W. Palm Beach to Key West Advice please

I wouldn't take the inside route if you draw more than 4'. I recently did Miami to Plantation Yacht Harbor through the ICW and found several shallow spots between Key Largo and Islamorada, touched bottom a couple of times with a 4.5' draft, not worth the stress. On the way back I found the Snake Creek channel to be a better option, with depths of 5.5 to 6' on the exit to the ocean side.
I'd recommend stops at Boca Chita, Ocean Reef and/or Hawks Cay before Key West.

Riverdance, I'm going to assume that you have your orange quarantine flag to fly, and make sure you have some cash stashed, maybe a carton of cigarettes, and a few bottles (half a case) of Rum, Scotch, Vodka. Bahamian customs officers are like dogs, they can smell fear...as in newbies clearing customs for the first time. The first time I cleared customs, it cost me 100 bucks in tips,(20 for everyone who said hi to me.) three bottles of booze, and a carton of smokes. From then on, I was considered OK...and cleared in 10 minutes, every time after. Just a word to the wise. If you plan on doing any fishing, make sure you buy all the tags. Speaking of fishing while your in 30 feet of water slow trolling 25+ foot deep diving plugs over reefs will guarantee big Grouper bites. I'd recommend 30 pound test with 50 pound fluorocarbon leaders, and put the drag in the corner. And just about every food joint will cook your fresh catch, especially if you offer them a free filet. I know you'll have tons of fun. Enjoy! And please reward your wife for being a good sport by taking her to a duty free shop and let her pick out something (major points for you!)

Maybe you had to bribe customs official because you were flying the wrong flag (Orange instead of yellow).

Calling bahamian customs dogs is a bit over the top... I have never had any issues there and we clear in a few times a year at various locations (BIM, cat, Andros or nassau). Never have I perceived a hint that a bribe would speed things up.

I don't know about Bahamian customs today, but the first time I cleared in Bimini was in 1973, and the Bahamas were a clearing house for the Drug industry....maybe that had a lot to do with attitudes back then. Bribes were an excellent way of keeping the custom agents from tearing your boat apart. A couple of 16 year old kids, coming over to go fishing was highly suspect back then.

I remember the bullet holes in the old Jack Tarr hotel. Some parts still smoking on my second trip into west end. With that, I can say alot about entering the Bahamas.

I have watch people in flip flops, poor T shirts, real bad dress code get kicked out of the office in Bimini. I have watch people be denied entry at the airport because of their attitude at Marsh Harbor airport. Same or next bird out while sitting in a very uncomfortable office. I witnessed a Canadian deported on the spot at the Jib Room.
I have always entered their government office with the proper dress code, required paperwork and respect of another young nation. Never had an issue and never had a reason to call anybody a bad name out loud like that Canadian (dumb ****). I have always been treated very well (less one night of poor service at Boat Harbor restaurant).

I can tell you the young customs lady at Spanish Cay had a baby 3 years ago and still craves chocolate. A chocolate cake is always baked at Great Sail the night before. One trip, her fill in got the cake. Every time shared by all in the restaurant.

These are good folks there.

I'm sure like all other places, Chicago, Detroit, DC, there could be some graft and sly, but I have never witnessed it there. Oh what I see in the U.S.....

I have never had an issue in the Bahama islands.

Let me tell you about flying into Roatan Honduras years ago......
I was broke by the time I made the dive resort..

I've never had a problem with customs agents all over the Bahamas. I never have had to bribe them, I usually do tip them $20 each after everything is said and done. I do offer them refreshments (water, gatoraide etc.) when they get onto the boat. Now the Dominican that's a different story......you pretty much peel off a $20 bill instantly to every single person that steps onto the boat.....and there are 5 of them.

With that kind of attitude to your fellow man, that they are some kind of animal, a dog that is well below your "station" in life, no wonder you were treated badly. I spent many years in 3rd world countries and have seen how certain types with this attitude get exactly what they deserve in return for their disrespect.

O.K. fine, horses smell fear as well...is that better? Jeez, don't you people ever people watch? You can't spot a newbie stepping off a boat in a Foreign country for the first time...not really having a clue as to what to do? Or how about a first timer stepping off an airplane in a new city...not knowing the airport. It's the blank stare, the pause trying to figure out where to go? Customs people are trained to spot this type of behavior, which is what I was referring to a dog/ horse, etc. sensing fear. You people get a bit too literal for my tastes every once in awhile. I wasn't putting anybody down....or inferring to being superior in any way. I've got a mate over in your neck of the world Kafue, PM me with your address and I'll send you a bottle of your favorite booze for Christmas...you probably need to unwind a bit.
And I wasn't treated badly at all, there's an Old saying "You only get one chance to make a good first impression." I wanted to make sure that I made friends right up front...after that first trip, I went back to Bimini 3 or 4 times a month for several years after that. Upon leaving I would stop by the Customs office and ask the "guys" if they needed anything on my next trip back....it's called building a relationship.

You have nothing to fear if you're not doing anything wrong!

NEO,
I appreciate your offer, I am sure you are a nice guy. Not trying to step on your tail.
Just that YF is an international forum with a great following (audience is even greater than membership!) and we have a small, very small responsibility to consider our posts before we hit that ENTER button and go for another drink or cruise.
Whether that is giving advice or letting a personal issue or experience be published on the YF platform that may be taken negatively. This is not just a chatter site.
Many of us take care on what we write before we post, in case it be taken offensively or is incorrect. We don’t want YF to be diluted from what it is and certainly you don’t either.
Not too much to ask.
Good luck and all the best.
Cheers,
Kafue