I have bought a 1974 27' Oday in St. Petersburg, Florida and want to sail it back to Galveston, Texas. The boat is in very good condition with good sails and a 1GM Yanmar diesel engine. I am new to sailing but have taken lessons and the instructor after watching me handle his boat said I would have no problems in sailing the boat to Texas. I would like to do this between Sept. and Nov. and have ten days available. I can also do it in stages. What route should I take, straight across or the ICW? Any other advice would be appreciated.
Sailing From St. Petersburg, Florida to Galveston,
- Thread starter Craig Warren
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..are you serious???
Sep to Nov? Are you nuts? That is peak hurricane season, uh does the name Katrina ring a bell? Okay, heat off. People in 50' Hinkleys won't do that run during the season. Oh, there are more than a few idiots who take the ditch, but that is even worse. Even a tropical storm cna tear you a new one and get you a permanent insurance cancellation. No, hold off on that one fro late Spring when the 'northers become less frequent or if you are lucky after Thanksgiving or so just before the 'northers' get into full swing and the southeasterlies are still around. But NEVER from mid-June to mid-Nov. ...and besides no matter what your instructor may have told you, neither your experience or that boats stock condition(it requires a lot of 'beefing up') are ready for the Gulf! g'Luk
Sep to Nov? Are you nuts? That is peak hurricane season, uh does the name Katrina ring a bell? Okay, heat off. People in 50' Hinkleys won't do that run during the season. Oh, there are more than a few idiots who take the ditch, but that is even worse. Even a tropical storm cna tear you a new one and get you a permanent insurance cancellation. No, hold off on that one fro late Spring when the 'northers become less frequent or if you are lucky after Thanksgiving or so just before the 'northers' get into full swing and the southeasterlies are still around. But NEVER from mid-June to mid-Nov. ...and besides no matter what your instructor may have told you, neither your experience or that boats stock condition(it requires a lot of 'beefing up') are ready for the Gulf! g'Luk
Go for it
It is not a very long trip but I would stay close to shore and keeep a close eye on the weather so you can duck in if you have to avoid a serious storm.I would try to follow a course that would not take me too far off the coast if at all possible , otherwise put it off to a safer time . I would do it but I would definatly have a way to get current accurate forecasts. We knew in advance that Katrina was on her way quite a while before it arrived and if you are not that far off the coast you can at least get to safety.
It is not a very long trip but I would stay close to shore and keeep a close eye on the weather so you can duck in if you have to avoid a serious storm.I would try to follow a course that would not take me too far off the coast if at all possible , otherwise put it off to a safer time . I would do it but I would definatly have a way to get current accurate forecasts. We knew in advance that Katrina was on her way quite a while before it arrived and if you are not that far off the coast you can at least get to safety.
Short gulf hops
I also have a 1974 O'Day 27 (in Corpus Christi). I will sail it in the gulf on good days (when you can pick the weather). I have over 10 years sailing experience and would not consider taking it straight across. You need a shake-down cruise as well as the boat. It would be foolish to do either shake-down on a long trip far from shore. You never know when a water impeller will fail, a sail (or two)will rip, a bolt come loose, a shroud/stay snap, or any of a million other things. Untill you know the boat very well, stay close to shore. Test your EPIRB and both VHF radios (one handheld) and get extra batteries for the GPS before casting off. The ICW would take way too long (and be extremely boring) since you really can't sail it at night. I suggest planning the trip in short hops so you can run to the nearest port in case of problems. In less than perfect weather, take the ICW and in good weather cut 1 or 2 days across the gulf to a good harbor. The O'Day 27 is a good boat. I've sailed mine in 25 knot winds gusting to 30+ and she handled beautifully. It gave me great respect for the boat. Feel free to contact me directly at jimcookk@msn.com if you have any other questions. Good Luck, Capt. Jim
