2008 Bahamas Rendezvous
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL EDGEWATER BAHAMAS RENDEZVOUS
JUNE 14-21, 2008
DETAILS
EdgeWater Powerboats and Hontoon Marine invite you to attend the 2008 Bahamas Rendezvous. Carl Fischer and his crew from Hontoon Marine have been hosting this event for 17 years. EdgeWater has been a proud Rendezvous sponsor since Hontoon became an EdgeWater dealer in 1995. We welcome all EdgeWater boats of any size. Other makes of seaworthy boats over 21 feet are also invited.
Join us for a family bonding adventure of a lifetime, as we cross the Gulfstream to spend a week on our favorite island, Green Turtle Cay, in Abaco, The Bahamas. Surround yourself with crystal clear tropical water, relax on white sand beaches, dive the coral reefs, go offshore bottom fishing, test your flats fishing skills. These are just a few of the experiences that await you and your family. Although the Rendezvous provides time for gatherings, such as at our Bluff House dinners, and our informal fishing tournament, this trip is NOT A PACKAGE GROUP TOUR of the Bahamas. Once in the islands, you are on your own to explore without hindrance. We encourage you to research the Abacos, and plan your week accordingly.
The Rendezvous pricing includes five meals--four dinners and one lunch-- during our stay in Green Turtle. We will enjoy three dinners at the beautiful Bluff House Beach Hotel and Marina, including the traditional barbeque dance party featuring the "world famous" Gully Roosters band. We will also dine at the wonderful Green Turtle Club. On Monday afternoon we will return to secluded Manjack Cay, where Carl and his team from Hontoon Marine will treat us to his popular BBQ lunch on the beach. EdgeWater owners will receive an invitation for a cocktail party at EdgeWater President, Peter Truslow, and his wife Andrea's house on Green Turtle.
All participants will receive a souvenir T-Shirt, Captains' Bag, and trip booklet from EdgeWater Powerboats. This will include maps, crossing information, Loran-GPS numbers and valuable information pertaining to the trip and the islands.
GREEN TURTLE CAY/WHAT TO DO IN ABACO
Green Turtle Cay is located in central Abaco and us surrounded by many sparkling cays, most of them uninhabited. The eighteenth century village of New Plymouth is located at the South West end of the island. A stroll through the village takes you back in time to a period where stress is an unknown item. There are several island restaurants and bars, an ice cream shop and historical sites. You will NOT find chain eateries or shopping malls or mass commercial centers in this paradise.
Green Turtle has several fabulous beaches, as do some of the adjacent islands, and is bordered on the East by a barrier reef that is equal in beauty to any tropical reef in the world. Masks, fins, and snorkels are a must in the Bahamas! Bottom fishing, trolling, spin casting and fly-fishing are all excellent in Abaco. Nearby Treasure Cay has a golf course for the true addicts. Famous destinations such as Nippers in Great Guana Cay, and the Hope Town lighthouse are only a boat ride away.
An informal fishing tournament will be held two days of your stay. Tournament rules will be given during the rendezvous. Current Bahamian fishing rules will be supplied when you acquire your boat fishing licenses. Individuals are not licensed. Your boat license covers all persons aboard. Remember Lobster is out of season in June and the fines for catching them out of season are quite severe. Swimming, fishing, snorkeling, diving, beach combing exploring, shopping or just doing nothing are part of the fun awaiting you in Green Turtle.
DEPARTURE
Boats will be departing from West Palm Beach, Saturday morning June 14, at 6:00 am, in flotillas of 6-12 boats. Plans should be made in advance to arrive in West Palm early in the afternoon of the 13th, in time to launch your boat and get ready for the trip. Some captains may opt to launch early Saturday morning. A mandatory captains' meeting will be held at 7 pm on the 13th at the Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. A block of rooms, starting at $130.00 per night, has been reserved for our group for the 13th. Call (561) 844-1724 and mention EdgeWater Powerboats block #80364 to make your reservation. Dockage is also available beginning at $55.00 per night for boats 30 feet and under. There are no launching facilities or parking for boats and trailers at Sailfish.
Store Safe (561) 845-0999, approximately 4 miles by car or taxi from Sailfish, can accommodate storage for your cars and trailers for the week. Additional dockage is available at Cannon sport marina (561)844-5588, Riviera Beach Marina (561)842-7808, and the Lake Park Marina (561) 881-3353/ www.lakeparkmarina.com. Lake Park has launching, parking and dockage facilities. The Phil Foster public boat ramp is an excellent launching point, with ample parking for vehicles and trailers. However, there is no overnight dockage or security at this site. This is a park "at your own risk" alternative.
Keep in mind that crossing the gulfstream can be quite rough and very challenging. In 2007, we had choppy seas on the way over, and even rougher water with high winds on the return. The year before, we had flat, glassy seas. Land lovers may prefer to travel by plane to meet their captains in the islands. United, Bahamas Air, Vintage Props and Jets out of Daytona/New Smyrna, and other charter companies all fly to Treasure Cay. After landing in Treasure Cay, you simply hop in a taxi to travel to the ferry dock. You can then take the ferry to Green Turtle or have your captain pick you up. Please NO RIDE hitching at the Captains' Meeting. Captains must carry all members of their group on their boat, or arrange for their flights if they wish.
