First Time Away

[Rag Bagger]

I've been learning from this site for over a year now and it's time to venture out. Tomorrow morning, myself and two others will be going to the Flower Garden Bank, in the Gulf of Mexico. This is approximately 120 miles east of Galveston, TX. We are planning that this sail will take three days. Sailing out of Kemah marina, this will be my first over night sail and certainly the longest time, out of site of land. Checked everything twice and ready to go. Weather looks good and our Baba 35 should fair well. Certainly stepping out of my comfort zone but if I plan to continue to sail, this is my next step. I understand the Gulf can get nasty, so I hope the NOAH forcasts' hold true. Thanks to Stu and everyone on this site for all of the great information that has helped my get to this. See you when we return on Monday.

 

[rbmcintire]

Ragbagger, here's some more weather data that may be useful:
http://www.predictwind.com/?gclid=CLDTsvL9mqwCFYSK4Aody1pANw
and
http://www.sailflow.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=169&regionProductID=30&timeoffset=-1
Looks like real lumpy, blowing in the 20's tonight, but winds easing a bit into the teens tomorrow. Hauling butt beam reach to get there and easing further for the overnight. Winds coming from the East on Sunday for the downwind run home. Have a blast, bro. I've been worried about the Flower Gardens since the Gulf Oil Spill. Post some pics!

Rob

 

[shipwreck66]

Congratulations and good luck. My wife and I just concluded a cruise to Key West (via Carnival) which returned to Galveston, and we very much want to return in our own boat before long, at least I do. Let us know how this turns out, I am envious.