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The black one is a 2017 GTI se 130. The gray and yellow one is a 2021 Sea-Doo GTI SE170. Depending on how you drive them and what the conditions are we get anywhere between 3 to 5 mi per gallon. In the grand scheme of things it's not too bad.
Prices very depending on season. If I remember correctly it was between $4 to $5 per foot with a 30 ft minimum. I recommend you call Bimini Cove directly for the most up-to-date pricing.
@@Thisthat1234 which one? On the 2017 we just have a old second hand rack that is held on with stainless steel ratchet straps through the eyelets. I'm not even sure what brand the rack is. I put the pool noodles on to make the cans fit more snuggly and to offer additional flotation if necessary. On the 2021, I just ratchet strapped it down. Here is an older video of how I did that. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hGZ1IQ0VukA.html
No there's no cell service once you get a few miles offshore. Because of this we bring VHF radios as well as a personal locator beacon for emergencies.
Stumbled onto your page and this video last week, loved the ride-along. Just happened to also get my issue of ProRider Watercraft magazine in the mail this week (Volume 13, Issue 5 2024) and the organizers of your challenge ride to Bimini were featured on pages 52-53. That made me go back and re-watch this video and it all came together. My wife and I have this trip as a "must do" hopefully next year. We're riders with a group out of Eastern NC and have done several long distance rides and will bring a group ready to make the crossing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much! I've seen the article in ProRider, it's pretty awesome. I'm so happy for Shaun and Danni who organized the ride. It was the trip of a lifetime. I'm sure you'll have a great time on your trip!
Christine, please tell me where you got your glasses that you use for the jetski. Do they repel the water? I'm not having any luck finding any - I'm not even sure what they are called. Please help? Yours are cool.
Hey there! Thank you - Amazon affiliated link below for the goggles I used on this ride. For the most part the water stays out - it just depends on how much water you take to the face. Hahah! The water mostly will bead up and roll off the lenses. amzn.to/3XpVSfs
Ohh heck yeah! Doing this in June coming from Michigan. Your videos are great entertainment, and informative. Definitely putting on a bilge pump on before the big trip!
The Sebastain inlet, in the channel, is a 30 MPH speed limit. Outside the channel on the Indian River is a lot of no wake. And it isn't clearly marked, which is frustrating. I need to find a good map of the no wake zones. I don't go there often because it is so confusing, and so I largely stay in the channel. And there are a lot of FWC officers patrolling the area.
You can. I honestly stopped using salt away. Maybe I'll regret that later, but the owners manual only says to use freshwater. It takes a long time to clear the salt away from the system because it foams up like soap. With Sea-Doo and the carbon seal they can't be run out of the water for very long. I think salt away makes more sense on Yamaha Waverunners where the salt water goes into the engine and you're able to run them out of the water on a hose for much longer in order to get all of the soap bubbles from salt away out.
@@WeekendersontheWater that’s right. The owners manual does say that. And it’s even on the tag on the stern of the ski. I like how innovative you are with your Sea-Doos.
Actually Geico uses US TOW as their main boat and jetski towing service and it does cover over sea's if your in the bahamas waters or close to the bahama's US TOW can go into international waters and tow you back. As for coverage for fixing your jetski while in the bahamas "NO" but if you need a tow the US Tow service can get you. They have a international tow plan also in the US insurance package.
Thanks for the info. I've heard a few people mention some insurance companies may offer coverage with certain stipulations, but out of the 100 skis on our trip no one was able to show proof of that.
@WeekendersontheWater I just called geico and yes they use US tow boat and will do international towing. I know thos because i went and did the bimini trip back in 2014 on my 2014 yamaha VX cruiser.
Looks like your flag is holding up! Wawa paper sandwiches as per yoojjsh…😂 Fun video! You got your drone up quick to capture that shark! Why did it smell bad? Did I miss what was causing it?
This was all filmed the same day as the last video. Two videos at one time. Lol As for the smell, sometimes low tied mud just smells but I was concerned that with all the rain from the hurricane there are reports of the sewage systems overflowing into the bay area. I'm not sure if that was the smell or not, but a bit disconcerting.
That carbon seal on the Sea-Doo is real Achilles heel. Turned out not to be the issue here. It was actually my fault for over tightening that port. Well Yamaha does tend to have a reputation for better reliability, I've heard some issues with some of the Yamahas as well. I hear on the new 2024s are having top end engine issues as well as issues with the hulls cracking, paint peeling, and gas gauges reading incorrectly. Also as shown in the video a Kawasaki did not make it back either. Unfortunately there is no perfect ski.
