going in. Concepts are now real! I have a Boston Whaler 280 Vantage. The SeaRay was with us and tucked in behind a 330 Outrage to dampen the swells. Still a tense and rough ride for them. Thank you for writing.

Engine failure would have taken a few generations this day.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

I have lost engines to and from the Bahamas. That is always on my mind unlike others who have never experienced that issue. I purposely bought this boat and engine combo because I could make it back on 1 engine. Stayed with naturally aspirated over supercharged, avoided larger heavier boats etc. This is always on my mind. I have lost two engines prior to to this on two trips. This is a newer boat (2023) with 50 hours, so I was very confident in the package and had it serviced just prior to leaving.

Why take the chance ??

@sandbarserenity

8 күн бұрын

Storms occur in that region all the time. I have been on clear days and then had conditions change drastically. It is not unusual. We had a 3.5 hour window, we only needed 2. Everything was calculated, starting the night before and watching weather beginning at 4 am the morning of our departure.

@rski1036

2 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity So much for your "great" calculations. Get a larger boat or forget about future crossings.

@sandbarserenity

2 күн бұрын

People do these crossings on waverunners and 23 foot bay boats. Just search in KZread to find the multitude of videos. My 28 foot Boston Whaler is made to handle offshore conditions and performed brilliantly. Bigger doesn't mean safer. The construction of the boat is key. That is why I have Whaler.

Why not just stay in and wait for the storm to pass.🤷

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

The storm would not be over for three additional days.

Holy smokes. Would've been white knuckled the whole way.

@sandbarserenity

8 күн бұрын

We were, but you also focus on each wave and are pretty occupied!

Conditions weren't good when you left

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

They were 3 foot seas when we left. Definitely foreshadowing events to come.

Can only push your luck so many times…

@sandbarserenity

7 күн бұрын

100%, never looking for a repeat performance! But much better prepared now than before the storm!

Please get some inflatable pfds with beacons and whistles for adults it’s nearly impossible to even see much less rescue someone in large waves especially going at high speeds you’ll never slow down in time and spot them. For kids glad you had jet ski jackets but you should swap them out for offshore jackets in this weather.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

100% facts

Loss of an engine would have been disaster. Loss of power from saturation would have been disaster. Whoever was running bowriders should lose their insurance.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

I have had the unfortunate experience twice, of losing an engine. Specifically purchased my BW 280 Vantage because it can easily get on plane with 1 engine.

Those aren't 7 footers, maybe 4 to 5

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Unfortunately, we all had cameras down during the higher wave heights. For most of the trip and during storm 1 you are absolutely correct. 4 to 5 was the norm. Later on the wave heights we're higher than my hard top...easily 7.

I’ve made that crossing dozens of times in 50 -60’ sport fish boats. You shouldn’t have done that.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

I'll go with you next time!

That was not fun! I bet many of the guests will never make the trip again.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

There may be one or two who are challenged, but practically everyone else accepted the challenge and fought through and posted series of texts stating ready to go again!! The storms did not have the effect you would genuinely think!!

It's only 50 miles? We run 120 to Walkers in same seas😂

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

Then you, sir, are the definition of awesome!! 😎

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

What boat do you have??

Should have waited a day as soon as you stuck the nose out at Bimini. Boating on a schedule never goes well.

@sandbarserenity

12 күн бұрын

Indeed, schedules are not good. It would not have been just a day. Rather, it was going to be 3 to 4 before the system blew through. Conditions were only going to deteriorate worse from Tuesday to Friday.

Why are you so concerned about recording in a small bow rider? In a boat that small you should be waiting out bad weather.

@sandbarserenity

11 күн бұрын

The weather was going to last until Friday , 3.5 days more.

@rski1036

2 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity So what, and if you were in that much of a hurry there's an airport with 5,000 ft. runway on South Bimini.

@sandbarserenity

2 күн бұрын

Lol...to clarify, a 3.5 hour window to cross and only needed two. Storms occurring on the seas is common. If you watch the Bimini trip video of events that occurred before this crossing you will see storms in many shots in the distance. You don't just cancel because a rain storm or waves pop up. 5 to 7 is completely manageable. But don't misunderstand me, I am not nor was I wanting to get into the storms. I had a camera so I used it. Now, you can make your own judgments in the future about storms and strategies based on what you saw I encountered.

not to bright hey?