LODGING
There are many lodging options in Green Turtle, ranging from the very basic to the ultra luxurious. For more information contact:
For more information on island life, lodging, restaurants, diving, etc., log onto www.go-abacos.com and follow your links to GT. We recommend renting a golf cart from one of the several vendors for exploring Green Turtle by land.
ENTRY FEES
The cost of the Rendezvous is $200 per adult, $80.00 for children 6-11, with younger little ones free of charge. This includes five meals (four dinners and one bbq lunch). Lodging, docking etc. is not included in this amount and must be arranged independently by participants.
In addition to the package fee, a flat fee of $150.00 (this amount is estimated based on 2006 rates and is subject to change due to constantly changing customs regulations) per boat is to be paid to Bahamas Customs-Immigration, which covers your temporary cruising permit, fishing license and departure tax. This covers up to four persons per boat. Each additional person has a $15.00 fee. The fishing license covers all persons aboard your vessel.
IMPORTANT--CUSTOMS CHANGE
As of January 1, 2008, all United States citizens INCLUDING CHILDREN will be required to present a US PASSPORT to enter and exit the Bahamas. Citizens of other countries will need to verify their requirements through Customs-Immigration.
SCHEDULE
Although our schedule may change due to whether or other scheduling issues, this gives you an idea of what our week might look like. Remember the specific events are optional; how tightly you pack your schedule is up to you.
Friday Captains Meeting
Saturday Departure to GT Welcome Dinner*
Sunday Free day
Monday Manjack beach party*
Tuesday Guana Cay trip BBQ dinner dance*
Wednesday Fishing tournament Dinner*
Thursday Fishing T/Hope Town daytrip EdgeWater
owners' cocktail party
Friday Free Day Dinner/C. Meeting
Saturday Departure to USA
* meals included with entry fee
WAYPOINTS
The route we follow is approximately 170 nautical miles. We usually stop in West End to clear customs and then follow closely over Grand Bahama and down the Sea of Abaco. Here are the waypoints:
| Lake Worth Inlet |
N 26 46.39 |
| Outer market |
W 80 00.34 |
| |
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| West End |
N 26 42.47 |
| Harbor approach |
W 79 00.00 |
| |
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| Indian Cay Channel |
N 26 43.28 |
| Day marker #2 |
W 79 00.25 |
| |
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| Radar Marker |
N 26 45.00 |
| South Side |
W 78 58.24 |
| |
|
| Mangrove Cay |
N 26 53.00 |
| 3 miles S. passage pt. |
W 78 36.00 |
| |
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| Great Sale Cay |
N 26 52.55 |
| 4 miles S. passage pt. |
W 78 09.30 |
| |
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| Veteran Rock |
N 26 55.95 |
| ½ mile S passage pt |
W 77 52.30 |
| |
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| Hawksbill Cay |
N 26 56.90 |
| ¼ mile N. passage pt. |
W 77 52.30 |
| |
|
| Center of World Rock |
N 26 56.19 |
| ½ mile S. passage pt. |
W 77 41.66 |
| |
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| Angel Fish Point |
N 26 56.00 |
| ¼ mile N. passage pt |
W 77 36.50 |
| |
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| Green Turtle Cay |
N 26 46.00 |
| Channel, center isl |
W 77 20.50 |
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PACKING AND OTHER PREPARATIONS
Q. Is it too late to rent a golf cart?
A. No, but be sure to do it ASAP.Golf carts can be rented with D&P Cart Rentals (242-365-4655) Baystreet Cart Rentals (242-365-4070), Sea Side Carts (242-477-4597) and T&A Cart Rentals (242-375-8055). Small boats with Donny's Boat Rentals (242-365-4119) or Reef Rentals (242-365-4145).
Q. Should I make reservations with a fishing guide before arrival?
A. Yes. Ronny Sawyer (242-365-4070) bonefishing, Ricky Sawyer (242-365-4261) reef and bonefishing, Joe Sawyer (242-365-4173) reef fishing, Lincoln Jones (242-365-4223) beach cook-out. For diving, Brendal’s Dive Shop is famous. His website is www.brendal.com.
Q. What should I bring?
A. For daytime; light clothing, shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits, sunscreen, snorkel gear, sweatshirt (for cool weather). Foul weather gear is recommended for the crossings. For evening; casual smart, sweater or light jacket (for cool weather). High healed shoes should stay at home. Roads are uneven and dusty. Flip flops, sandals, boat and tennis shoes are best.
Q. What should I wear for dinner?
A. Casual, smart. The Club has a dinner dress code which prohibits T-shirts, cut-off shorts and tank tops.
Q. What food should we bring?
A. This is up to you, depending on how much cooking you intend to do. There are many good restaurants and a few well stocked grocery stores on GT. Fresh Bahamian bread is plentiful. Prices are higher than in the US for food and especially soda and beer. Customs prohibits some food items, namely citrus and avocados.
For more information contact Carl Fischer at Hontoon Marine 386-734-4301 or email Andrea@ewboats.com.
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