Our Longest Ride Yet! Shakedown Ride for Bimini Bahamas

[@jestercinti]

You two are embarking on quite the adventure! It’s exhausting, but well worth it.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Can't wait, just a couple more weeks. I'm really hoping the weather cooperates.

[@jrg4435]

That's KAWI'S WATERS 😊BEST HULL..be careful in a sea Doo..

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Lol

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

I agree, hard to beat a Kawasaki Ultra for the crossing! Y’all stay safe, have a great crossing & trip. Been there recently, made the crossing several years in a row. #BiminiBound Billy D

[@OurNextAdventurejvh]

Just now getting some time to catch up on some of your videos!! LOVED THIS ONE!!! So excited for you guys and can’t wait to see your footage from the actual trip! Christine, you’re a rockstar, I wouldn’t have made it 10 min with open blisters. Hope you had time to heal before the big trip! Well, you’re both rockstars! I know you guys have been wanting to do this for so long! This ride looked beautiful!

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thank you so much! This was a fun and challenging video to make. I did make it up to Christine in the next video, where we went and did idle speed for 5 hours to see monkeys. Lol. Just got back from the Bahamas the other day. Those videos will be coming soon. Surprisingly the Bahamas ride was less difficult than what we did in this video. Better to over prepare.

[@OurNextAdventurejvh]

@@WeekendersontheWater Oh that’s so good to hear! I wondered if that would be the case since you guys said this shakedown trip was pretty rough. Can’t wait to see the videos!

[@OurNextAdventurejvh]

Oh btw, the ride map at the end was really great! Really helped visualize where y’all were! Loved it! And the bloopers! 😂

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thank you!

[@boovidz7525]

You should collect some more riders and Sea Doo Switch boats as well for the trip! I'm dying to take our Switch to Bimini!

[@WeekendersontheWater]

We are going with a huge group of about 100 skis and 10 boats for that ride. It's going to be an insane trip. You're right, I definitely don't recommend going alone.😃

[@boovidz7525]

@@WeekendersontheWater Oh wow! that is a huge group.. Can anyone join this trip? Is there an organizer to contact?

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@boovidz7525 here's the Facebook page. It's open to anybody. But the trip is scheduled for next week. facebook.com/share/tQFMMLb9rLdXiESZ/?mibextid=A7sQZp

[@alsavage6320]

Thank you guys for doing the best thing on trying to do what you just done on your practice run remind me of the time we took a 17 ft mako over to Bimini be careful

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thank you! A 17ft Mako? How did that go? I'm sure it was an epic trip!

[@alsavage6320]

@@WeekendersontheWater trip went great that was a long time ago I would do it again in a heartbeat you're doing it on a waverunner I love to do that

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@alsavage6320 I can't wait!

[@TheOceansideGuy]

Here in California we make rides to Catalina Island from Dana Point. .38 miles one way over the open Pacific. The open ocean is NOT forgiving for sure. I have a GTX-230 with the ST3 hull so it makes it a bit easier to cut thru the water. So I can imagine with your hull is a tougher ride in the choppy conditions. None the less looks like you are having a blast! Ski ON! Have you thought about getting the Super Rack for your ski?

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Those rides to Catalina look like a ton of fun! I'm sure it is rough. I think on average the Pacific is rougher than the Atlantic. I've looked into the Super Rack and others. Honestly, we don't carry extra fuel like this that often to justify the cost. Plus the extra weight and having to climb over it. At least for now we prefer to keep the swim deck clean, most of the time.

[@TheOceansideGuy]

True. Those racks are not cheap. I’ll be watching and waiting for your trip. Excited to see how it will go for you guys. By the way, have you guys intentionally capitalized your skis yet so you know how to flip them back over if it ever happens? It’s happened to me and I did have a friend with me to talk me through it. Since then, I flipped it two more times unintentionally by myself with no one to help. So thankful I know how to put the ski over. Well, I read the directions but physically doing it is completely different.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@TheOceansideGuy good point. I've not flipped these skis yet. But I've done it on a different ski once and read the manual for this. But you're right. It is probably much different in practice.

[@TheOceansideGuy]

Yeah, and a lot more freaky when it happens. So if you get a chance, you and your wife should at least do it one time. I flipped mine over in the active surf in the ocean and I was getting hit wave after wave. Was not fun. Anyway, be safe out there, have a great time and I’m looking forward to your ride!

