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Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
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 Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:47 am Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Tigressa, my wife and I just completed our first ever trip to the Bahamas. We'll be back and can recommend it highly.
N215TG performed flawlessly once it left the states. The Bahamian government and people welcome fliers with many government supported airports and friendly customs offices, long solid airstrips, and willing Bonefish.
We flew from 8NC8 in Durham NC down to KPMP in Pompano Beach FL as our jumping off point. One can leave the states from any airport once the necessary stuff has been done with Homeland Security. Our only real problem with the plane occurred on the KPMP ramp. We returned from an overnight stay to fine a flat main tire and cracked wheel pants from the squat down on to the chocks. We began to curse our bad luck until we realized that it might have happened somewhere in the Bahamas. It delayed us 2.5 hours but was otherwise nothing.
Flat Tire at KPMP
Our plan was a few days on Andros via Congo Town Airport (MYAK) to do some Bonefishing. Then a few more days on Cat Island via New Bight Airport (MYCB) to do as little as possible.
We ended up spending a couple more days at Staniel Cay on the Exuma chain via Staniel Cay Airport (MYES) and fueling at North Eleuthera Airport (MYEH) before returning home via Fort Pierce (KFPR) for our customs re-entry. KFPR came recommended by others as the best place to go thru US Customs. I agree.
Pre-flight research suggested that Nassau and Freeport be avoided as unnecessary. Private flying enables one to fly to practically any and all of the out islands and that's where the fun is. The exact definition of the 'out islands' escapes me. A map suggests some definitions based on distance but I'd just call everything except for the islands where Nassau, Freeport and perhaps Marsh Harbor are 'out islands.
How are the airports? A surprising number of airports are Airports of Entry (AOE) meaning that they have a customs offices, and that means they can be flown to and from the USA. That doesn't necessarily mean that anything else is there but it generally implies that there are semi-scheduled service to other islands and therefore there is some kind of local airline office.
At first glance, the runways look rough and finished with gravel. However they are generally long, wide, hard surfaced and clear of debris. The coral based aggregate in the surface makes it blend in with the surrounding coral giving them an unkempt and uneven appearance. The strips we went into were quite good with Staniel being perhaps the roughest; it being a smaller strip with lots of traffic, the touch down area was broken up a bit but it was wide enough to easily operate off to the sides of the center line and avoid the rough spot. No problem at this popular stop.
The ramps are generally unkempt looking and lack tie downs. You may find a random piece of rebar driven in somewhere but right-size coral rocks are often nearby. We have yet to start carrying our own chocks but I'd recommend it even for domestic use (see flat tire above).
How is security in the out islands? At our two main destinations, Andros and Cat Island, locks and keys for our rooms weren't even made available and we never felt they were needed. It's a good feeling. I had made up a prop lock per Tim's site. Used it once then forgot about it. There used to be a thriving drug transport business operating through the Bahamas but it's long gone. It took awhile before we realized there were both police and military people in our midst. Very low key, almost invisible but definitely around. After 5 or 6 trips to our airplane with a rented golf cart to load and off load various items, the local police finally caught up with me to kindly ask that I not drive the cart onto the ramp surface but rather park it behind the plane on the rubble. They try to keep the ramp and runway clear. The airports are government installations and the government wants you there. Thanks to the officer for driving us back from the cart rental place when we departed!
Fees, tips and such: All fees are posted locally and on the Web. They change occasionally so make sure any Web page referenced is reasonably current. For single engine airplanes and their pleasure seeking passengers it costs $50 upon entry and $25/head upon exit. There are no other fees we could find for SEL aircraft. ME aircraft and commercial operators pay some fees. No one has their hand out for tips or unexpected fees. No one jumps up to meet and greet you either. Polite requests are honored, help is provided when needed. Flashing cash is insulting. When and where a tip is passed, discreetly palming the bills out of sight of others seems to be appreciated. You may find inappropriate tips returned.
So, how was the fun? We stayed with the folks at Deneki for some Bonefishing on South Andros. It was great! A seamless experience from arrival to departure.
Deneki Outdoors
What's Bonefishing?
Catching a Bonefish on the Fly with Charlie and Alicia
At Cat Island we stayed at Fernandez Bay Village which is a couple of hundred yards from the New Bight Runway and yet miles away from everything...
Fernandez Bay Village
We stayed in a particularly nice 2 story suite directly on the beach (like all rooms) and it's own super friendly cat to snuggle with. A TV was brought in so we could watch the S----Bowl. A flight of 8 other planes from VA arrrived during our stay. We accompanied them on a side trip to Staniel they had planned for an afternoon of snorkeling and pig feeding. Pics from that group may appear on AOPA site/magazine.
Tigressa sharing New Bight ramp with a Cirrus
Cat on Cat Island
Swimming Pig
Random Notes:
Flying over water; it's a personal thing. Not much different than flying over an undercast except you can see what you are over. The great part is that it is difficult to plan a '10 trip that will put you over water for more than 30 minutes without sight of land and most often an airport. We had a raft and preservers.
