Anyone have a good site for the gulf stream currents in the Gulf. Planning a trip from Tampa to Biloxi in a few days, and can't find any good stream info. Thanks all, I know the info. is known to some of you.
gulf stream
- Thread starter sailaway78
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Inshore Not a Sure Thing
Last Spring sailing from Panama City to Pensacola staying pretty close to shore 5-15 miles we had a pretty strong current against us. It might have been a local wind current but I finally gave up and motored about the last 10 miles to get into Pensacola. We tacked in and out a few times but made very little progress. The wind was right on our nose and the current pretty much took away anything we made during a tack. During a day sail I would have managed to sail in..but we'd been out 24 hours and the wife wouldn't let me sleep all night so I was really tired. One of those awful wind changes. Started out light winds but a beam reach. Over the night it got stronger but as it strengthened it moved towards the west so that by morning it was directly on our nose. Early in the evening when it was still out of the south and 15-20 kts I was wondering if I could get into Fort McCree at night!!!! Then with the wind shift and current we didn't get on the hook until noon!!!! The only advantage to going outside is that you can sail all night. Santa Rosa Sound is too narrow to sail through at night especially as you come out of Choctawhatchee Bay. Even during the day SR sound is too narrow to do much tacking. Also it's several miles of motoring from West Andrew's Bay into Choctawhatchee bay.
Last Spring sailing from Panama City to Pensacola staying pretty close to shore 5-15 miles we had a pretty strong current against us. It might have been a local wind current but I finally gave up and motored about the last 10 miles to get into Pensacola. We tacked in and out a few times but made very little progress. The wind was right on our nose and the current pretty much took away anything we made during a tack. During a day sail I would have managed to sail in..but we'd been out 24 hours and the wife wouldn't let me sleep all night so I was really tired. One of those awful wind changes. Started out light winds but a beam reach. Over the night it got stronger but as it strengthened it moved towards the west so that by morning it was directly on our nose. Early in the evening when it was still out of the south and 15-20 kts I was wondering if I could get into Fort McCree at night!!!! Then with the wind shift and current we didn't get on the hook until noon!!!! The only advantage to going outside is that you can sail all night. Santa Rosa Sound is too narrow to sail through at night especially as you come out of Choctawhatchee Bay. Even during the day SR sound is too narrow to do much tacking. Also it's several miles of motoring from West Andrew's Bay into Choctawhatchee bay.
She awakens. . .
and guess who's boat he'll be bringing back
I am still keeping mum about what boat it is...but when all is done I promise to post pics and specs. Phil, you have to promise to log in and tell us about each day out there B/Seadance
and guess who's boat he'll be bringing back
I am still keeping mum about what boat it is...but when all is done I promise to post pics and specs. Phil, you have to promise to log in and tell us about each day out there B/Seadance
Tonyb, I forgive you the blasphemy concerning
the easter bunny. If you check the link that I posted to N&E about the gulf currents it is independent of NOAA and makes no predictions beyond general seasonal changes. anyway the entire site makes interesting reading. http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/north-atlantic.html
the easter bunny. If you check the link that I posted to N&E about the gulf currents it is independent of NOAA and makes no predictions beyond general seasonal changes. anyway the entire site makes interesting reading. http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/north-atlantic.html
Inshore
The reason I asked this was my memories of the last gulf crossing. As TonyB said, 1.5 to 2 knots, SOG on the GPS, and leaning on the boat pretty hard. Current against us had to have been 4 knots, probably a little more than that. Plan is to head to Appalachicola, Pt.St Joe area, then west to Biloxi. This route should miss most of the loop, or at least the worst of it. Did some chart planning, and it doesn't add that much distance. Winds should be favorable, but pretty light this time of year. Have been mostly southerly 5 to 10 knots with a few hours from time to time of 15 knots for the past week. ( Actual readings from the weather bouys.) Total distance is approx. 400 miles, and I think probably four days, due to expected light winds. Of course always the chance on no wind, and have to motor, damn I would hate that. This is a really nice area to sail, and hopefully we can actually sail across.
