Gulf Crossing

Aye Sea No Snow has ventured out 

in to the Gulf of Mexico to where it 

Could See No Land!

Melissa and I would like to have the boat home in St. Paul this winter so that means a long voyage north.  To get into the river system (TennTom Waterway) we need to motor up the Gulf to Mobile AL.  The area of Florida that turns into the Panhandle is referred to as the "Big Bend".  The waters near shore are very shallow and prohibit cruising close to shore.  In places, one must be 25 to 30 miles off shore to find water deep enough to transit.

Who can tell me what kind of bird this is?

Unless a boater is intentionally visiting each little community, the logical route is to "cross" the Gulf from Clearwater/Tarpon Springs to Carrabelle/Apalachicola.  The crossing is about 140 miles.  Aye Sea No Snow cruises best at about 8 knots.  She will go faster but the fuel mileage suffers considerably.  This time of year there is 13 hours of daylight in Florida.  At 8 knots the crossing takes 18 hours.  It is mandatory to finish in daylight to a location one if not familiar with.  Leaving in daylight is also  prudent. Crossing the Gulf at night is not a problem.

I fed this little guy some leftovers on the dock.

Trick and I waited for a weather window for a decent crossing and headed out about 1PM on Easter Sunday.  The wind and waves were very favorable at the start.  The forecast was for improving conditions.  The wind and waves actually picked up but the were head on to the boat so it was not a problem.

We picked up a buddy boat in Tarpon Springs.  Bud and Phillys had just purchased a new 36 foot American Tug in Stuart Florida.  The were on their way home to Pensacola.  They had not crossed the Gulf before so they decided to follow (like I know what I am doing?????).  It was nice to have lights at our stern all night.

We motored out of Tarpon Springs in heavy traffic.  A ton of boaters were taking advantage of the nice day.  We even spotted some young people that were cruising by topless.  Once we went through the cut into the Gulf we set the autopilot on Carrabelle and settled in for a long night.  We had a beautiful sunset about 8:00 PM.  The moon was set to rise at 10:30 so it was very dark for a while.

About 10PM I notice a low flying aircraft coming right at us from our starboard (right side).  It was a Coast Guard helicopter.  It light us up with it's super bright spot light and made a low pass.  The it circled around and called us on the radio.  Turns out they were looking for an overdue boat and asked if we had seen anybody.  Very cool conversation with the Coast Guard.  Nice to know they are out there when silly boaters get into trouble.

Only 100 miles left to go!!!  Heading of 320 at 8.6 knots with arrival time estimated at 4:21 A.M . on the chart-plotter.

We gazed at the stars for a while and then the moon came up and we could see the horizon again.  It was a very uneventful night the rest of the way in water up to 80 feet deep.  With ten miles to go I slowed down a little bit to let the sun come up so we could see the channel into Carrabelle.  Our buddy boat friends headed off to Apalachicola as we ducked into the marina.

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

Trick and I stayed up all night and we were beat. The boat was filthy with salt from the spray out on the Gulf so even though I was dog tired I washed the boat while Trick put things away and then we hit the bunk.  Very nice people here at C Quarters Marina and weather just as super.

Sunrise as we approach Carrabelle

My sister Bobbie followed us on the Spot Locator during the night as did Melissa.  It was fun to make the trip and nice to have people "watching" to make sure we were safe. This experience helps me with my confidence in motoring about.  I am now ready for a Gulf Crossing or a trip to the Dry Tortugas.

I am doing a little boat maintenance and recharging the "old" batteries before we head out again tomorrow.  We should be in Panama City tomorrow night, Mobil on Thursday, and then Demopolis AL sometime next weekend where I will leave the boat for a couple of months so I can get home to the family.

Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs FL is the home to a significant Greek community with Sponge harvesting their primary source of income.  Trick and I visited a sponge museum today.  We hear a lot of Greek being spoken in the streets and stores.  Who knew?

Sponge Diver

Sponge supply store

This is how they string sponges together by size.

We learned about the history of sponge diving.

They closed the street for a party

Party in Tarpon Springs

The Greeks know deserts!!!

Trick in Tarpon Springs

Catch of the day???

It looks like tomorrow afternoon we should be able to cast off and head out for our 150 mile crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.  It will take 18 hours to reach "C Quarters" marina in Carrabelle FL with an ETA of 7AM Monday morning just after sunrise.  Should be interesting.  I am hoping for clear skies so we can take advantage of the nearly full moon to look for crab pot buoys.

Say Bye Bye Tarpon Springs!!!

Happy Birthday SAM!!!

Today is Sam's Birthday.  

In order to suprise him, Melissa flew home this morning from Tampa.  She walked in the office at 3 in the afternoon and shocked Sam and Josh.  What a good way to celebrate a birthday.  Poor Sam had to work since his boss neglected to tell the rest of the staff to give him the day off.  I hear that there is pizza and cake planned for later this evening.



Sam at the Dry Tortugas









 Happy Birthday Sam.  You really have a lot going for you so you can expect things will get even better in your future.