I also have a 1974 O'Day 27 (in Corpus Christi). I will sail it in the gulf on good days (when you can pick the weather). I have over 10 years sailing experience and would not consider taking it straight across. You need a shake-down cruise as well as the boat. It would be foolish to do either shake-down on a long trip far from shore. You never know when a water impeller will fail, a sail (or two)will rip, a bolt come loose, a shroud/stay snap, or any of a million other things. Untill you know the boat very well, stay close to shore. Test your EPIRB and both VHF radios (one handheld) and get extra batteries for the GPS before casting off. The ICW would take way too long (and be extremely boring) since you really can't sail it at night. I suggest planning the trip in short hops so you can run to the nearest port in case of problems. In less than perfect weather, take the ICW and in good weather cut 1 or 2 days across the gulf to a good harbor. The O'Day 27 is a good boat. I've sailed mine in 25 knot winds gusting to 30+ and she handled beautifully. It gave me great respect for the boat. Feel free to contact me directly at jimcookk@msn.com if you have any other questions. Good Luck, Capt. Jim
Yep....stay close to shore
If I were you, since it's a new boat, I wouldn't want to be out of radio range and quick help if I needed it...so maybe no more then 5-20 miles from shore. Lots of stuff can go wrong and it does take a while to learn about your boat. Before you go your going to want to know what to do if the following happen: 1) Rudder breaks 2) Sails rip 3) Battery goes dead 4) GPS breaks 5) Shoud or spreader breaks 6) Halyard breaks 7) How to get unstuck if you run aground. Before you leave make sure you plan each day's leg and know where your going to have a safe harbor in each leg. Have charts of all these harbors so you don't run aground comming in and study them before you leave so you will not have to read everything when all hell is breaking loose. Also try like hell to get some kind of crew to go along, even if it's somebody to hold the wheel while you adjust the sails when the wind has picked up so strong that the autopilot can't hold course. Oh yeah...just as much danger as the storms is the drift coming from the rivers since you will be so close to shore. When you get to Galveston, don't cut the Jetty's corners...the rocks will eat you up and don't get close to the north/east side of any piece of land or jetty that can catch the mud being washed down the coast from the Miss river or you will run aground. One last thing....learn how to speak spanish, just in case you go to far
Just kidding In otherwords, in sailing you have to pay close attention to Murphy's Law.
If I were you, since it's a new boat, I wouldn't want to be out of radio range and quick help if I needed it...so maybe no more then 5-20 miles from shore. Lots of stuff can go wrong and it does take a while to learn about your boat. Before you go your going to want to know what to do if the following happen: 1) Rudder breaks 2) Sails rip 3) Battery goes dead 4) GPS breaks 5) Shoud or spreader breaks 6) Halyard breaks 7) How to get unstuck if you run aground. Before you leave make sure you plan each day's leg and know where your going to have a safe harbor in each leg. Have charts of all these harbors so you don't run aground comming in and study them before you leave so you will not have to read everything when all hell is breaking loose. Also try like hell to get some kind of crew to go along, even if it's somebody to hold the wheel while you adjust the sails when the wind has picked up so strong that the autopilot can't hold course. Oh yeah...just as much danger as the storms is the drift coming from the rivers since you will be so close to shore. When you get to Galveston, don't cut the Jetty's corners...the rocks will eat you up and don't get close to the north/east side of any piece of land or jetty that can catch the mud being washed down the coast from the Miss river or you will run aground. One last thing....learn how to speak spanish, just in case you go to far
Just kidding In otherwords, in sailing you have to pay close attention to Murphy's Law.10 Days?
10 days isn't enough for this trip, you'd either need more time, more experience, or do it in stages. Probably a combination of the three would be best. It's about 640 miles, if you were able to sail straight. You don't want to do that crossing during the night, so figuring 10 hours of sailing a day at 6 knots, you'd still be short. But, some things to figure in: You won't do 6 knots. You will have things go wrong. You probably won't get 10 hours of steady sailing every day. If instead, you follow the coast line (which is what you should do), you've got a trip closer to 800 miles or more, depending on your exact route. If you want to make such a trip, you should count on sailing it in steps.
10 days isn't enough for this trip, you'd either need more time, more experience, or do it in stages. Probably a combination of the three would be best. It's about 640 miles, if you were able to sail straight. You don't want to do that crossing during the night, so figuring 10 hours of sailing a day at 6 knots, you'd still be short. But, some things to figure in: You won't do 6 knots. You will have things go wrong. You probably won't get 10 hours of steady sailing every day. If instead, you follow the coast line (which is what you should do), you've got a trip closer to 800 miles or more, depending on your exact route. If you want to make such a trip, you should count on sailing it in steps.
