Sail Houston to Tampa

[Don]

Thinking about taking a Hunter 40 from Houston to Tampa sometime this summer. Anyone done this trip? Wondering (1) how long it takes, straight shot, all things considered, (2) is there a good stopping point in between (New Orleans?). Other particular issues?This trip has been discussed here before, but I can't find anything valuable on the subject in the archives.Average sailor here but figure this trip ought to really sharpen the skills a lot.Thanks in advance.

 

[Rick Webb]

Stop Here

Here in Biloxi would be a better place to stop than NO. Biloxi is not quite the city as NO to visit however. If you would like any of the numbers for the marinas I would be happy to send them your way.

 

[Dave C.]

I agree with Rick

Have done the trip (Eastbound) twice. Once offshore, once in ICW from Cameron, Louisiana to Pensacola in a H34. Much prefer the outside route with a rest-up stop in Biloxi. Like the facilities at Point Cadet marina.Try to clear the Mississippi passes during daylight hours because as well as numerous oil structures and their related boat traffic there are lots and lots of big ships coming and going.That area is kind of the nautical equivalent of Loop 610 at rush hour.Also take plenty of fuel. We did the trip in June and wound up motoring over 60% of the time...no wind at all.

 

[Don]

To Dave C

How long did your trip take. I'm trying to map it out but can't get a handle the distances.

 

[Dave C.]

Don of Annapolis

I would have to go dig out my log to be exact, but to the best of my recollection it took about 5 days to do the offshore route from Freeport, Texas to Biloxi.We had a real mixed bag of weather. We left behind a late (June 1) cold front that stalled across the middle of the Gulf. We had every thing from winds from the NW, to N, to East, to none at all, then as we finally approached the Mississippi delta area and all the way into Biloxi it was no wind at all interspersed with thunderstorms.Dave C.