Is the Water Swimmable in April?

[SamFamAustin]

This was a question asked on the AMB and Patti did a good job answering the question "Is the water swimmable in April?" ... but I wanted to be funny because well, a few cocktails may have been involved here ... which is why I buried this gem in the Rant section.

Sometimes during the early spring the oxygen di-hydrogen (H2O) dissociates in some places, noteably certain northern sections of the Abacos closest to the Bermuda Triangle. Boats, swimmers, and even planes that hit the water just go down like a rock falling through the air! Scientists are skeptical but the locals note that the hogfish, conch, and crawdads are much easier to catch during these freak occurances. As such, we advise that you check with the local knowledge because in some cases, the water actually might not be swimmable.

Otherwise it can be cool especially with the stronger north winds, although for a seasoned Yankee, Canadian, Norther, or Britisher it is pure heaven.
/Sam :eek:

[DrRalph]

Average water temp in April: 76 degrees. On a warm day that's "swimmable," if it's cloudy and blowing, might be a little cool.

[SamFamAustin]

I detected some displeasure there so let me say ... 76 is wonderful, even for a Floridian. Down here it on SPI went down to 73 and that's a whole different story. That seems cold to me. My wife jumps right in but I have to get used to it and wear a surfer shirt and panties. /Sam

[Patti Puzo]

I think it depends on what area of the country you come from. I was raised in Central Florida, and yes, I would have considered the April water temps to be on the cool side, but having lived in CO for over 30 years, it was very comfortable.
Patti P.

[NCDD]

My wife jumps right in but I have to get used to it and wear a surfer shirt and panties. /Sam
Big Sissy;)

[SamFamAustin]

LOL, the alternative is even worse! We tired those 5-mm scuba wetsuits and they did NOT work for us. First, it is a one-piece that takes maybe a half-hour just to get into. Unless the water is below 60 degrees you cook like a conch thrown on a BBQ.

I do have a story about that, when we tried them on at the local surf shop. I decided that was too much work and bailed early. So I was talking with the owner and I hear this mewing like a kitten: "Sam, shh, come help, psst, Sam I'm dying, come NOW, oh puleeze help me, Sam where are you?"

So I traipse into the women's changing room and there's my wife, cherry red, and stuck in the most incredible Yoga position you ever saw, stork-like.
:eek:

DrRalph would be impressed, as a certain kind of doctor.

After saving the young princess we decided on the 1-mm "spring shirt and shorts" model, two separates, just pay for the XL size and run away. And I'll take my surf panties anyday! If it's too cold for that it just ain't worth it.

Sam

[Patti Puzo]

I am rolling under the desk laughing! Sam, you crack me up....

When it comes to our family, my husband isn't a big fan of the water, and says he can swim as far as the water is deep. The temp. is not a big concern.... Rum thangs are the only thing that helps.... and seem to help in his ability to float, too LOL.

[NCDD]

Look to nature for the answer. Do walrus get cold, do elephant seals get cold? BLUBBER is the answer, which is the answer I chose. I float really well and very seldom get cold. It aint pretty but it works :D

[Jerry S]

Gotta know Denny to really appreciate his post :) LMAO ;)

[BahamaBec]

AFter reading every post I could find out water temp I finally decided that I was WAYYYY overthinking this one.
After all the time, effort, dreams, reading, planning, and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that has gone into this trip - I think a $50 shortie wetsuit is a reasonable expense to guarantee that I won't spend most of my time shivering on the boat. MUCH rather have it and not need it than vice versa. I also picked up a couple of high necked rashguards - I have had radiation treatments on my neck and DO NOT need the UV exposure. I wouldn't know what a rashguard was if it wasn't for you guys. Thanks!
So, I am nearly packed and ready to go ---- 27 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Patti Puzo]

BahamaBec - you are going to have a blast! I think the suit will probably be wise.... The first April we were there, my brother brought one, but never used it. Last April, it was so windy, he used his a lot, but I was comfortable both times. I think the sun plays a big factor, since the water is so clear. We have 48 more days.