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

It’s an adventure of a lifetime! It can be a make or break ride crossing for some. I have personally made the crossing several times. I have seen it flat to all out nasty where some were kissing land once they made it 😜🤪😂. All part of the adventure, everyone wants to go. But it’s not a trip for everyone. Y’all stay safe, have a blast. Can’t wait to see and hear about the trip. Billy D

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

@@WeekendersontheWater Anytime, glad to help. We just got back last Saturday from Bimini. I used about 16 gallons crossing with Gina’s 2016 Kawi 310R & 13 gallons for the crossing back to Key Biscayne just as a reference. 3 hrs going 2 1/2-3 footers average 25 mph. 1-1 1/2’ft 30 mph average coming back. Never hurts to have some extra fuel for the crossing.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@LifeBeginsOnTheWater that is great info. We have the smaller 16 gallon gas tanks with the Sea-Doo GTIs. So we're bringing an additional 10 gallons each. Probably a little overkill, but just for worst case scenario. Rosa going with a super large group, about 100 skis and 10 boats. So there should be plenty of helping hands.

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

@@WeekendersontheWater Yeah probably overkill for sure. The Kawi 310’s burns the most fuel out of the manufactures. Cruising 45mph we usually get 4-4.3 mpg on the Kawi, I average 5-5.2 on my 15 FZR. A lot of the N/A skis in our riding group average 5.5-6mpg. 5 gallons would probably more than what you would ever need for the 50+ nautical mile crossing dependent where you leave out of.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@LifeBeginsOnTheWater we tend to get about 5.6 mpg in eco mode. But that number can drop to less than 4 mpg at full throttle. I've not run the numbers yet on what the gas mileage is for sport mode, but I imagine it's even worse. Our plan is to try to use Eco mode as much as possible on the crossing.

[@ljke]

You make me want a jetski! It's been many years since I was on one. I don't know if I could ride that long at once though. I enjoyed riding along with you two!

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Honestly, this ride was a bit rough. We normally don't go quite this hard. I make it up to Christine in next week's video, when we explore silver spring that idle speed and see monkeys and manatees. 😃👍

[@ljke]

@@WeekendersontheWater I appreciate the honesty with you two in your videos. That's what make me keep coming back to watch. Also, saying how proud you were of her on how well she did made me smile. So happy to hear the next video will be easier on her. You two make a great couple on these adventures.

[@GuillermoMata]

This is SOOO coool guys! Im not far from this area would love to tag along. Lol sad for me I dont have a jet ski. enjoy!

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thanks! I've always thought that everyone living in Florida needs some way to get out on the water. Whether that's a boat, a jet ski or a kayak. There's so many places to explore! When we first moved here we couldn't afford jet skis right away, so we got on Facebook marketplace and bought some used kayaks.

[@pinarellorider9023]

Y'all are living the life! That cruise looks so exciting. Be safe

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thanks!

[@lakelifeandbeyond]

Great vlog, be careful out there! We’re thinking of going to Tennessee and riding from one end of Norris Lake all the way out to the dam on the Clinch River.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Wow, that sounds fun! How far is that? We love riding in freshwater, so much better than getting smacked in the face with saltwater. However we don't do much freshwater riding here in Florida. We don't like to swim with Gators.

[@lakelifeandbeyond]

@@WeekendersontheWater Norris is 70 plus miles and the Powell River is almost as long!

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@lakelifeandbeyond that would be a great adventure!

[@sheenbean2]

Christine, I’m so glad you’re showing me what it could be like. I will buy you a drink if I see you

[@WeekendersontheWater]

You’re too kind! Just wanted to be transparent about our experience. I’m hopeful it won’t be that bad :)

[@sheenbean2]

I’m going to be riding as a passenger if you find some good gloves that are waterproof let me know!!

[@sheenbean2]

Also, are you in the Bahama challenge what’s app group? I shared your video in there.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@sheenbean2 Lewis is in the group.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Are you Cait from the chat?

[@sheenbean2]

I can’t wait to meet you guys.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Same! It's going to be an amazing trip!

[@TheOceansideGuy]

Sea Doo Riding Gloves. I use them.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thanks for the tip!

[@Thisthat1234]

Can we get a video of your gas holder set up?

[@WeekendersontheWater]

@@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. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nni9YnyHZbuooaM

[@sheenbean2]

Eco mode it will be

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Best way to save gas. Should have close to 90 mile range in eco. Of course if it is flat, we'll open it up a bit more 😃

[@dybon787]

Guys remember the music around you can mess the video monetization. Maybe now is not an issue but later could be.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

Thanks for the tip.

[@VinnyBully]

looks miserable.

[@WeekendersontheWater]

You're not wrong. Lol 😆. Neither of us could walk for 4 days after that. Hoping the crossover to Bimini is more smooth.

[@lakelifeandbeyond]

@@WeekendersontheWater oh wow! I rode my GTR for the second time this year over the weekend and my thighs are sore today 😂