To those that have a VR5, would you ever consider a trip to Bimini from Miami? Assuming appropriate safety gear, i.e. epirb, extra fuel, sat phone, dual gps, fixed vhf, maybe inflatable raft, extra bilge pump, etc.....would you ever attempt a gulf stream crossing in this boat considering single engine? Have a 2017 VR5 OB.
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Originally posted by Purespin52 View PostMaybe I am nuts....
Jeff & Tara (And Hobie too)Lake Havasu City, AZ
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I have run the VR series extensively, including a VR5 OB.
While I think the boat will do it, I also think you will not have much of a safety line if anything goes bad.
I will say that the VR5 is well designed to do it - it has a wide flared bow, it has high freeboard, and it has a self-bailing cockpit. If you can plan the trip with a few buddy-boats, they my answer would be yes. If you are going to do this solo, then the answer is no.
I would partner with a local club (I know there are regular supervised cruises over there) if you want to go through with this.Matt Train
BOC Site Team
Chicagoland, IL
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Just check the weather and tell your plan to someone reliable and do not deviate from your plan. Tell them exactly where you are leaving from and where you plan to go, and call them when you get to your destination. Tell them to call for help if you don't call them by the drop dead time.
By the way, people do that run in jetskis when the weather is good. I plan on doing it with my 17' with outboard too. I'm going thru the ICW from Cape Coral.Esteban
Huntington Beach, California
2018 Element 16
Currently looking for 32xx in South Florida
Former Bayliners: 3218, 2859, 2252, 1952
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Originally posted by Download_Complete View PostI have run the VR series extensively, including a VR5 OB.
While I think the boat will do it, I also think you will not have much of a safety line if anything goes bad.
I will say that the VR5 is well designed to do it - it has a wide flared bow, it has high freeboard, and it has a self-bailing cockpit. If you can plan the trip with a few buddy-boats, they my answer would be yes. If you are going to do this solo, then the answer is no.
I would partner with a local club (I know there are regular supervised cruises over there) if you want to go through with this.
I've done the shorter crossing from Lake Worth to West End three or four times in 43' and 65' Rivieras with a very .conservative captain. I've always observed that I would not even attempt it with my 195. The smallest boat I've personally seen make the crossing is a 28' Bayliner and that guy was very very frazzled when he arrived. In fact, so frazzled he could barely dock his boat.
Others have observed that you are taking all the proper precautions. I would say, yes, all of them except the size of the boat. Sorry, if this made sense I would do it myself.
Bayliner 195 Bowrider 2013 4.3l 220hp MPI
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2019 F-150 3.0l Powerstroke Crew Cab 4WD
Albany, Ohio
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