2013 Bahamas Jet Ski Trip photo thread

Way better trip this year compared to last. Still had some close calls with the weather, but we were much better prepared this time around. 5 of us went over on Thursday and stayed 3 nights in Bimini. 55mi trip instead of 88mi meant we made it across in just 2.5 hrs.

Huge photos and this board doesn't like the thumbnail tag so I'll just post the direct links. Videos coming after I edit them down.

Almost there!
http://www.lstwo.com/images/25985997452382163197.jpg

Finally out on the water
http://www.lstwo.com/images/27422202649635484717.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/57722009369270119660.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/12791907307912580208.jpg

Bimini Sands Marina and Condos
http://www.lstwo.com/images/70968931529970766943.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/54749912424438788024.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/61138089313494430983.jpg

View from the condo
http://www.lstwo.com/images/75605380529399247781.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/44484092905174182873.jpg

Finally doing some exploring. The SS Sapona shipwreck
http://www.lstwo.com/images/63973367172898360379.jpg

The view to the north
http://www.lstwo.com/images/61377492612467479004.jpg

And view to the south. Weather wasn't promising.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/40805372598929514650.jpg

What's the worst that could happen?
http://www.lstwo.com/images/26112066136627637764.jpg
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http://www.lstwo.com/images/53396646944607259211.jpg

Saw a waterspout on the way back in. This was after battling 2-3ft seas as we ran from the storm to the south. Ended up with one flipped ski and a GoPro lost to Poseidon.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/96652129572680189902.jpg

Getting lunch at one of the few places on the island. Fruity drinks for fruity fellas.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/07755192708167998134.jpg

Random birthday shots for my friend Josh
http://www.lstwo.com/images/87147250803051652628.jpg

Sunset from the water after the storms pushed through. Great evening ride on smooth seas.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/26519627041554698135.jpg

Gearing up for Saturday. Off to attempt to locate the GoPro lost yesterday first, then head back to what we dubbed "Ray" Island. Tons of sting rays that were completely docile and would swim right up to you. Got some great video that I'll try and post tomorrow.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/42030684810040405485.jpg
http://www.lstwo.com/images/93512623928142163669.jpg
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Menacing clouds but this place turned out to be quite the hangout.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/58349968259946119415.jpg

Island drinks for our last night here
http://www.lstwo.com/images/56657074512375509125.jpg

Aaron breaking his no-seafood rule and eating local lobster. Yes, that's a sweet tendonitis strap.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/88986945881811349279.jpg

Four of us before we head over to get gas and head back west.
http://www.lstwo.com/images/60170877744513954854.jpg

Well hello again, Miami
http://www.lstwo.com/images/59446768090967225116.jpg

 

The hello again Miami photo... that's some fishin' looking water right there.

 

Stingrays. I was with you up till the stingrays.

 

There were quite a few boats out doing just that. Was definitely a good day to be on the water.

We named one real big one Steve Erwin

 

That trip looks awesome. I'm jealous.

How long does it take you to cross, and what are the seas like? I took a decent sized jet ski out on the ocean from West Palm and it tried to beat me to death. I realize weather, current, wind, etc. play a role.

Edit - shit, sorry, I just read your first post again...

I went straight to the pics... :up:

 

0-2ft both ways, but it didn't get calm in the deep water like it did last year, stayed choppy the entire way. Definitely wasn't as fun of a ride as heading out last year was but it was way better than coming back in the 4-6ft seas. I think we averaged 30-35mph headed out and 35-40mph coming back. Best way to do it is motocross it and stay standing up, much better ride than trying to stay sitting down.

 

You forgot one:

 

That looks like an absolutely awesome weekend. So who ended up going anyway? Put some screen names on them bitches!

 

Only 2 of us from here, Dale-505 is the token black guy I'm on the right. Everyone else that was like "oh yeah that's awesome, I'm TOTALLY in!" bitched out

 

Very nice. Looks like a great trip!

 

Did you guys find the GoPro? It sounds like a delusional recovery attempt to me.

 

It really was He had it mounted on an extendable pole that was bright red and pretty heavy so we had hope that it would be near the spot he marked on his GPS. Problem was he didn't mark the spot until he had already drifted a ways before uprighting the ski and we couldn't get an anchor to catch when we went back to the spot. Gave up after about 20 minutes. When it took us a couple of hours to find the Bimini Road that afternoon we knew it was completely hopeless trying to find the camera

 

Give me cliffs notes on the big ole rusty ship....
that looks like fun!

 

I betcha it's The Sapona.

http://www.biminisands.com/bahamas/landmarks/Sapona.pdf

 

What Dits said.

 

Isn't Dale a guy who can corner low? One of the NESBA instructors and a super fast club racer his novice year?

 

He also loves fried chicken, watermelon, and purple drink

 

Probably the same guy then

He was one heck of an instructor and overall great person.

Too bad NESBA Sucks!

 

Black People!