Keeping our 55 SF in the Bahamas full time...for now!

Been doing exactly that for over 30 years, my now grown children started going with us while still in diapers. Couldn't possibly begin to cover everything via a written post (too lazy). If you're interested, send me a PM with contact info and I'll call to gossip.




"craigsduc, post: 127207, member: 27865"]As we are getting closer to finally entering.....again.....the league of boat owners........at least I think we are! I wanted an opinion....and I,m sure I will get my share of them......which is a good thing.......about keeping our boat in the Bahamas rather than Florida. As we reside in Southern California and have boated our entire life.........albeit here in Southern California........we have elected to do what many would say is a form of insanity. That is to spend hard earned money on another #$*&%$** Boat.........and possibly keep it in the Bahamas no less which is where we have elected to use the boat as many times a year as we can.......while we can........and with our six year old daughter that is not getting any younger and absolutely wants ( and needs ) to be on the water like her Daddy and Mommy want ( I am blessed I know ).

I have had numerous people tell me we are doing what many consider a dream and to go for it but do it correctly or it could turn into a nightmare. As mentioned in other posts of mine, I didnt just fall off the turnip truck, am fairly well educated in mechanicals, have owned, maintained, repaired, and rebuilt numerous boats in my life, am a US Navy vet, but do not know anything close to everything especially in boating nor will I ever I am positive. I only know life is very very short and simply want to enjoy the rest of my life on and around the water with my wife and daughter for as long as I can. We both want our daughter raised on the water as I was.

I know.......its an illness that some feel should be avoided at all costs but there simply is no option for us. I feel anything can be accomplished..........Ok.... OK.. at least a lot of things can be accomplished in life if one simply puts forth the right effort, listens to those that know what lies ahead and have been there, and creates a reasonable game plan. We REALLY want to enjoy the Bahamas as so many have ahead of us. I would even go so far as to say we REALLY want to move where life is simpler , in a warm climate ( as we REALLY do not care if we ever saw snow again....at all ) where it is safe and modern enough to provide ours daughters needs for a healthy upbringing, and there is relatively no traffic to ever worry about again. A place where people are real.....and those that are not that enjoy holding their noses high and above those around them simply are not welcome. Any Suggestions????? Ha HA....I know, if I find such a place, all of you would like me to share the information right??? Well, we can all dream and talk about how we would like a better life for our families. We simply do not want to look back 15 years from now and regret not doing it. Most of this thinking and dreaming has prompted us to buy a boat on the East coast and take it to the Bahamas and commence cruising the area as many times as we can to get a feel for what it holds. I really would like to leave the boat there this season and simply fly in to get back on board. I,m told there are modern, beautiful, safe, and capable marinas there and that there are a few real deal individuals theere with ethics as well as capabilities to oversee our boat and help us properly keep it maintained during our absence. If this exists, I would love some suggestions as to places and possibly some people to consider. We feel we should be able to come out 8 weeks to 10 weeks a year over 4 to 5 trips. I know.....most end up using their boats far less than anticipated but we are planning to do everything we can to uphold that plan. We are looking at 80s vintage Hatteras 55s w 1271s right now due to budget limitations and accomodations we would like to have for visitors/us. I realize the boat should come back to Florida for periodic needs and that obviously is fine but if it can be done reasonably and correctly, we want it to stay in the Bahamas. We plan on paying Florida sales TAX which I believe is very reasonable on the boats we are looking at. We also plan on keeping it in the Bahamas for at least 1 year in the event we elect to put the boat on Yachtpath and bring it to Southern California. The state here wants around
10 % for sales TAX which would pay towards the cost of keeping it in the Bahamas for the year. I am not going to be shocked though if we elect to never bring it back and opt to move that way instead.

Regardless, I know there is a mountain of recommendations out there so please let us know of any highly recommended places and people to consider.[/QUOTE]