Still looking, Nav?

[krosemond]

Hey Nav,<br /><br />Check out www.tournamentyachts.com <br /><br />This guy is building this boat with the old Topaz 24 molds that were retooled to create a twin inboard version. I worked with the owner of Bimini Marine at the Ft. Lauderdale boat show when they first configured it. Bimini went out of business in the early 90's when the luxury tax killed the boat business (whose idea was that anyway, meant to tax the rich, but put hard working craftsmen out of business, but that is another topic) and I just discovered that the molds were picked up by this guy. It is a bunch of boat for the length!. My reason for interest, is my heartache over selling my 24 Topaz "Bill Me", which was a wonderful (but slow) boat. I went everywhere from Walkers Cay to Chubb Cay in the Bahamas having the best times of my life. The hull is the best hull Topaz ever built. What sea keeping ability! I crossed back from West End, Grand Bahama in a 12' following sea to Stuart. Not wise, I know, but the boat handled it with honor.<br /><br />If you click on the Center Console button, you will see their version of my boat. I had a full marlin tower with controls and a sun shade. Full isenglass enclosure. If I could somehow get near the coast again, I would be all over one of these 24's.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Still looking, Nav?

krosemond,<br /><br />"I crossed back from West End, Grand Bahama in a 12' following sea to Stuart"....let me guess...either the fish were REALLY biting ...or...the wife called and said you needed to come home "OR ELSE"

You sound as adventuresome as me! hahaha<br /><br /><br />Thanks! I'll check it out. Yes I'm still looking. I haven't had much time the last few weeks. Life's "responsibilities" have once again crept in and I had to tend to them first. But I really am ichin' to get my new "toy".<br /><br /><br />Thanks,<br />Nav.

 

[krosemond]

Re: Still looking, Nav?

Nav,<br /><br />It was a combination of things. I was stuck in West End for 3 days during this blow, after having already spent a week on Elbow Cay in the Abacos. I was running out of money, and my wife was getting pissed. I think her choices were: me home or drowned, and in her mind it was a toss up!<br /><br />But the real factor was, it was blowing 20-25 out of the SE, which makes the nearshore waters protected out of West End. We poked our head out of the cut and went about three miles and decided it was not TOO bad. Bad idea, by the time we realized we were in over our heads, it was too late to turn around and head back into them. It was full throttle up the back of the waves, and then pull back and surf down into the trough. For 7 hours. I was smart enough to wait until the tide started flooding before running the St. Lucie inlet, which was still very sporty. That was 10 years ago, and I am in my 40's now and a tad wiser. But I can't imagine a 24 that could have handled those seas better. And I am blessed to be alive to tell the story. But believe it or not it gets better. There was a group of kids (early 20's) who had towed a 18' cruiser to west palm beach from Jax and crossed earlier in the week when it was dead calm. When they saw us leaving, they waved us down and asked if they could put one of the girls on with us who had to get home, but they had no money for airfare. We took her on and she was sick for the whole ride, throwing up everything but her stomach. I brought her home to shower and eat before putting her on a bus to Jax. My wife(now x) was not pleased. Yes, I WAS adventurous in my younger days, but now I am thinking that is a romantic way of saying I was just plain foolish!!<br /><br />

 

[Navigator]

Re: Still looking, Nav?

krosemond,<br />I visited the web site and the boats look nice. My only question is "is it trailerable"? My wife agreed to me buying a boat, but talking her into the monthly fees for a slip would be a stretch. I dont want to push it ......hahaha<br /><br />On another topic...<br />How far it is it mileage & time from St. Lucie to the Bahamas? Is it like a day trip or should one plan to spend the weekend. What about customs? I've never been there in a small boat before and I've mentioned it to some friends and they sound interested.<br /><br />I feel an adventure brewing.....<br />Nav.

 

[krosemond]

Re: Still looking, Nav?

Nav, Mine was a single diesel inboard, and I had a trailer, but it wasn't fun to pull it anywhere. I am not sure what kind of trailer you would have to use with that twin inboard.<br />Another thing, although I love an inboard, I always got really nervous in skinny water. If you like messing around in the bay, outboards are the way to go.<br /><br />On the Bahamas, I highly recommend the trip to anyone who is a little adventurous. With a little prudence, it is relatively safe. Although it could be a day trip to Bahamian waters on the west side of the bank, don't get caught fishing without clearing customs. It wouldn't be worth it to clear in and then return in the same day (You don't have to clear out, you can mail your paperwork back to the Bahamas when you return to the states) but you have to clear US customs on your return. I would say take at least two days there and two travel days for a total of four. It is 70 miles from Stuart to West End, but only 55 from West Palm Beach. It is a good place to make landfall and clear in ( that can take ten minutes or 2 hours, depending on the mood of the Customs official, but generally they are friendly and professional, but not with much sense of urgency). There wasn't much there the last time I was in West End besides a run down marina. You could proceed to Grand Lucaya near Freeport, on the big Island of Grand Bahama but you might as well stay in South Florida. It is very commercial, with little island flair. Nice reefs though, I have caught dolphin and tuna out of Lucaya. My suggestion would be to go to Walker's Cay or Grand Cay. They are at the top of the Abacos on the NE corner of the little bahama bank. Great fishing, diving and general island fun. Walkers has a nice resort, and Grand Cay is where all of the Walker's staff lives and has some decent motels (by out island standards). They are about 100 NM due east of Stuart, and I used to run straight there and clear in. It is about 60 miles across the gulf Stream and then 40 more across the bank in 15-20 depths. For a first trip, I would suggest coming through West End and clearing in and then go on to Walkers. You only have to clear customs once (per trip). An easier trip is from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini. I did that once. About 50 miles. Bimini is a decadent little spot, and there is lots of drinking going on until all hours of the morning. But the fishing is good, and the reefs to the north are really nice for free diving.<br /><br />If you decide to start planning a trip, I would be happy to share all I know. I live in NC now, and it would be fun to live vicariously, because I will not be going again for a long time, unless someone invites me to go on there boat, and most of my Stuart friends have left as well.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Ken