The reason I asked this was my memories of the last gulf crossing. As TonyB said, 1.5 to 2 knots, SOG on the GPS, and leaning on the boat pretty hard. Current against us had to have been 4 knots, probably a little more than that. Plan is to head to Appalachicola, Pt.St Joe area, then west to Biloxi. This route should miss most of the loop, or at least the worst of it. Did some chart planning, and it doesn't add that much distance. Winds should be favorable, but pretty light this time of year. Have been mostly southerly 5 to 10 knots with a few hours from time to time of 15 knots for the past week. ( Actual readings from the weather bouys.) Total distance is approx. 400 miles, and I think probably four days, due to expected light winds. Of course always the chance on no wind, and have to motor, damn I would hate that. This is a really nice area to sail, and hopefully we can actually sail across.
Gulf Loop Current Forecasts
I just called up the most subscribed to weather service in the Gulf of Mexico. Wilkens Weather is a subscription weather service used by most of the oil companies, drilling rig companies, crew and supply boat companies and helicopter companies out here. I dont know and didnt ask about their basic subscription price for weather service but I did ask about the price of their LOOP CURRENT FORECAST. Put on your seat belt for this one......$3,000/Mo. and yes, I repeat $3K per month for the stand alone Loop Current Forecast. Its a very sophisticated system of forecasting. Tony B
I just called up the most subscribed to weather service in the Gulf of Mexico. Wilkens Weather is a subscription weather service used by most of the oil companies, drilling rig companies, crew and supply boat companies and helicopter companies out here. I dont know and didnt ask about their basic subscription price for weather service but I did ask about the price of their LOOP CURRENT FORECAST. Put on your seat belt for this one......$3,000/Mo. and yes, I repeat $3K per month for the stand alone Loop Current Forecast. Its a very sophisticated system of forecasting. Tony B
Going Inside
Between Appalachicola and Biloxi it is shorter on the ICW than going outside. The downside is there are som streches you can not sail and some where you will not want to sail. The upside ii it is a really nice trip and worth giving up some real sailing. By the time you get up here you may want to look at somthing other than water anyway. Give me a shout when you get close to here.
Between Appalachicola and Biloxi it is shorter on the ICW than going outside. The downside is there are som streches you can not sail and some where you will not want to sail. The upside ii it is a really nice trip and worth giving up some real sailing. By the time you get up here you may want to look at somthing other than water anyway. Give me a shout when you get close to here.
Rick Going Inside
Not sure what the bridge clearances are on this boat. Some 50 foot bridges east of Pennsacola. That is a nice run across there. We will more than likely stay offshore all the way though. There are some time constraints, so a straight run is the fastest way for us to go. I wouldn't even consider running at night inside.
Not sure what the bridge clearances are on this boat. Some 50 foot bridges east of Pennsacola. That is a nice run across there. We will more than likely stay offshore all the way though. There are some time constraints, so a straight run is the fastest way for us to go. I wouldn't even consider running at night inside.
Don't Let the Time Dictate a Safe Passage
I know you know that but it can't be said often enough we all push things at times and are just lucky that it does not bite us in the ass. I'll find y'all a place here to tie up the boatand leave it for a wek or two if you run short of time.
I know you know that but it can't be said often enough we all push things at times and are just lucky that it does not bite us in the ass. I'll find y'all a place here to tie up the boatand leave it for a wek or two if you run short of time.
Rick, thanks much
That is a very nice and generous offer, and very much appreciated. I will keep it in mind, and I can assure you I am not to proud to holler for help when needed. Hopefully the weather will co-operate with us, and this time of year, it should be pretty dependable, assuming a big storm doesn't crop up along the way. I met TonyB in Ft.Walton couple of years ago. In the winter time. Both of us tied up at Deckhand Marina, waiting out a strong norther, so I am a little bit familiar with the area.
That is a very nice and generous offer, and very much appreciated. I will keep it in mind, and I can assure you I am not to proud to holler for help when needed. Hopefully the weather will co-operate with us, and this time of year, it should be pretty dependable, assuming a big storm doesn't crop up along the way. I met TonyB in Ft.Walton couple of years ago. In the winter time. Both of us tied up at Deckhand Marina, waiting out a strong norther, so I am a little bit familiar with the area.
Current ...
Complete Gulf Stream picture is available here with loop current visible: http://www.wriwx.com/now_weather.html
Complete Gulf Stream picture is available here with loop current visible: http://www.wriwx.com/now_weather.html
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