I'm helping a fellow to plan/prepare/deliver his boat to the Bahamas from Florida, and I'm just beginning to research the feasibility of various options (as I have not cruised in The Bahamas specifically).

Once the boat is there, and based somewhere, the owner will be flying down once or twice per month to spend a week or so aboard on his own. He is not a very experienced sailor, and when he is solo he will most likely be content to just hang out on the boat at a slip, hook or mooring, and swim, dinghy ashore and explore on foot, or maybe take a day sail if things are "easy." His family are more experienced sailors and will be accompanying him part of the time, so then they will be wanting to venture out a bit more under sail.

Right now I'm thinking about the following:

1) Location
As mentioned above the owner needs to be able to fly in and out (mostly to NYC or at least the Northeast Metro, but it does not necessarily need to be direct, and a ferry could be involved if necessary), and plans to spend one or two weeks per month on the boat. Ideal situation would be a slip or mooring that is easily accessed but with nearby "getaway" spots to anchor/moor and get that "out island" feel. He's not that inclined toward the "urban/group/cruiser" scene -- at least not for a main focus. His background is hiking/mountains/camping/up-north type stuff.

2) Services/boat systems
Right now the boat is rather light on water tankage, charging and power storage options, etc. Before making decisions about upgrades it would be nice to know more about what is available in a given "home base" Bahamas location. For example, will the boat be living on a mooring or at anchor when he is not there? When he is there? What is available in locations that also fit the desires in #1? If at anchor/mooring, what is the availability of "recharges" in pulling up to a dock for water or fuel, or to overnight in a slip with power.

2) Favorite guide books or charts?

I'm thinking that some of you who have cruised in The Bahamas might read this and be able to give me your thoughts.

Thank you in advance
CCA-Boater