It can be done
in 10 days. If somebody is on watch for things such as ships and rigs, then the only real danger is floating objects which are normally around the river mouths. I would not suggest trying this singlehandedly, but many crews sail at night along the shore with no problem. Heck...I bet half of us would hit a floating log during the day time if we crossed paths with it just because we wouldn't be paying attention. At night you don't have a chance to see it, but daytime we relax and miss a lot too. Rigs and ships should be picked out by the watch but will have to pay close attention for the rigs with no lights. A working GPS should keep them well away from shore and let them know when they are approaching a river mouth. As for sailing only during the day...I've put in 14 hour days sailing on 3 day weekends in the gulf singlehanded....I see no reason why they wouldn't be able to at least do 14 hours of 5 knots with a two person crew or more given a 10 knot wind.
in 10 days. If somebody is on watch for things such as ships and rigs, then the only real danger is floating objects which are normally around the river mouths. I would not suggest trying this singlehandedly, but many crews sail at night along the shore with no problem. Heck...I bet half of us would hit a floating log during the day time if we crossed paths with it just because we wouldn't be paying attention. At night you don't have a chance to see it, but daytime we relax and miss a lot too. Rigs and ships should be picked out by the watch but will have to pay close attention for the rigs with no lights. A working GPS should keep them well away from shore and let them know when they are approaching a river mouth. As for sailing only during the day...I've put in 14 hour days sailing on 3 day weekends in the gulf singlehanded....I see no reason why they wouldn't be able to at least do 14 hours of 5 knots with a two person crew or more given a 10 knot wind.
10 Days - New Boat Owner
Franklin, I wasn't trying to say IT couldn't be done, I was trying to address HIS question. I got the definite impression he was going to attempt to sail it by himself. Even if he wasn't, would you really recommend a beginning sailor skipper such a trip setting a full watch crew sailing at night? I certainly wouldn't.
Franklin, I wasn't trying to say IT couldn't be done, I was trying to address HIS question. I got the definite impression he was going to attempt to sail it by himself. Even if he wasn't, would you really recommend a beginning sailor skipper such a trip setting a full watch crew sailing at night? I certainly wouldn't.
No Way!!
Come on Craig.. If Katrina did not get your attention then a sudden tropical storm in the Gulf while your miles off shore certainly will. Lets face it your a NOVICE! Sitting at home looking at charts and reading up on Tristan Jones with your mind on a solo journey across the gulf in hurricane season is not for the beginner. Heck its not for any prudent sailor! Your instructor is wrong for promoting this event regardless of your capacity to hold the boat steady under sail. If your crazy enough to try this then for god's sake tow a dinghy, install an autopilot, carry two EPIRB's, check the operation of your radio constantly, install a weather radar system and bring survival gear. A ten day window for that distance is too narrow and reliance on good weather is too risky. Skirting the coastline (the Big Bend by the way is desolate for many miles)would require more time. This sounds like a stunt the frat. boys would push on a new pledge!! Lets be reasonable, even the most seasoned sailor would hold off on a voyage like this without an able crew, excellent safety equipment, and making great friends with every Coast Guard Station along the way. You cannot ensure two weeks of good weather during this season in the Gulf of Mexico. Look into the cost of transporting overland. Bob
Come on Craig.. If Katrina did not get your attention then a sudden tropical storm in the Gulf while your miles off shore certainly will. Lets face it your a NOVICE! Sitting at home looking at charts and reading up on Tristan Jones with your mind on a solo journey across the gulf in hurricane season is not for the beginner. Heck its not for any prudent sailor! Your instructor is wrong for promoting this event regardless of your capacity to hold the boat steady under sail. If your crazy enough to try this then for god's sake tow a dinghy, install an autopilot, carry two EPIRB's, check the operation of your radio constantly, install a weather radar system and bring survival gear. A ten day window for that distance is too narrow and reliance on good weather is too risky. Skirting the coastline (the Big Bend by the way is desolate for many miles)would require more time. This sounds like a stunt the frat. boys would push on a new pledge!! Lets be reasonable, even the most seasoned sailor would hold off on a voyage like this without an able crew, excellent safety equipment, and making great friends with every Coast Guard Station along the way. You cannot ensure two weeks of good weather during this season in the Gulf of Mexico. Look into the cost of transporting overland. Bob
Bob
If he stuck within radio range, he could get weather updates hourly or even more. If he is only 10 miles off shore then he could surely find someplace to hole up within a handful or two of hours. I can't think of any storm that has developed within two days of the northern gulf coast, let alone at this time of the season...June is when they tend to develop in the Gulf and even then you have more then two days. If he has a crew and is very careful around river outlets he should be fine and just might make it in 10 days (it's definately possible). If not, he can park it and come back or call in sick for a couple days I do agree that he may not make it in 10 days because if he isn't flying a spin then he mostlikely will need about 10 knots of wind to get 5 knots of speed because he mostlikely will be running and getting a steady 10 knots for 10 days may not happen (but a better chance of it at that time of year then summer time). I think if I were him, I would sail it too. He may only get 200 miles before he has to park it but that's 200 miles closer and he gained some experience for the next leg instead of letting it sit there until next spring. Sure...he could spend the money and get it transported but he may not have the money and he also will not gain the experience. BUT...NO way should he sail straight across and don't sail at night singlehanded. Either stop at a safe harbor or heavy-to while sleeping in the cockpit tethered in. Radar would help but taking his time is more important.
