Shipping a boat across the pond

[sds]

I want to ship my 45' (24 ton) motor boat across to The Bahamas / Florida.
Doeas anyone have any recommendations / warnings rgarding carriers ?

Also an advice on sailing / living aboard in The Bahamas

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[ArthurWood]

I don't know anything about shipping a boat to the Bahamas, but I can recommend some reading/reference books:
The Bahamas Cruising Guide incl Turks & Caicos by Matthew Wilson, pub International Marine?McGraw Hill ~$45US
Yachtsman's Cruising Guide to the Bahamas, incl Turks & Caicos, pub by Tropic Isle Publishers Inc ~$35
The Exuma Guide by Stephen J. Pavlidis, pub by Seaworthy Publications Inc No Price on it
All are available from West marine or Boat US.
I've cruised in the Abacos and intend to get to the Exumas before too long. Obvious things to watch for: very thin water, so cruise in the mornings when the sun is high as you have to nav by sight for much of the time.
Marinas charge extra for water and electricity, unlike the US. Swinging moorings ~$10US/day. Food is more expensive than in the US, but booze is reasonably priced.
In the Abacos, you can store your boat at Abaco Yacht Services on Green Turtle. We had to have our boat hauled for a repair there and they were very professional. There is diesel service on Green Turtle, but we did not have very good expce with the place, whose name I can't remember, with our petrols. The guy's name is George Cross, an American reckoned to be good with diesels but works to "island time," so you could be there a long time if you have a prob. Not a bad place to be stranded in, all the same. We were there a week waiting but enjoying ourselves with the company of mostly yachtspeople.
The next nearest place for service is Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco. Gt Abaco is the "centre" of the Abacos, even if it is at the S. end. Only possible tricky bit getting to Marsh Hbr is Whale Cay Passage where you have to enter the Atlantic for a short distance. If the weather is bad, there may be a "rage
sea" in the passage and you are well-advised to wait till it subsides.
Hope this helps.

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[ArthurWood]

And here's another book:
The Cruising Guide to Abaco Bahamas by Steve Dodge(highly recommended), pub White Sound Press, $15US

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