Need offshore advice, NC to FL.

[Ed Schenck]

Sometime in January it will be time to start moving Ladylove(H37C) south again. I have read the guides and done the online searches including here on HOW. We did New Jersey offshore, two big bays, and two sounds. But I know that the coast from Beaufort, NC to Jacksonville, FL has to be respected.

So the questions are: 1) how close to shore to not go backwards because of the Gulf Stream?, 2) how long and precise should the forecast be?, and 3) what wind speeds/directions do we avoid?

This is mainly about making some time, not doing the whole trip in fifty mile increments in the ditch. It seems that chances to duck in are, like NJ, not that available. Like some of you I experienced Atlantic City and hope not to do too many inlets like that.

It is also about being smart and safe. Even though I am 66 I will only have been married one month. And no, she is not going out there although she was my crewmate off NJ.

 

[ITMaster]

If You Want To Be Smart & Safe Ed

I think the thing for you to do is consider the ditch. That is going to be the smarter thing than trying to do it outside.

There is a race, the Carribean 1500 that leaves Hampton Va and runs down to the BVI's, Tortola. There are lots of stories about this trip and others down south. Check out this link for a sampling of what could be expected outside http://www.svquietly.com/ShipsLog/Caribbean 1500/Caribbean 1500.htm

I can't tell you how far out you need to go, since I haven't done it. My first trip down that way will be in the ICW since I want to do it smart and safe. If you are going to be solo, I would settle for the 50 mile increments and arrive safely.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Not that safe, but still smart.

I have done many miles in the ICW and find most of it very interesting. But there is so much down time. I have sailed offshore but usually way off where a lee shore is never an issue. And I love sailing through the night, assuming the weather is good of course. On a delivery from Tampa to Grand Bahama Island I had the 0200 watch and loved it. Everyone is asleep, I am in the middle of the stream making ten knots SOG, and alone with my thoughts. Only a dim hazy light on the port horizon to let me know Miami might still be there. I won't be alone and I would like my crew to experience some of that.

 

[ITMaster]

Here is another link Ed

about the stream. http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/gulf-stream.html

Sounds like it can be anywhere between 50 to not quite 100 miles wide. I'm not sure if you can run down and stay inside it between it and the coast line. Did you check out the charts at the NOAA site? They may help if someone doesn't sound off soon.

Good luck, I'll follow your chronicles. Be sure and keep us up to date please.

 

[kk703hh]

Well, you avaoid all north winds as that whips up the gulf stream. The prvailing wind in SE, so you want to be out far enough to not be in the gulf stream but have plenty of room to be on a port tack for several hours. The charts will tell you when to tack back on starboard. Always have the next entrance to the ditch as your way point in case something unexpectly blows in.

Me, I would cross the gulf stream on a south wind and tack back to Miami when the wind is out of the south or motor back across. It is really hard to advise w/o knowing the equipment onboard and the skills of the crew. Your SOG and water temp will tell you if you get in the gulf stream and then it is time to tack back on port towards land.

Of course the safeest is in the ditch.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[Paul F]

The right winds

Would recommend going offshore but staying out of the Gulf Stream. To make good progress try riding a North, North-East, or North-West wind. Anything out of the South will stop progress offshore. Have made two trips offshore going around Florida in 42 and 40 ft. boats. Both were stopped by southerly winds and accompanying waves. We had to find cover and wait for wind changes. With a southerly wind, the intercoastal is a way to make progress but as others have said access is not always available. On one trip we had to back track to find shelter. Passage Weather is a good site to get forecasts of wind and the Gulf Stream. http://www.passageweather.com/

Enjoy the voyage.

 

[Buck420]

Ed,

I've done the trip back and forth from Norfolk to the Keys many times... (6 of the last 7 years on my 420, and several time before that on other boats).
Always offshore from NC to Fla and reverse in the Spring.
If you would like to e-mail me I would be happy to give you what insights I can.
sail420lat@yahoo.com

 

[Ed Schenck]

Offshore help appreciated.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I really like that Passage Weather site. And I will write to Buck420 for his insight.