With Melissa flying out, Trick and I motored up to Tarpon Springs.  We only went about 12 miles.

Nice little city marina right in the heart of the Greek community.  Great if you like their food.

We are waiting on a weather window to cross the Gulf.  Right now it looks like a small window will open up at noon on Easter Sunday.  Stay tuned........

Waiting to Cross the Gulf

Wednesday April 4th, 2012

Clearwater, Florida

As we bid a fond farewell to Sarasota - Marina Jacks is a fabulous place to stay....wonderful facilities and Starbucks is within walking distance :) We motored in the Gulf of Mexico, which was calm, warm and sunny....although we were several miles offshore...the first mate prefers to be closer to land but it was a beautiful trip. We saw the Coast Guard practicing rescue exercises...at least I assume that is what they were doing. We docked at the municipal marina in Clearwater as reports of major thunderstorms are going to prevent the impending crossing of the Gulf.

The forecast is for strong winds and storms the next few days so we might be here a while.  Pat ("Trick") has joined us to help with the crossing of the Gulf.  Keep your fingers crossed that the weather clears and quiets quickly.

Farewell Sarasota!

Coast Guard rescue practice

Hello Clearwater...busy, busy

Ever wonder what happened to Jaws?

Yes, Clearwater does have pirates

local welcoming committee

Sarasota

This morning as I was catching up on some emails I heard manatee out in the bay.  It could have been dolphins.  Maybe even whales.  Okay, not whales, but cool never the less.

leaving Captiva

Headed out at 9:15 for Sarasota.  Weather was beautiful again. 

ready for the storms

Traveled the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway up to Charlotte Harbor then cut out onto the Gulf as the wind was from the east so it was very calm on the Gulf. 

The 1st Mate enjoyed the day of motoring north.

We traveled up to Venice and then snuck back into the IGWW for the balance of the trip to Sarasota.

homes along the Gulf

Hawk with babies

The Gulf is beautiful and only have to worry about crab pots.  The IGWW is a plethera of activities so always something to notice.

Very friendly bridge tenders.

These young ladies made Schmom very nervous as they jumped through our wake several times.

We pulled into Marina Jacks at about 5PM and then headed off in a cab to West Marine for electrical parts.  Back to the boat and things went together pretty quick.  And it all works so now we have full electrical shore power!!

Fountain at Marina Jacks

Missy and I had a very nice dinner here at the Marina restaurant.  This marina is so nice it might be worth considering a month stay next winter.  Key West does have a lot to offer though......

Captiva

Monday morning in Marco Island we walked to Starbucks and West Marine. I purchased and installed a new radio antenna so now we have better reception.  We we docked right next to the Key West Express and it headed out at 8:30 A.M.  Their service to Key West ends for the season the end of the week.  They sure had a load of passengers today as they all walked past our boat.

The weather was beautiful as we left.  Warm sun, calm winds.  Schmom was happy.  The Captain was happy.

The Dolphins are still all around.

Dolphins ahead

playing in our wake

We have seen several Sea Turtles on the trip but they are very shy and dive as soon as they see the boat.  We did see a couple of them mating just after we left Key West.  They are just too quick to get a picture of.

We made it to Captiva for the night.  This is a barrier island just outside of Ft. Meyers.  A single bridge connects Sanibel Island to the mainland and Captiva is a thin barrier island north of Sanibel.  Very much a tourist destination.  Missy and I had a very nice dinner at the marina/resort restaurant. 

Jack Sparrow seems to have lost another boat.

We had some electrical problems after we docked.  I will be looking for another West Marine as we travel north. 

This guy is not having a good day.

Sarasota is our target for today, then Tarpon Springs on Wednesday.  If the weather is nice my buddy Trick and I will be crossing the Gulf to Carrabelle sometime Thurs/Fri as it is an 18 hour voyage.  Then on to Mobil Al. 

Aint No Foolin' ~ April 1, 2012

First Mates Report ~

After a rather harrowing ride on the Atlantic ocean yesterday - today we had much calmer waters on the gulf side. We were up and on the water heading to Marco Island by 7:00 a.m.....the first mate is not really functional at that hour but she is a trooper! We went 90 miles in 11 hours...try it sometime, when you are in sun and 80 degree weather....it is a superior way to travel.

We spent a spectacular winter on Stock Island in Key West Florida mostly due to the wonderful friends and family that visited to enjoy the sun and fun ~ here's a minor pictorial......enjoy!

Rachael & Jamie are official KW sun worshippers

This dude is setting the trend in men's swimwear!

Darrell did some awesome strummin'

Sam in the cockpit on the way to the Dry Tortugas...who knew?

 

Kerm, Chris, Linda & Lloyd (with the beak) rafted up with us for a week

Atlantic ocean swim with Rae, Shelby and Julie

Sunrise in Marathon Florida April 1st

Bye Banana Bay Marina

Free dolphin show!!

and a hitchhiker...