@@WeekendersontheWater I would definetly agree you, but overall reliabilty in the ski market Yamaha owns it. 90% of all jetski rentals use yamaha. There is a reason for that. Biggest thing is every ski on the market can get over 500 hours on them if you take car of them. But even skis on the rental market choose yamaha over kawi and seadoo because no matter how much you throw at them they stand the test of time. 👍
On this one it just has the factory cap and then the one set screw. Drilling holes through the cap and adding longer screws would help. I was thinking about doing that myself, but I've been in contact with Flag Anchor Pro and they tell me they have updated the set screw since I received mine.
I think the set screw being too lose was the factor? I think a drilled hole in the cap area into the ski with a longer screw would solve the problem and you would be good.
Yeah, that was my first thought too. But then when I tightened it up that's when it popped off even easier. So I think what I'm going to do is I've already bought some longer screws to bolt into the normal spots underneath the cap, and I'll just drill holes through the cap and bolt the whole thing down.
My wife and I love your videos. We love spending the weekends on the water too. You guys do a great job of clearly explaining details. Go Buckeyes! O-H
Oh cool, I think you saw the video where I made my own. I have noticed a few other companies now are selling 3D printed ones. It's pretty neat there's all kinds of new accessories that people are printing for that pylon cover.
Thank you! I've always been the type of wanting to make my dollar stretch as far as possible, so I've always looked for ways to DIY things. It's a lot like Legos, just put the pieces together and see what you come up with. But unlike Legos, if things don't fit we have the tools to make them fit. Lol.
@@WillexMusiik lol, have not spoken about it. But maybe. I think the fact that we're on opposite sides of the country is the only reason it hasn't happened yet.
I don't remember seeing any two strokes. Most people had something newer. My 2017 was one of the older skis to make it. I think a few people did have some 2015s or maybe even a 2012, but I think they were all four stroke. Yes, a brand new Kawasaki broke down and did not make the trip back. Also a Sea-Doo sank. Check out the return ride video where I talk about some of those things. We also cover it in the FAQ video for more details
I always pack Mountain House meals ($12-20 per meal) on any trip I go on. Dehydrated, lightweight, water and airtight. Just add boiling water and a few min later you have a decent meal! My wife and I are thinking about making this trip next summer. Great information in this series!
Check out the Bahamas challenge Facebook group. They are going in a few weeks and again next year. All people sometimes have luck there getting adhoc rides organized. facebook.com/groups/bahamachallenge/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
This is not a realistic video on the ''cost'' of going to Bimini. You included everything you bought that are one time items. Like a radio, you aren't going to buy a radio every time you go. You might as well have included the cost of your ski and the vehicle you towed it with at this point. Cost would be, fuel, lodging, food, alcohol, golf cart or scooter rental, cruising permits, customs cost, etc. Not items you just have to have to make the trip. Very deceiving video title.
You're right, we are not going to buy a radio every time. But this is what we spent for our first trip. This video is for people who haven't yet made the trip. We even say it will be less next time. If you've already made the trip, then you know how much it costs. Also alcohol and golf carts from your list are not necessities either. Everyone will have their own list and cost. This was just our experience.
@@centralfloridaparamotor ok, thanks. That was my second guess. I've just not heard of it called a spear. I've not personally done a carbon seal replacement yet, and speaking to a few people there, I get the sense that most others had not either.
We do. Sometimes in the winter will drive down to Marco Island. Used to do it a lot more when the dome homes were there. Have a couple older videos from that area on the channel.
Awesome video. Are you able to clear customs and or fill out paper work right from there or did you have to go to a different part of the island to do so prior to going to bimini cove (sands).
Thank you. We filled out most of the paperwork before arriving. Once we showed up at Bimini Cove we docked abd then took a taxi to the airport to clear customs and immigration
We did see several people do it. Particularly with the Sea-Doo adventure Pro, that is a massive ski if you've not seen it. Also helps if the two people rideing are relatively light weight. That being said, I cannot imagine it would be a fun ride on the back. There is an option to take a ferry and meet up on the island later.
Loved this video! Will be making a trip here the first week of Sept!! You for sure have me rethinking all my camera equipment to be able to capture all the beauty
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video. Camera equipment (like anchors, lol) can be a whole rabbit hole of options. There's lots of stuff out there, all with their unique pros and cons.
Lol. I would definitely recommend using the restroom at the boat ramp before you go. I suppose if you have to hop in the water to clear your intake grate that may be a good time to go #1. As for #2, you may be SOL.😜