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Not the best moments, but definitely educational and we learned that when weather apps tell you seas are 1 to 2 feet (as they did at our departure time), you may want to apply your own knowledge and not trust them. When we arrived in Fort Lauderdale the apps still only showed 3 to 5 foot seas. Technology cannot account for pop-up storms that last less than hour.

Bet you'll never do that again.

@sandbarserenity

10 күн бұрын

It is not high on the list of repeat activites!

would have been safer to go get your trucks and trailers and trailer the boats home rather than cross that water

@sandbarserenity

12 күн бұрын

We were leaving from Bimini, trucks were on the other side! 😁

So many haters in the comments, everyone is an armchair Captain around here. I've been making a similar crossing to walkers and Grand cay for about 30 years now and it can happen to anyone.

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for your comments. Storms can pop up at any time despite your best plans. If you wait for perfect, then you will never leave the dock!

@surfstarcc1

14 күн бұрын

@@sandbarserenity in 2019 we hit a nasty storm on our way home from Grand Cay to Sebastian inlet, my Radar was torn off the top, lost my outriggers, electronics box was torn off the top with 2 radios and cell phones, bow rail broke some welds, but we made it home safe. The ocean can be a very angry place

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Indeed it can! I can't imagine what that was like! Wow

How is fuel an issue in a 55 mile trip? Maybe you need a bigger boat? This seems like you are trying to replace foolishness and ignorance with bravery and intelligence. Never should have left in these conditions.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

Fuel was not really an issue, I had enough to burn at 2 gallons a mile, plus reserve. I finished with 65 gallons remaining. Enough to do the trip all over again. I am, however, always conscious of fuel burn, especially when storms pop up like in this video. This is an educational video. Unfortunately for us, the weather apps told us seas were going to be 1 to 2 feet when we left. The apps updated to show 3 to 5 feet when we arrived in Fort Lauderdale. Nothing can predict pop up storms. So you take what shows up and adapt to the conditions presented.

With modern weather prediction equipment, this should never happen... Almost.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

That modern weather equipment told us 2 to 3 foot seas that morning...by the time we arrived it updated to only 3 to 5 feet. It can not account for pop-up storms like we ran into.

Just because BW calls it the unsinkable hull doesn’t mean you need to product test it 💀 😭

@sandbarserenity

14 күн бұрын

Comment of the day! Indeed, not serving in the product test role again!

not a fan forsure.

@sandbarserenity

13 күн бұрын

Yes we were not either of the conditions. But spending time in Bimini is amazing. Going into the open ocean has risks and conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared and have good equipment so you can tackle what comes your way!

Ignorance its bliss...

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

Indeed, many lessons learned!!

It probably challenged you but for sure not the Whaler, that thing can handle much worst condition believe me...

@sandbarserenity

8 сағат бұрын

100%, the Whaler performed brilliantly. I had some white knuckles to start, but gained tremendous confidence once I saw how the boat was handling it. Never felt afraid. Much better captain now than before the storm.

Honestly pretty stupid with a single engine boat

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

I have twin 300s on my Boston Whaler 280 Vantage.

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

I would not attempt going offshore with only one engine!

Why do people do this The only boat that can be capable in that ft class and such weather conditions is a ranger tug or possibly a steiger craft agian those boats are not ideal for those conditions hulls are great but still not Ideal in those conditions

@sandbarserenity

16 күн бұрын

Yes totally agree with you. The storms popped up, they were not there prior. My Boston Whaler 280 Vantage was very capable during the storm. However, I would not do it again!

@mattyjdyoutub

15 күн бұрын

Owned a ranger tug R27. Had rough seas crossing lake Okeechobee. After about 15 minutes I concluded boat is great. It is my white knuckles that are the problem. They are great boats but you have to have the experience to match....and carry double the fuel you need for the trip.

@sandbarserenity

15 күн бұрын

100%, those boats are beasts. Once you get past the white knuckles confidence builds and you turn into Lt. Dan from Forest Gump.