If he stuck within radio range, he could get weather updates hourly or even more. If he is only 10 miles off shore then he could surely find someplace to hole up within a handful or two of hours. I can't think of any storm that has developed within two days of the northern gulf coast, let alone at this time of the season...June is when they tend to develop in the Gulf and even then you have more then two days. If he has a crew and is very careful around river outlets he should be fine and just might make it in 10 days (it's definately possible). If not, he can park it and come back or call in sick for a couple days
I do agree that he may not make it in 10 days because if he isn't flying a spin then he mostlikely will need about 10 knots of wind to get 5 knots of speed because he mostlikely will be running and getting a steady 10 knots for 10 days may not happen (but a better chance of it at that time of year then summer time). I think if I were him, I would sail it too. He may only get 200 miles before he has to park it but that's 200 miles closer and he gained some experience for the next leg instead of letting it sit there until next spring. Sure...he could spend the money and get it transported but he may not have the money and he also will not gain the experience. BUT...NO way should he sail straight across and don't sail at night singlehanded. Either stop at a safe harbor or heavy-to while sleeping in the cockpit tethered in. Radar would help but taking his time is more important.
have any of you guys actually made...
...this trip, because the numbers don't add up to me. Straight across is about 700 miles, round the coast is more like 900. If he's going to heave to at night or duck in to avoid weather there's no way be makes it in 10 days. I've always wanted to make that trip (the other way actually) and I figured on at least 3 to 4 weeks. That would include a few stops for provisioning or rest. I agree with the poster that recommended a shake down cruise. I also think he should consider hiring an experienced crew to help.
...this trip, because the numbers don't add up to me. Straight across is about 700 miles, round the coast is more like 900. If he's going to heave to at night or duck in to avoid weather there's no way be makes it in 10 days. I've always wanted to make that trip (the other way actually) and I figured on at least 3 to 4 weeks. That would include a few stops for provisioning or rest. I agree with the poster that recommended a shake down cruise. I also think he should consider hiring an experienced crew to help.
Honeyman
Actually I had planned 17 days but my summer vacation plans have been interrupted so I've stuck to 3 day trips around the coast. Still thinking about Harvest Moon this fall but looks like work is getting in the way again. Cancun may be next spring.
Actually I had planned 17 days but my summer vacation plans have been interrupted so I've stuck to 3 day trips around the coast. Still thinking about Harvest Moon this fall but looks like work is getting in the way again. Cancun may be next spring.
and....
if he is able to sail straight through with 5 knots he can travel 1200 miles in 10 days. Would it be demanding, yes. Would he be lucky, yes. Is it possible, yes. If he doesn't make it, guess what...he just got his boat a lot closer with that "shake down cruise" completed and the next leg will be a much easier task. You people keep getting stuck on this idea that he has to do it in 10 days. Even he said that even though that's the goal, he could park it and come back. He said he already bought it, so that means he is paying for the slip where it's at. What the difference if he moves the boat every weekend another 100-200 miles closer? It's just a bunch of weekend/day sailing in a row to complete a journey. Only difference between that and doing it in your backyard is the neccessary studying of the "new yard" each trip. Which would you rather do, spend $3000 on transporting the boat or spend $3000 on airfairs and get a lot of weekend sailing done...learning the boat and how to sail? The only difference is he is going to try to get as far as he can in his 10 vacation first and he just might make it. Negative, non-logical people....I tell ya. No wonder this world has problems.
if he is able to sail straight through with 5 knots he can travel 1200 miles in 10 days. Would it be demanding, yes. Would he be lucky, yes. Is it possible, yes. If he doesn't make it, guess what...he just got his boat a lot closer with that "shake down cruise" completed and the next leg will be a much easier task. You people keep getting stuck on this idea that he has to do it in 10 days. Even he said that even though that's the goal, he could park it and come back. He said he already bought it, so that means he is paying for the slip where it's at. What the difference if he moves the boat every weekend another 100-200 miles closer? It's just a bunch of weekend/day sailing in a row to complete a journey. Only difference between that and doing it in your backyard is the neccessary studying of the "new yard" each trip. Which would you rather do, spend $3000 on transporting the boat or spend $3000 on airfairs and get a lot of weekend sailing done...learning the boat and how to sail? The only difference is he is going to try to get as far as he can in his 10 vacation first and he just might make it. Negative, non-logical people....I tell ya. No wonder this world has problems.
