EAST BOUND & DOWN
FPC MEMBERS CELEBRATED 30 YEARS OF EXPLORING THE BAHAMAS IN JUNE BY NAVIGATING EASTBOUND FROM MIAMI, STOPPING IN BIMINI FOR A TWO-DAY FLING, THEN CONTINUING EAST TO CHUB CAY, BEFORE TAKING THE FINAL SOUTHEAST HEADING INTO NASSAU HARBOUR, FOR A GREAT ESCAPE TO PARADISE.
STORY: STU JONES
W
hen it comes to the South Florida boating scene, the majority of boaters would agree that cruising to the islands of the Bahamas is their most coveted adventure. When the summer months roll around and weather changes yield light winds and calm gulfstream conditions, recreational boaters start prepping for the eastbound adventure that provides countless destinations in boaters paradise. For the Florida Powerboat Club, the adventures have spanned thirty years, with the very first Bahamas run staged from Sunny Isles Marina in North Miami to Bimini. Back then in May 1992, it was a mere 12-boat fleet with average length at about 28’ feet, so clearly that part of the equation has changed drastically in comparison this 30th anniversary event with 26 registered teams and an average length of 42 feet. We won’t even try to calculate the insane amount of horsepower for this fleet! What hasn’t changed is the allure of this beautiful 700-island chain, the turquoise waters, pristine beaches and pleasant charming nature of the native Bahamians. The 30th Annual Bahamas Poker Run staged at Haulover Marine Center, with a traditional early 7am departure, a strategy to beat
34 | POWERBOATING IN PARADISE
the morning winds and hopefully have a smooth ride across the 54 miles gulfstream crossing from Haulover Inlet. Like anything when it comes to Mother Nature, that’s not an exact science, and in within ten miles of departure, captains were re-calculating their balance between throttle speed and trim, to achieve as smoother ride for the crew and less strain on the boat hardware. Even on the FPC’s 38 Cigarette Top Gun, a boat that is known for its rugged offshore pedigree, it was a more comforting ride for the Jones family at 40 mph, and that seemed to be the common ground for most of the captains, as the fleet slowly separated in to a long caravan of weekend warriors, on their course to Bimini. Arriving in Bimini there are a few landing options for customs and immigration clearance, some chose Bimini Big Game Club, while others went straight to our destination at Bimini Bay Marina, which is the host marina for Resorts World Bimini Hilton. After the usual frustration of the Bahamas clearance process, it was time to enjoy the area waters, as the majority of the pack headed southbound to Honeymoon Harbour, a popular anchorage that is home to an extended family of friendly stingrays and docile nurse sharks