Bahamas weather was as described by others during this period - there's little of it. Blue skies, blue water, scattered cumulus with occassional short lived buildups over land. Lots of hard VFR.
Fueling - most places in the out islands don't have fuel so planning is required.
The people you meet: Bahamians are super friendly and laid back. Once you get rid of all that 'edge' we live with, all is good. In the out islands most tourists/travelers are on their own boat or plane. The others fly-in to vacation at specific resorts. Lot's of high $$$ boats and planes as well as low $$$ boats and planes.
It's fun watching the boat people try to bridge the time and space gap between 5 knots, 15knots and 155knots. Personal flying in your own RV10 is fantastic.
Bill "It's Pretty Damn Good in the Bahamas" Watson
[quote][b]
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dmaib@me.com
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 454
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida
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| Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: Re: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Great trip report, Bill. We have enjoyed Staniel Cay so much the past three years that we have not tried any of the other islands, since Stella Maris on Long Island in 2009. You have inspired me to try some other places. Loved the "cat on Cat Island" photo. Your airplane is gorgeous.
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David Maib
RV-10 #40559
New Smyrna Beach, FL |
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Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
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| Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:14 pm Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Thanks David.
Our original plan was stay a few days at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club but
couldn't get a room so we went to Cat. Much quieter and remote with a
nicer strip.
Ironically we flew to Staniel for lunch on the way to Cat, then went
back after Cat and found that rooms were readily available if you
showed up in person. Lots of boats and activity on Staniel.
On 2/7/2014 1:07 PM, dmaib(at)me.com wrote:
| Quote: |
Great trip report, Bill. We have enjoyed Staniel Cay so much the past three years that we have not tried any of the other islands, since Stella Maris on Long Island in 2009. You have inspired me to try some other places. Loved the "cat on Cat Island" photo. Your airplane is gorgeous.
--------
David Maib
RV-10 #40559
Transition Trainer
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418288#418288
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Tim Olson
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:05 am Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Glad to see you went and had a great time, Bill!
I've never been to Cat before. I've wanted to go, but I'm not
sure that right now it's the place for me. There are times
I like low-key, but I'm not sure I'm capable of getting
to the point of just relaxing yet.  The closest I've come
is on a live-aboard dive cruise in the Bahamas, but we were
actively diving 4 times per day. Did you notice if Diving was
available at Cat? If so, I may make that a stop on my next trip.
The Bahamas is one of those places I intend to go back to
at least every other year, if possible.
Regarding the prop lock, the only time I've ever brought it along
on a trip is to Mexico. There aren't many places in the US that
I'd worry about, and the Bahamas has a reputation of basically no
theft from tourists. Even in Mexico, the airport we stayed at
probably made it unnecessary, but there are smaller airports where
you may find it more essential. But to the Bahamas, I never bring
it. It's just unnecessary weight. I can't even afford to bring
a life raft, since we travel with the kids all the time.
You have to admit, if there's any place you would have to ditch
in the ocean, the Bahamas would be one of the better swimming
sites. (sharks excluded of course)
Nice to know that Staniel sometimes has rooms even when
technically "booked". I may do a pop-over trip this summer
where I don't book anything, and see what happens.
So how did your wife like the pigs? That side trip is always
fun. One thing not to miss is snorkeling in the grotto
at Staniel, also.
Tim
On 2/7/2014 2:13 PM, Bill Watson wrote:
| Quote: |
Thanks David.
Our original plan was stay a few days at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club but
couldn't get a room so we went to Cat. Much quieter and remote with a
nicer strip.
Ironically we flew to Staniel for lunch on the way to Cat, then went
back after Cat and found that rooms were readily available if you
showed up in person. Lots of boats and activity on Staniel.
|
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Bob Turner
Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Posts: 885
Location: Castro Valley, CA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:09 am Post subject: Re: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Did anyone ask to see your FCC radio station license?
Bob
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Bob Turner
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Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Yes, Cat is pretty laid back and I didn't see any signs of diving though
we didn't really see much of the island. Turned out with all the pilots
staying there, meals turned into extended flying bull sessions. There
are worse things.
Yes, Alicia loved the pigs on shore and in the water. The pilot group
we went with brought lots of treats to keep them interested. I was
thinking of ribs with a side of cole slaw myself.
We also did the grotto but had to do it twice. The pilot group did it
without regard to the tides and it got a bit hairy even for this strong
swimmer. We went back at slack high tide and loved it.
The funniest part was working with one of the boat and cart rental
places. The high energy woman running it (think Chelsea Handler) seemed
to be a walking mechanical gremlin. Anything mechanical within 50 feet
or so of her immediately broke down. The golf cart failed every time we
saw her. We spent half the time running around the island in reverse
because it wouldn't go forward half the time. Our boat broke down at
the Grotto and had to be towed in. A downburst caught us during the
tow. She accidently let the broken down boat get adrift while she was
in it and I had to jump in the water to snag a trailing rope. Thank
goodness we were able to keep her away from the plane! We were glad to
get out in one piece after all that. What a riot!
I'm totally hooked on fishing the flats and will definitely be back
trying for the fly fishing Grand Slam - A Bonefish, a Permit and a Tarpon.
