Could Bimini 2015 be the largest gathering ??? (2024)

tim h said:

Could this year's trip be the largest gathering of Yamaha jet boats to date ???

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In addition to the largest amount of boats, this year is the first time that we are going to have a couple of PWC's joining the Fling, or as @justason says due to the size of the group we are no longer a Fling but a Cult.

Yamaha is crazy not to jump on this from a marketing standpoint. If this many Yamaha boats take this trip, they could get some good marketing/advertising pics and use them to influence future boat purchasers. I remember reading about those Kevin and Corrie Exuma videos all over the Sea-Doo website back in the day. I think he even won a free jetski for being a Sea-Doo super fan or something like that.

I have never seen Yamaha advertise in this way before, but seems like they are missing an opportunity to at least sponsor this event.

YamahaForMe said:

@OperationROL -- Assuming you can get 10 miles / gallon and average $2.50/gallon, you can make the round trip for $750. That's nothing, compared to a lifetime of memories.....

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In doing my math, we figure $1000 In fuel getting there and back due to stops and detours and going for groceries. Then you have most of a tank going across, most of one coming back, and some for cruising around. We figure at least 100 gallons but some of that is at the $6 a gallon bimini cost. So we assume $450 boat gas. So $1450 in just gas for one week! Then there is lodging and food..
@OperationROL
how many do we have going to midwest gathering this year? I think we have the number to beat!

jlcj7 said:

Yamaha is crazy not to jump on this from a marketing standpoint. If this many Yamaha boats take this trip, they could get some good marketing/advertising pics and use them to influence future boat purchasers. I remember reading about those Kevin and Corrie Exuma videos all over the Sea-Doo website back in the day. I think he even won a free jetski for being a Sea-Doo super fan or something like that.

I have never seen Yamaha advertise in this way before, but seems like they are missing an opportunity to at least sponsor this event.

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I agree totally. I'm pretty sure Kevin is in their marketing photos on their website now.

Ramblin Wreck said:

I agree totally. I'm pretty sure Kevin is in their marketing photos on their website now.

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The first trip in 2011 we did have a factory Yamaha sales rep join us but he came undercover. It wasn't until a couple of days into the trip that he let the cat out of the bag. His being there was more his request not Yamaha's wanting any intelligence. He did have a few Yamaha goodies to hand out, that is how I got the red Yamaha banner flying off the side of my bimini top.

Stefan Fromm said:

I would love to do a trip like this...unfortunately we live 3200 miles from Ft. Lauderdale!

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Just think about all the sights that you would see on the way!

YamahaForMe said:

@OperationROL -- Assuming you can get 10 miles / gallon and average $2.50/gallon, you can make the round trip for $750. That's nothing, compared to a lifetime of memories.....

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True, but you forgot the food stops, hotel stay and all the other expenses.......I have become cheap in my older days. I finally started thinking of my 16, 13, 13, 9 year olds and their overlapping tuitions in a few years.

Bruce said:

Ignoring the future tuition needs of your 16, 13, 13 and 9 year olds, how could you let them grow up without experiencing Bimini?

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You are right. I will try to ignore it next year. We could treat that as our family vacation next year.

Bruce said:

Ignoring the future tuition needs of your 16, 13, 13 and 9 year olds, how could you let them grow up without experiencing Bimini?

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Also, @OperationROL , if you are demonstrably broke when your kids fill out the FAF form, you will get a lot more federal aid & qualify for far more need-based scholarships. Win-win!

GTBRMC said:

Also, @OperationROL , if you are demonstrably broke when your kids fill out the FAF form, you will get a lot more federal aid & qualify for far more need-based scholarships. Win-win!

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Never works for me. I never qualify for anything. I pay many, many taxes, but somehow, never get considered for any breaks. Go figure!.........but I like your thought process.