Negative People?
Give me a break. This guy has no experience and just started to learn how to sail. Granted, he certainly has the courage to go where others may back off, but common sense dictates here that prudence needs to be practiced and I believe its a risk for a novice in an older smaller vessel in prime time hurricane season to attempt a trip like this across the Gulf!!! You can figure all kinds of "how much wind on a given day needed over a given distance" all you want, the fact of the matter is you are encouraging an inexperienced sailor to attempt a feat that requires knowledge, experience, outstanding equipment and a seasoned crew, all of which I have witnessed none mentioned by the author. If I knew Craig, I would sit down over a beer and discuss every negative versus every positive, and so far on my list the negatives outweigh the positives. If however, as suggested earlier he was too try the ICW wherever possible, that is far more feasible to me regardless of how much time is needed. The bottom line is then, if you want the boat in Galveston by a certain time, make the time!! Bob
Give me a break. This guy has no experience and just started to learn how to sail. Granted, he certainly has the courage to go where others may back off, but common sense dictates here that prudence needs to be practiced and I believe its a risk for a novice in an older smaller vessel in prime time hurricane season to attempt a trip like this across the Gulf!!! You can figure all kinds of "how much wind on a given day needed over a given distance" all you want, the fact of the matter is you are encouraging an inexperienced sailor to attempt a feat that requires knowledge, experience, outstanding equipment and a seasoned crew, all of which I have witnessed none mentioned by the author. If I knew Craig, I would sit down over a beer and discuss every negative versus every positive, and so far on my list the negatives outweigh the positives. If however, as suggested earlier he was too try the ICW wherever possible, that is far more feasible to me regardless of how much time is needed. The bottom line is then, if you want the boat in Galveston by a certain time, make the time!! Bob
Crew
I should be trying to help so here is an idea. Try this link to help find a crew memeber or two(http://www.ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vtopic&forum=5). Also do a search for Crew Wanted from Google. You will find that there are a lot of people with time on there hands. Most want to be paid but I bet if you look hard enough you can find somebody willing to do it just for the experience and flight ticket. I know there is a guy in Austria who will crew for the plane ticket, but that's an expensive ticket. I strongly suggest you find somebody to go with, if anything, for the conversation, sleep break and watch helmsman. A 19 year-old out of highschool with nothing to do is better then nothing. The more expeirence sailor will cost dollars unless your lucky. Don't forget to ask around the docks. My dock has a few people who are willing to take trips but I'm not sure of their prices. They make their living off boat odds and ends so there is a price.
I should be trying to help so here is an idea. Try this link to help find a crew memeber or two(http://www.ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vtopic&forum=5). Also do a search for Crew Wanted from Google. You will find that there are a lot of people with time on there hands. Most want to be paid but I bet if you look hard enough you can find somebody willing to do it just for the experience and flight ticket. I know there is a guy in Austria who will crew for the plane ticket, but that's an expensive ticket. I strongly suggest you find somebody to go with, if anything, for the conversation, sleep break and watch helmsman. A 19 year-old out of highschool with nothing to do is better then nothing. The more expeirence sailor will cost dollars unless your lucky. Don't forget to ask around the docks. My dock has a few people who are willing to take trips but I'm not sure of their prices. They make their living off boat odds and ends so there is a price.
Craig, if you do this,
find some experienced crew to help you and take your time. Watch the weather. Stay close to civilization. Watch the weather. Communicate on a regular (twice a day) basis with someone who knows what you are doing and where you are going. Watch the weather. Check out your safety gear. Have a plan if the weather gets bad. Get a 406 EPIRB and register it. Did I say watch the weather?
find some experienced crew to help you and take your time. Watch the weather. Stay close to civilization. Watch the weather. Communicate on a regular (twice a day) basis with someone who knows what you are doing and where you are going. Watch the weather. Check out your safety gear. Have a plan if the weather gets bad. Get a 406 EPIRB and register it. Did I say watch the weather?
