Hey Franklin, I was thinking about your plans for south Texas or South Florida from Galveston. I can remember taking a fair beating returning from SPI a few years back and if we start into the 3 day weather change cycle I'll be thinking about you. Are you going to single hand on that trip? I woke up around 02:30 on Friday and was amazed at the last front that came thru, Tara was heeling in the slip. Good luck and let us know how it goes.v6tf
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Still thinking
Tomorrow is the last day on this contract. I've just been submitted to a client for another contract that I have a very good chance of getting. Problem is, the recruiter says they are slow to react so I shouldn't expect an interview before Monday. I guess in a way, that is good. I just ordered a new anchor, 44 lb Bulwagga, and decided not to pay the extra $110 to ship it fast. It's supposed to be here a week from tomorrow. Anyway, if the anchor is slow getting here or I have a bad weather window, I will head to SPI. Otherwize, I will head to ST. Petersburg, Fl. If I go east and find out I get the job, I'll head straight back (I'll have two weeks to make it back). If I don't, I'll head down the west coast of Florida and then over to Key West, then Dry Tortugas, then Mexico, then either to SPI or straight back to Kemah (depending on the weather). I've studies the charts of the Keys and St. Petersburg area. Already picked an anchorage. I'm watching the wind directions and wave heights in the Gulf. I've studied the Gulf loop current and will try to avoid that on the way back. Not sure what I'll do when I get there but I will be by myself so I'm sure to take a lot of pictures. Sleeping plans are to set the radar alarm and then sleep for 3 hours in the cockpit 3 times a day (7-10 pm) (11pm - 2 am) (4am - 7 am). I figure I'll get 4 good hours of sleep a day.
Tomorrow is the last day on this contract. I've just been submitted to a client for another contract that I have a very good chance of getting. Problem is, the recruiter says they are slow to react so I shouldn't expect an interview before Monday. I guess in a way, that is good. I just ordered a new anchor, 44 lb Bulwagga, and decided not to pay the extra $110 to ship it fast. It's supposed to be here a week from tomorrow. Anyway, if the anchor is slow getting here or I have a bad weather window, I will head to SPI. Otherwize, I will head to ST. Petersburg, Fl. If I go east and find out I get the job, I'll head straight back (I'll have two weeks to make it back). If I don't, I'll head down the west coast of Florida and then over to Key West, then Dry Tortugas, then Mexico, then either to SPI or straight back to Kemah (depending on the weather). I've studies the charts of the Keys and St. Petersburg area. Already picked an anchorage. I'm watching the wind directions and wave heights in the Gulf. I've studied the Gulf loop current and will try to avoid that on the way back. Not sure what I'll do when I get there but I will be by myself so I'm sure to take a lot of pictures. Sleeping plans are to set the radar alarm and then sleep for 3 hours in the cockpit 3 times a day (7-10 pm) (11pm - 2 am) (4am - 7 am). I figure I'll get 4 good hours of sleep a day.
As for the fronts
yeah...that lighting can be pretty scary and the winds have been very strong. There's been so many rough ones lately I can't remember which is which. I know two of them were from hurricanes in the pacific that passed through. One was a front from the NW. There is another very strong Low right now up near MN. I have a feeling it will calm down for a couple of weeks but then pipe up again near December. I'm hoping that I will have a mild NW front come in that I can ride to Florida.
yeah...that lighting can be pretty scary and the winds have been very strong. There's been so many rough ones lately I can't remember which is which. I know two of them were from hurricanes in the pacific that passed through. One was a front from the NW. There is another very strong Low right now up near MN. I have a feeling it will calm down for a couple of weeks but then pipe up again near December. I'm hoping that I will have a mild NW front come in that I can ride to Florida.
Sleep
Franklin, You might want to gather that 4 hours in the daylight hours if you can sleep at that time. I guess the point is if your not on watch then you have to rely on the fact that someone else is. In our part of the world it's not the iron that does not move you need to worry about it's the iron that moves at 20k+. Your last snooze before nightfall is the most important. I cannot sleep even with someone else on watch on my boat at night no matter who they are. 4 hours is plenty for a few days as long as you can rest while you sleep and knowing that in good visbility a sailboat is hard to miss I can streched out in the cockpit and get some rest. Eastbound from here I counted 8 unlit structures in September on a trip from Perdido Key. I always keep the spotlight in the cockpit at night to shine on the main if the person on the radio is not clear on exactly where I am and sometimes they think they have me on radar when actually it's another boat. Good luck and have fun.
Franklin, You might want to gather that 4 hours in the daylight hours if you can sleep at that time. I guess the point is if your not on watch then you have to rely on the fact that someone else is. In our part of the world it's not the iron that does not move you need to worry about it's the iron that moves at 20k+. Your last snooze before nightfall is the most important. I cannot sleep even with someone else on watch on my boat at night no matter who they are. 4 hours is plenty for a few days as long as you can rest while you sleep and knowing that in good visbility a sailboat is hard to miss I can streched out in the cockpit and get some rest. Eastbound from here I counted 8 unlit structures in September on a trip from Perdido Key. I always keep the spotlight in the cockpit at night to shine on the main if the person on the radio is not clear on exactly where I am and sometimes they think they have me on radar when actually it's another boat. Good luck and have fun.
