Best Rental Boat for Getting In & Out of

[DaGoose]

Hi all, In about a week I'll be in Abaco with my 80+ year old parents! We're visiting my brother and his girlfriend. They recently purchased a house at Bahama Palm Shores and the escrow closes this Thursday. We would love to get my mom out on a rental boat for a day. I don't think she could manage the ladders on the docks so we'll be taking the ferry to Hopetown and Guana. But she would love to be able to cruise the Sea of Abaco and possibly get in the water. Is there a particular rental boat that is easier to get in and out of? Rick & I rented a Twin Vee from Rainbow Rentals and although we loved the boat it wasn't the easiest to get in to. We would need to rent in Marsh Harbour. Any info will be greatly appreciated!

Can't wait!

Tina

[Steamboat]

If your not going to be getting in/out of the boat much, I'd opt for the most comfortable boat not the easiest to get in/out of. For that, I'd look for a Paramount 26 which may not be the most fuel efficient boat but should be a very comfortable boat to ride in for any weather conditions.

[DaGoose]

Thanks Steamboat. The Paramount 26 does look like a nice boat and actually the transom area seems to be pretty easy to crawl over. If it has a somewhat stable swim ladder and it's fairly easy to get in and out of at the boat rental dock, we'll be good to go. It's also nice that there are 3 rental companies in Marsh that have these boats. Since we are doing this at the last minute, I'm hopeful we'll get a boat for a day. Thanks again, Tina

[Patti Puzo]

My Mom (77) has been there 2 springs in a row now. Both times we had a Paramount 26 and she did fine. The only tricky aspect was if it got windy, and the boat moved up and down a lot while she boarded. Otherwise, she went on several trips.

[DaGoose]

Thanks Patti, I knew there'd be a way! Now I've just got to figure how to pay for the gas! Thanks again, Tina

[MrBill]

take a look at the larger cat power boats... (26') very stable, pretty fuel efficent, failry dry.


sorry, I forget who rents them...

[BahamaAngie]

You need to also know when lowtide is. That sometimes makes getting in/out of a boat difficult. I always seem to check that. It is most difficult when it is low tide in my opinion. But I gotta tell you the Bahamians help make it a lot easier. Good luck!

[DaGoose]

Thanks guys, this board is great! I think if we're going to go into the settlements, we'll take the ferry. However, I do want my folks to see the area from a boat and do some swimming. I'd love for them to see Baker's Bay, the Pelican Cays, Tahiti Beach and other places that you don't see from the ferry. The Twin Vee cats are from Rainbow Rentals. We rented the 22 foot and it was a great boat but a bit hard to get up on the swim ladder and getting over the transom was a bit tricky. No problem for us but I think it might be for my folks. I'll have my hubby print out the tides so that if we do decide to go into town when we have the rental boat, we'll do it at the best time. I know I'm over thinking this, but the planning is half the fun! Thanks again, Tina

[Jerry S]

Patti gives very accurate tide reports on the Cruisers Net, VHF channel 68, every morning at 8:15..

[DaGoose]

Patti gives very accurate tide reports on the Cruisers Net, VHF channel 68, every morning at 8:15..

Yes she does! The Cruisers Net was one of the highlights of our trip last March. Didn't miss a day, I even won the trivia question one morning!

I'm not sure that the house where we are staying has a VHF radio. I can't imagine it not having one but just to be on the safe side, I'll have a print out of the tides.

Thanks again to all!

Tina

[Watercolours]

There are tide tables in the "Cruising guide to the Abacos" by Steve Dodge. Make sure you have the current addition.
www.watercolourscottages.com (http://www.watercolourscottages.com)
www.cruiseabaco.com (http://www.cruiseabaco.com)

[DaGoose]

There are tide tables in the "Cruising guide to the Abacos" by Steve Dodge. Make sure you have the current addition.
www.watercolourscottages.com (http://www.watercolourscottages.com)
www.cruiseabaco.com (http://www.cruiseabaco.com)

Can I get the current edition in Marsh Harbour? Rick & I had a 2005 edition but we loaned it to someone and they didn't return it. We were waiting until the 2007 edition comes out for our May trip. I can always get the current tide charts from Terrafin but we will definitely need a Dodge guide for the trip next week.

We'll be staying with my brother and his girlfriend at their 'new' house at Bahama Palm Shores. I talked to him last night and they are so excited to finally be there! He did say that the house did not have a VHF radio. He probably won't be getting one for a while so would it help if I bring our handheld? I'd hate to miss the Cruiser's Net but it might be difficult to hear it on a handheld.

There I go over thinking it again!

Thanks, Tina

[Jerry S]

We normally listen to the "Net" on our handheld on Guana, should not be a problem..

[Watercolours]

[quote=DaGoose]Can I get the current edition in Marsh Harbour? would it help if I bring our handheld? I'd hate to miss the Cruiser's Net but it might be difficult to hear it on a handheld.

You can get a 2006 "Guide to Abaco" now but the 2007 wont be here now. You can get a tide chart other places and be fine with an old guide.
I would not think that you can get Cruisers Net on a hand Held in Bahamas Palm Shores but I have never tried it myself from there.

[CrossPatch]

I recently spoke on the phone w/ the Dodge Guide publisher. They won't have the 2007 avail. yet. They told me 1 month. Don't recall exactly when I spoke w/ them but do remember thinking it would be Thanksgiving or after 'til they sent mine as I asked them to hold my order until '07 was avail.

You may be able to get one new or used from '06 on amazon. That's where I got my "Chapman Piloting" and it was cheaper w/ fast delivery options.

Paul

[Island Daze]

Hey DaGoose wouldnt a good early christmas present be a VHF base station for their house?

[DaGoose]

Hey DaGoose wouldnt a good early christmas present be a VHF base station for their house?

That is a GREAT idea but we've got to keep it quiet! SSHHHHHSSSSHHHH!!!

You guys are the BEST!

Tina