As for weather info, how far offshore are you still able to receive from the cellular towers? I know that off the NJ coast I was never out of Verizon range. But I also was never out of sight of land. It would simplify things if one could view the weather from the laptop with a cellular card.

Interestingly the surface and wave charts at passageweather.com show ideal conditions for a run down the coast(0850 on 10/28).

 

[Hermit Scott]

Buck420

Hey Buck 420, how about giving us the insights also. Though I am in the gulf, I would like to know about your trips.
Buck, you have a 42' boat right? lol
420 is Bob Marleys birthday. April 20. It's code for smoking pot.
I thought your screen name had something to do with that.

 

[bill c]

Don't count on Oregon Inlet near Hatteras. Treacherous.

 

[Buck420]

Re: Buck420

Hermit ... Ha, Ha, Ha, ... I can neither confirm nor deny .. although MY 420 was ment to imply my H420 (I think...)
OK... some insight...
First ED, love to talk to you about the trip cause I can't write but so much... but for starters....
If you stay within 20nm of the SE coast (south of Frying Pan Shoals down to almost (about) off Ponce Inlet, Fla, you will almost always be west of the west wall of the Gulf Stream.
Cell phone reception depends on how close the towers are to the coast along the way... but 5-10 miles is probably all you can count on. TV reception from the local markets (like Charlston, Savanna, Jax, etc) is good out to at least 20-25 nm. I like to watch the local news and weather while running offshore up and down the coast. Local weather radar is great... and most even give some marine weather. NOAA weather can also be received out to about 20nm most of the way.

I like to go Norfolk to Morehead City/Beaufort inside. It may take a day longer than going out around Cape Hatteras, but it's much more comfortable and safe.
At Morehead City, I usually go outside for 52-55 hrs to St Augustiine, weather permitting. From Morehead City go straight for Frying Pan Shoals light, than follow the coast about 20 miles out down to St Augustine. That way, you stay inside the Gulf Stream and not so far offshore that you can't get in if the weather (or other factors) dictate.
Another plan is a day run from Morehead City to Masonbourough Inlet ( Wrightsville Beach). Both inlets are deep and well marked and this offshore run avoids Camp Legune, many bridges, and winding, shoaling, channels. Then inside to the Cape Fear river, out, and offshore to Charleston or further, if the weather is good... again avoiding the shoaling, bridges, currents, etc. of the ICW.
There are several inlets that one can come into between Charleston and N. Fla.. (Port Royal Sound, St Catherines Sound, Savanna, etc... and Fernindena, and Jax. So, you have quite a few options.
I have found that NE winds in Fall and Winter make the run down the Fla coast often unpleasant. Staying inside is almost as fast and MUCH more comfortable (IMHO).

ED, going south in Jan is IFY... don't go out with any wind from the South... and don't go out if NOAA weather forcasts anything over 15-20 offshore because usually, in reality, you can add the 2 numbers together to get the true offshore wind conditions.
Have fun... anything else I can share???

 

[Ed Schenck]

Buck, thanks for the offshore help.

That is really excellent information. I will certainly defer to your experience as to the wisdom of going. Maybe we start down the ICW and then pick a day or two if the weather permits. The boat is just at the entrance of the ICW out of the Neuse. We'll leave with the idea of dinner at Beaufort and see what the next morning brings. Always wanted to anchor in Taylor Creek. I'll have more questions as I study the guides I am sure. Thanks again.

 

[Paul F]

Never to much information

Under the category of never too much information, here is one of my favorite sites. Did an advanced search on ‘inlets” and found Beaufort for example. You may wish to look and it and other inlets along the way. Could save in your laptop for future reference even without the web.
http://marinas.com/view/inlet/1669

 

[letterman]

We left some place...Southport perhaps, and did the ocean to Brunswick GA. It was one overnighter, never hit the Gulf Stream, was 38 miles out at he furtherst point (if I remember correctly). Easy motor/sail - sail.
Watch the inlets as Brunswicks was 8 miles out into the ocean. Here in Cleveland you would know our inlet is less than a few hundred feet out.