Your first leg
Attached is part of a pilot chart that shows the Big Bend Area of Florida. I have added an orange line along a large area of the coast where you would have to have a death-wish to attempt to duck into. There is NO ICW and there is NO safe haven in that area. There are many places where you could run aground and be far enough offshore to be completely out of the sight of land. After you leave St.Pete the first "practical" stop is Apalachicola, Florida. That is a little over 180 nautical miles. From Apalachicola you would have more options about going "inside" in the GICW or sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot chart shows that the odds are good for you to have beam winds for that trip in November. If I went with you, I could almost guarantee that they would be on the nose. Don't even THINK about doing this trip alone. Don't do it without having all of the appropriate charts on board. Don't do it without a GPS that you REALLY know how to use. In fact, I suspect that if you will order chart M11401S0 from your local West Marine you will talk yourself out of this trip. I am speaking from first-hand, personal experience. I have sailed this area more than once and I didn't like it. I have talked to many other sailers who did it and they didn't like it either. The Big Bend Area is not a pleasure cruise. If I were doing this trip, My first stop from St. Pete would be Panama City. That is about 230 nautical miles. That means almost three days and three nights without stopping. I am assuming a 4 knot average speed for your boat. The trip you want to do CAN BE DONE, but it won't be easy. The stakes are too high to count on luck to get you through. LOTS of preparation is in order. If your sailing instructor thinks it is such a good idea, get him to go with you. That is what I did. See the attached link and click on "Passage from Panama City to Punta Gorda.
Attached is part of a pilot chart that shows the Big Bend Area of Florida. I have added an orange line along a large area of the coast where you would have to have a death-wish to attempt to duck into. There is NO ICW and there is NO safe haven in that area. There are many places where you could run aground and be far enough offshore to be completely out of the sight of land. After you leave St.Pete the first "practical" stop is Apalachicola, Florida. That is a little over 180 nautical miles. From Apalachicola you would have more options about going "inside" in the GICW or sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot chart shows that the odds are good for you to have beam winds for that trip in November. If I went with you, I could almost guarantee that they would be on the nose.
Don't even THINK about doing this trip alone. Don't do it without having all of the appropriate charts on board. Don't do it without a GPS that you REALLY know how to use. In fact, I suspect that if you will order chart M11401S0 from your local West Marine you will talk yourself out of this trip. I am speaking from first-hand, personal experience. I have sailed this area more than once and I didn't like it. I have talked to many other sailers who did it and they didn't like it either. The Big Bend Area is not a pleasure cruise. If I were doing this trip, My first stop from St. Pete would be Panama City. That is about 230 nautical miles. That means almost three days and three nights without stopping. I am assuming a 4 knot average speed for your boat. The trip you want to do CAN BE DONE, but it won't be easy. The stakes are too high to count on luck to get you through. LOTS of preparation is in order. If your sailing instructor thinks it is such a good idea, get him to go with you. That is what I did. See the attached link and click on "Passage from Panama City to Punta Gorda.Congrats on your boat
Congratulations on your new boat. My husband did a similar transit--Ft Lauderdale to Kemah - across the Gulf a year ago in the spring (non-hurricane season). Much larger boat (45 ft) Four experienced crew--including an MD with well equipped medical bag. They all put their heads together and tried to think of all contigencies when provisioning/equipping the boat. The first day or so was a blast it seemed. Then things did fail, fatigue set in; winds were erratic, lots of motoring, almost ran out of fuel. They made it safely--but my guy slept for about 36 hours after he made it home. They did fine BUT it was an experience he is not going to repeat. If I were you, I'd ship it on a truck. Best of luck--and hope to see you on Galveston Bay.
Congratulations on your new boat. My husband did a similar transit--Ft Lauderdale to Kemah - across the Gulf a year ago in the spring (non-hurricane season). Much larger boat (45 ft) Four experienced crew--including an MD with well equipped medical bag. They all put their heads together and tried to think of all contigencies when provisioning/equipping the boat. The first day or so was a blast it seemed. Then things did fail, fatigue set in; winds were erratic, lots of motoring, almost ran out of fuel. They made it safely--but my guy slept for about 36 hours after he made it home. They did fine BUT it was an experience he is not going to repeat. If I were you, I'd ship it on a truck. Best of luck--and hope to see you on Galveston Bay.
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