Radar
I hate to depend on devices but my radar has proven to be very effective in finding objects at night. I fine tune it just before dark and I think this is the key. I have noticed however that it will not pick up small wooden poles. I agree though that sleeping during the day is safer. Maybe if I only sleep 3 hours the first night that I will find it much easier to sleep during the day. Come to think of it, that's what I did on my last trip. Stayed awake all night because of the bad weather and then slept after day break.
I hate to depend on devices but my radar has proven to be very effective in finding objects at night. I fine tune it just before dark and I think this is the key. I have noticed however that it will not pick up small wooden poles. I agree though that sleeping during the day is safer. Maybe if I only sleep 3 hours the first night that I will find it much easier to sleep during the day. Come to think of it, that's what I did on my last trip. Stayed awake all night because of the bad weather and then slept after day break.
Un lit structures
Unfortunately, there are platforms out there that are not lit even though the coast guard regs say they need to be. It is an erie feeling passing within 100 yds of an unlit platform knowing that no matter how hard you look and keep an eye on the radar screen they are still out there and can sneak up on you at any time. Good luck!
Unfortunately, there are platforms out there that are not lit even though the coast guard regs say they need to be. It is an erie feeling passing within 100 yds of an unlit platform knowing that no matter how hard you look and keep an eye on the radar screen they are still out there and can sneak up on you at any time. Good luck!
lesson learned
"matter how hard you look and keep an eye on the radar screen they are still out there and can sneak up on you at any time." Radar screens can be tricky. I was sailing one night out there and was fighting a lee helm that wanted to head towards a lit rig. There were two objects on the screen but so close that it looked like one...the lit rig I was eyeing for several miles. As I got close, I believe 200 yards give or take, I saw the unlit rig just slightly off my bow. Scared the doodo out of me. I thought I was going to pass the rig with 300 yards to spare only to find out that I was going to be about 50 yards away from an unlit rig. With no moon and very limited visibility, having to look up to a very tall rig standing there is about as intimidating as a small child looking up to a large offensive lineman. After passing the rig I looked back at the screen to see that both did show up but I mistaken then for just one rig. Lesson learned: if there is any doubt, reduce the range on the radar screen to get a better picture and also break out the glasses to get a look. Also, don't sail within 200 miles of the coast without radar at night or a person on lookout with a full moon. Best to throw out a sea anchor or heave-to, light up your sails and then sleep it off.
"matter how hard you look and keep an eye on the radar screen they are still out there and can sneak up on you at any time." Radar screens can be tricky. I was sailing one night out there and was fighting a lee helm that wanted to head towards a lit rig. There were two objects on the screen but so close that it looked like one...the lit rig I was eyeing for several miles. As I got close, I believe 200 yards give or take, I saw the unlit rig just slightly off my bow. Scared the doodo out of me. I thought I was going to pass the rig with 300 yards to spare only to find out that I was going to be about 50 yards away from an unlit rig. With no moon and very limited visibility, having to look up to a very tall rig standing there is about as intimidating as a small child looking up to a large offensive lineman. After passing the rig I looked back at the screen to see that both did show up but I mistaken then for just one rig. Lesson learned: if there is any doubt, reduce the range on the radar screen to get a better picture and also break out the glasses to get a look. Also, don't sail within 200 miles of the coast without radar at night or a person on lookout with a full moon. Best to throw out a sea anchor or heave-to, light up your sails and then sleep it off.
Radar
I have a repetitive "reflection" that lives on my screen and someone more in the know told me it was caused by the mast, the dome is on the mizzen. I know it's there but because it comes and goes. I worry that a glance at the screen may lead me to assume it's the false echo when by chance that one time it may be an object I need to know is there. Radar is a wonderful tool but nothing replaces a diligent watch. The unlit platforms show up well on the screen but as much room as is possible when avoiding them is important, some of the structures are not stand alone and 4-6 spars may surround the larger central platform. Drilling rigs are hard to miss as the operate 24-7 and are lit up lit up as well as noisy. The support vessels that carry supplies and personnel are sometimes hidden by the rig and will surprise you at the last minute, all the more reason to stand off as far as possible.
I have a repetitive "reflection" that lives on my screen and someone more in the know told me it was caused by the mast, the dome is on the mizzen. I know it's there but because it comes and goes. I worry that a glance at the screen may lead me to assume it's the false echo when by chance that one time it may be an object I need to know is there. Radar is a wonderful tool but nothing replaces a diligent watch. The unlit platforms show up well on the screen but as much room as is possible when avoiding them is important, some of the structures are not stand alone and 4-6 spars may surround the larger central platform. Drilling rigs are hard to miss as the operate 24-7 and are lit up lit up as well as noisy. The support vessels that carry supplies and personnel are sometimes hidden by the rig and will surprise you at the last minute, all the more reason to stand off as far as possible.
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