The stack is getting deeper. I have Safe Sea, Bull Frog, my Neat Sheet and suits all ready to go. I am DETERMINED not to over pack this year!

[SamFamAustin]

Patti, the sinks in the Abacos are for the most part OK, especially in your finer beach cottages, but often lack in a particular regard, sometimes even having TWO faucets, one hot and one cold. This can be especially frustrating for some folks who really have become accustomed to their favorite means of obtaining water for drinking, cleaning, and washing, et cetera.

Therefore, I think you should pack the Kitchen Sink along with flexible hoses.
Sammie :D

[DaGoose]

BahamaBec, On our trip last March, the water temp (probably around 74/75 degrees) was very nice for wallering with a Kalik. (I'm embarrassed to say we didn't snorkle, however we would have used the shortie wetsuits we brought had we snorkled.) Being from Southern California where the water temps rarely get higher than 73 in the summer, it was glorious!

That being said, I can be a real ninny when it comes to cold water so (more) blubber might be an option! Thanks NCDD!

Patti, how do you plan for everything and NOT over pack? I know Ken will say forget the underwear but, especially with Rick, I am not going there. (Sorry honey, couldn't resist!) The big question today is, do I bring a noodle or a doodle???

Tina

[DaGoose]

Sammie, you are too funny!

[Patti Puzo]

Nope, na-ah, not me, not here, no way. At the risk of my head
spontaneously combusting... I am bound and determined to take very little this time (don't worry Pat W., your steaks & snowball will make the trip come h*ll or high water).
One pair of shorts, a couple of swim suits and maybe a sun dress. Just some flip flops. I think staying on Guana is going to be the simple life for us this time. Of course, Mark is defaulting on his clothing allowance by packing that big ol' mug!:rolleyes:

[Patti Puzo]

BahamaBec, On our trip last March, the water temp (probably around 74/75 degrees) was very nice for wallering with a Kalik. (I'm embarrassed to say we didn't snorkle, however we would have used the shortie wetsuits we brought had we snorkled.) Being from Southern California where the water temps rarely get higher than 73 in the summer, it was glorious!

That being said, I can be a real ninny when it comes to cold water so (more) blubber might be an option! Thanks NCDD!

Patti, how do you plan for everything and NOT over pack? I know Ken will say forget the underwear but, especially with Rick, I am not going there. (Sorry honey, couldn't resist!) The big question today is, do I bring a noodle or a doodle???

Tina

Just kidding. The 3rd time if the proverbial charm, so I should get this packing thing down, I hope. The Neat Sheet saves on bringing something big and bulky for the beach. It is so light, and packs in practically no space. The biggest things will be the snorkel and fins. We will each have a big rolling duffle, so it should be more than enough. Now, when it actually comes down to leaving the house....I am going to give it my da*ndest! LOL. Just say no!

[SamFamAustin]

Anybody out there figured out how to turn a snorkel into a Kalik Delivery Device yet? Seems like all if would need is a big funnel on top! :D
sammie

[Pa]

Does anybody know what the water temp is now?
We'll be down there in 12 days !!! Can't wait to get some of Miss Emily's concoction in me then take a quick dip !!!

[BahamaBec]

Aha - Neat Sheet - didn't have that on the list. Great idea. I know that I am taking too much but I just can't help it. Next time I will do better. For a week I just think I might need more than a pair of shorts! I'm thinking 3 pr shorts, I pair of sweatpants, 5 Tees, and something I could wear to a restuarant - Would one pair of flip-flops get me by?

[Patti Puzo]

IMHO, it depends on where you are staying. I plan on wearing my Keen Newports (water/hiking shoes) on the plane, so the flip-flops will be for anything else. We plan on spending the most time in our bathing suits, with a cover-up handy so we don't scare anyone - But, alasm poor Mark will just have to strategically arrange his big a*s mug :eek:

[patw]

I have no idea what the water temp is right now but I do know that it doesn't seem to bother the tourists, the kids or my brother in law, they are swimming. But I do see most snorklers wearing the shortie wet suits.
By the way, Dive Guana sells those big a*s mugs too!

