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Old 07-29-2014, 09:38 PM   #14
Steve
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City: Thibodaux, Louisiana
Vessel Name: Gumbo
Vessel Model: 2003 Monk 36
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,882
We usually do the trip as an overnighter, leaving around 3 pm and arriving the other side mid morning to noon. I like to slow way down after dark. Our usual cruising speed of 8 st. miles per hr. just feels way too fast for me in the dark.
Waiting for good weather is the key, we have had good luck with the forecasts on this site
Tampa Bay Surf Report (STORMSURF) below the chart on the opening page click on the sea height icon on the Regional animations - Gulf of Mexico line in the "MWX Pro control panel"
If you like you can phone NOAA the day of the trip and speak to a forecaster about conditions, I have a couple of times and found them to be friendly, the nr. is (850) 942-8833 If you need to you should be able to reach the Coast Guard on VHF from points along the crossing their tower is so high they recieve from a long way, I tried it once from just about mid way and had got through.We usually see a few other boats out there during the night.
If you have time Apalachicola is a nice stop too.
Have a great trip! Let us know how it goes.
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