1st Time Offshore (New Orleans to Destin). Advice?

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Aug 28, 2004
19
- - New Orleans
I'm getting ready to make my first sail out into (somewhat) wild blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Will be going from South Shore Harbor in New Orleans to Destin leaving the Saturday before Memorial Day. Boat is a 1983 Hunter 30 that's just been hauled out and tuned up. Two people on board for the trip. Any advice on preparation, supplies, timing, destination, etc, etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
May 25, 2004
173
Oday 25 Tampa Bay
epirb

You can rent an "epirb" {spelled wrong?} from Boat US if you don't have one. good luck, jack
 
Jun 2, 2004
87
Hunter 33_77-83 Montevallo Al
In at Destin

Wait for a 48 hour weather window. Get local current knowledge of Destin, the worse inlet on this coast, put the sea buoy and the current channel in your gps, don't try to come in even with good knowledge without stable weather and daylight and rising or full tide, take somebody with you that's run the inlet before if possible, and be prepared to divert to Pensacola or St Andrews Bay inlets, either of which are much easier and more dependable.
 
J

Jim Logan

Please post your trip experience when you return

Please post how the trip goes when you return...Many people from South Shore make that trip every year, so we would be interested in your experience and how the area is since last year's hurricane..fair winds
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
File a Float Plan...

...with somebody. A great precaution that should always be taken.
 
M

Mel Elliott

Destin trip

Make sure your VHF is good, and get the ch. number for the bridges. It will take the first day just to clear the Rigollets. You probably will never be out of sight of land. Enjoy
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
N O To Destin

Would you be interested in a buddy boating trip. I have done this before, but inshore, and would like to make the offshore run. I single hand, and have GPS chartplotter, radar and auto pilot on my 28' S2. Boat is docked in Eden Isles, right behind Oak Harbor. If your not familiar with the area, am between the hwy 90 and I 10 bridge. Hopefully nothing will come up to keep me from going. Phil Prater
 
K

Kevin

Great book for info

This is a great book, with plenty of info that would be good for you to have for that trip. Hope all goes well for you.
 
Aug 28, 2004
19
- - New Orleans
Buddy Trip

Thanks all, for the tips. They are greatly appreciated. N&E, I would definitely be interested in making it a buddy trip. My email is tclark30 "at sign" earthlink "dot" net. Drop me a line and we'll see if we can set it up. Thanks.
 
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