Bahamas 500 research

**Bobf** · 10-21-2021, 01:53 PM

Hello!

I am writing a spec filmscript which features a fictional character that takes part in a Bahamas 500 powerboat race. I am in the UK (on the Isle of Wight), and so cannot explore the area in person. I have just started researching online for as much info as possible, but it would be really helpful (and I'd be so grateful), if someone could describe what the sea conditions are like between each checkpoint?

Many thanks,

Bob

**FUJIMO** · 10-21-2021, 03:05 PM

...4 to 6's mostly, but depending on the leg can be 6 to 8's from anywhere you come & go from southeast florida to the bahama's & back. again, depends what inlet you leave from, but a head sea going over & a following sea coming back. between the bahama's & southeast florida this size seas are about accurate because the islands out there tend to mitigate the really big stuff from hitting broward & dade county. with this said, there are rare exceptions when it gets much bigger in the gulfstream. palm beach county, north of broward county, does always have larger size swells & waves as they are not quite as protected by the islands out there, and why surfers prefer palm beach county & north, for the bigger wave action. hope this helps...

**FUJIMO** · 10-21-2021, 03:10 PM

...have been in 25-30 "swells" off the coast of southeast florida in fast, large, offshore boats. most fun you could ever imagine. if i told you the airtime, you would not believe me...

...

**Bobf** · 10-22-2021, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...4 to 6's mostly, but depending on the leg can be 6 to 8's from anywhere you come & go from southeast florida to the bahama's & back. again, depends what inlet you leave from, but a head sea going over & a following sea coming back. between the bahama's & southeast florida this size seas are about accurate because the islands out there tend to mitigate the really big stuff from hitting broward & dade county. with this said, there are rare exceptions when it gets much bigger in the gulfstream. palm beach county, north of broward county, does always have larger size swells & waves as they are not quite as protected by the islands out there, and why surfers prefer palm beach county & north, for the bigger wave action. hope this helps...

Hi Fujimo, many thanks for taking the time to write. When you say 4 to 6's do you mean Beaufort 4 to 6's? Can you tell me anymore about each leg? Lacaya to Great Isaac Light? Great Isaac light to Chub Cay? etc? Are there pretty flat calm legs and lumpier bits inbetween other legs? Which legs were the most tricky/caught most drivers out? etc etc? Don't worry if you don't know. I can keep looking for reference material online.
many thanks again
Bob

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:06 PM

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:08 PM

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:11 PM

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:13 PM

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:13 PM

**FUJIMO** · 10-22-2021, 05:15 PM

**Li'l Toy** · 11-01-2021, 10:46 AM

Fuji--wasn't the Bahamas 500 strictly around the Bahamas? Miami-Nassau ran over and back. I remember Odell Lewis being quoted (might have been on S&F) as saying the reason why he was so fast on a year he won it was that he did not want to be out on that water after dark.

**FUJIMO** · 11-01-2021, 01:24 PM

...yes, the bahamas 500 race left port lucaya grand bahama, out and around other islands, and ended back at port lucaya. 500 nautical miles/560 statute miles...