[Abacoparrott]

BahamaBec, On our trip last March, the water temp (probably around 74/75 degrees) was very nice for wallering with a Kalik. (I'm embarrassed to say we didn't snorkle, however we would have used the shortie wetsuits we brought had we snorkled.) Being from Southern California where the water temps rarely get higher than 73 in the summer, it was glorious!

That being said, I can be a real ninny when it comes to cold water so (more) blubber might be an option! Thanks NCDD!

Patti, how do you plan for everything and NOT over pack? I know Ken will say forget the underwear but, especially with Rick, I am not going there. (Sorry honey, couldn't resist!) The big question today is, do I bring a noodle or a doodle???


Tina

Well now, the guys don't need underwear 'cuz we like to let the noodle doodle.......we have found that this can create ENORMOUS temptation for our mate which results in something like the emancipation proclamation or something similar. After said noodle emancipation you will be praying for that perfect Abaco nekkid beach......:D Ken

[SamFamAustin]

My suggestion is to bring your noodle and don't doodle!

Now one of my favorite things is called "the butt seat." This is actually a waterski vest / life jacket but you position it under your backside so you can float with your chin above the water, which is good if you want to drink a cold thang. Put a hat on your head, a hat on the drink thang, and, well, do nothing.

Yup, I used to have an old Pink Butt Seat that was a wee bit past its prime for wearing on a boat. Some of the Kapok stuffing was leaking out so duck tape was needed. A noodle was then duck-taped to the aforementioned Butt Seat. Works like a charm.

Mounting the Butt Seat can be quite a challenge for some since it can be tippy at first, and no Ken it is NOT what you are thinking. :rolleyes:
-sammie

[TurtleDreams]

Actually I think I found the perfect noodle/lounger. I got it on home depot website. It's a floating hamock with blow up cylinders for both ends and nylon webbing between. Folds absoutely flat & takes about as much room as beach towel! Add a cold Kalik and the Abaco sun yummm..

[DaGoose]

Sammie, mounting the Butt Seat/Noodle? Either way you look at it, we will need a nekkid beach!

Hey Ken, Speaking of noodle/doodle emancipation (and one of the reasons Rick will be bringing undies)...a couple of years back we took our boat to Catalina Island. After being on the boat for a few days we desperately needed a shower so we headed off on the water taxi for the the public showers in Avalon. Once on land, it's maybe about a quarter mile walk to the showers. On any summer weekend, Avalon is packed with vacationers and day trippers, and here was Rick walking thru the crowds with his fly down and NO undies! When we arrived at the showers and realized it, I could NOT stop laughing...although for some reason, he didn't think it was that funny.

TurtleDreams, I'm going to look that thing up. It sounds perfect.

Tina

[Abacoparrott]

Rick's noodle was showin' all the way to Avalon! I feel a song comin' here........:D

Now about that butt-seat.....I have always used a throwable flotation cushion to sit on......works great. Also the top of an old styrafoam cooler makes a great bartop for floating your drink.....it'll just flow with the waves and will not spill....ken

[DaGoose]

Rick's noodle was showin' all the way to Avalon! I feel a song comin' here........:D

Now about that butt-seat.....I have always used a throwable flotation cushion to sit on......works great. Also the top of an old styrafoam cooler makes a great bartop for floating your drink.....it'll just flow with the waves and will not spill....ken

...although most of the crowd were young 20 somethings, much more concerned with how THEY looked, not some mid 40-ish guy with a 3 day stubble. At least we hoped that was true!

Ken, I like your style-cheap and cheerful!

Tina

[SamFamAustin]

THe Dustin Hoffman look is always best when approaching Catalina Island or Elbow Cay ... people won't take you serious if you are shave and have your hair fried, dyed, and laid to the side like a Pompadour. Hooo-ey, and don't forget those big inner tubes for the cooler fer hanging out in the butt-seats. /sammie

[DaGoose]

Arghhhhhhhh...........

Guilty as charged.

Gotta sleep now, fishing tomorrow.

Can't wait to see what wifey posts next :rolleyes:.

Stubby