Yacht Buyer's Compass | Minted Yachts

You've closed on your first yacht. Now comes the question every new owner asks: where do we actually go?

Bimini sits 48 nautical miles from South Florida—close enough for a confident first crossing, far enough to feel like you've arrived somewhere. It's where most owners cut their teeth on international cruising, customs procedures, and the reality of what their boat can actually do offshore.

Here's what you need to know before you point the bow east.

Bimini isn't difficult. It's revealing.

Most 60-80ft yachts make the run in 2.5 to 4 hours depending on sea state, your comfort with throttle settings, and whether you're fighting the Gulf Stream or riding it. Leave from Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach, aim for a weather window with seas under 4 feet, and you'll have a manageable shake-down cruise.

What surprises first-timers: the Gulf Stream crossing itself. That 15-mile stretch where current runs 3-4 knots north means you're not pointing where you're going. Your chartplotter shows a crab angle, your heading differs from your course, and if you didn't account for drift, you'll end up miles north of your destination.

This is where you learn if your captain or crew actually knows how to navigate—or if you need to.

Customs and immigration at Bimini is your first taste of international cruising protocol. You'll need your boat documentation, passports for everyone aboard, a cruising permit, and fishing licenses if you plan to drop a line. The process is straightforward, but it's also non-negotiable.

Dockage runs $3.50-$4.50 per foot per night at Resorts World or Big Game Club. Fuel is 20-30% more expensive than Florida. Provisioning is limited—bring what you need from the mainland.

A 52-year-old entrepreneur took delivery of his first yacht, a 2021 Azimut 66, in March. Eager to use it, he planned a Bimini trip for the following weekend. Forecast showed 2-3 foot seas. Perfect.

Except he didn't account for Spring Break traffic at Bimini marinas. Every slip was booked. He arrived to find boats rafted three deep, no dock space, and had to anchor in a rolly anchorage his wife hated. They left the next morning.

Lesson: Bimini has 200 slips total. Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season, or you're anchoring.

Bimini isn't the Exumas. It's not the glamorous Instagram destination.

But it's 48 miles of proving your systems work, your crew knows their roles, and you can handle the boat offshore. It's where you discover that the stabilizers actually matter in a beam sea, that your electronics package either delivers or frustrates, and that your confidence as an owner grows with every nautical mile.

The beaches are decent. The fishing is excellent. The water is absurdly clear.

More importantly, it's the gateway trip. Nail Bimini, and the Abacos, Exumas, and beyond stop feeling intimidating and start feeling inevitable.

First crossing done right builds the foundation for everything else your yacht can show you.

Ready to plan your first offshore trip? Let's talk about what your boat needs before you go.

For Specs, Details & Buying Options inquire: www.YachtSpecsDirect.com

Minted Yachts | Fort Lauderdale, FL | [email protected]