Bill "island hopper" Watson
(do not archive)
On 2/8/2014 9:58 AM, Tim Olson wrote:
| Quote: |
Glad to see you went and had a great time, Bill!
I've never been to Cat before. I've wanted to go, but I'm not
sure that right now it's the place for me. There are times
I like low-key, but I'm not sure I'm capable of getting
to the point of just relaxing yet. The closest I've come
is on a live-aboard dive cruise in the Bahamas, but we were
actively diving 4 times per day. Did you notice if Diving was
available at Cat? If so, I may make that a stop on my next trip.
The Bahamas is one of those places I intend to go back to
at least every other year, if possible.
Regarding the prop lock, the only time I've ever brought it along
on a trip is to Mexico. There aren't many places in the US that
I'd worry about, and the Bahamas has a reputation of basically no
theft from tourists. Even in Mexico, the airport we stayed at
probably made it unnecessary, but there are smaller airports where
you may find it more essential. But to the Bahamas, I never bring
it. It's just unnecessary weight. I can't even afford to bring
a life raft, since we travel with the kids all the time.
You have to admit, if there's any place you would have to ditch
in the ocean, the Bahamas would be one of the better swimming
sites. (sharks excluded of course)
Nice to know that Staniel sometimes has rooms even when
technically "booked". I may do a pop-over trip this summer
where I don't book anything, and see what happens.
So how did your wife like the pigs? That side trip is always
fun. One thing not to miss is snorkeling in the grotto
at Staniel, also.
Tim
On 2/7/2014 2:13 PM, Bill Watson wrote:
>
>
> Thanks David.
>
> Our original plan was stay a few days at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club but
> couldn't get a room so we went to Cat. Much quieter and remote with a
> nicer strip.
>
> Ironically we flew to Staniel for lunch on the way to Cat, then went
> back after Cat and found that rooms were readily available if you
> showed up in person. Lots of boats and activity on Staniel.
>
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rv10flyer
Joined: 25 Aug 2009
Posts: 364
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Nice trip report, pics and fishing video.
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Wayne G. |
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Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:48 pm Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Of course not!!
But thanks for reminding me to take my Restricted Radiotelephone
Operator Permit, dated December 20, 1977, out of my wallet and to put it
back in my flying archives.
Really, the Bahamian government really wants us there and goes out of
there way to make it as easy as they can.
Returning to KFPR, US Customs is a pretty friendly bunch there but they
will try to keep you on your toes. They checked my pilots license and
medical reminding me that my medical expires later this year. Didn't
expect that.
On 2/8/2014 1:09 PM, Bob Turner wrote:
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jack(at)bedfordlandings.c
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Good thing we got that BFR out of the way, huh?
Jack Phillips
--
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Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:13 am Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Yes, thanks for that!
I wouldn't have gone without all my ducks lined up but I purposefully
took neither pilot or plane logs per the advice of others.
(do not archive)
On 2/8/2014 10:23 PM, Jack Phillips wrote:
[quote]
Good thing we got that BFR out of the way, huh?
Jack Phillips
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partner14
Joined: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 540
Location: Granbury Texas
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| Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 8:05 am Post subject: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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Ok, got to chime in here.... some of you may already know this, but most don't... Got the idea of flying while on our catamaran at Staniel Cay. We became friends with a couple who flew in, and were basically, Island hopping. That sounded kind of neat, so from the Bahamas, I contacted an old friend/tenant to find out some info. He said he sold his RV6, and was building a 10. I had no idea what either of those were. Long story short, boats is sold, and have over 630 hours on the 10.
Would love to hook up with any of you headed over there the next time around. We spent about 3 months there, visiting Bimini, Exumas, Nassau (just to pick up people from the airport), Cat, Long, Eleuthera, Abacos, and headed back to the states from Walker. From Walker to Charleston took us 55 hours, averaging over 11 kts, with a top speed of 14.2. Just guessing, but it should be a little quicker in the 10.
Pic1 is my wife, her sister, and her niece.
Pic2 is her niece having fun... if you scratch their bellys, they just fall over. Me in the dinghy
Pic3 is our cats idea of a glass panel.
Pic4 is one of our favorite cays... Compass Cay, just north of Staniel.
Don McDonald
0TX1 and loving it.
On Saturday, February 8, 2014 5:57 PM, Bill Watson <Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com> wrote:
--> RV10-List message posted by: Bill Watson <Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com (Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com)>
Of course not!!
But thanks for reminding me to take my Restricted Radiotelephone
Operator Permit, dated December 20, 1977, out of my wallet and to put it
back in my flying archives.
Really, the Bahamian government really wants us there and goes out of
there way to make it as easy as they can.
Returning to KFPR, US Customs is a pretty friendly bunch there but they
will try to keep you on your toes. They checked my pilots license and
medical reminding me that my medical expires later this year. Didn't
expect that.
On 2/8/2014 1:09 PM, Bob Turner wrote:
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Don A. McDonald
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rvdave
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Posts: 191
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| Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: It's Pretty Darn Good in the Bahamas - trip report |
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I wanna go--gotta get it done!
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Dave Ford
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