I'm currently planning to sail from Tampa to Mobile Bay in two weeks. I'm looking for any advice from anyone who knows these waters and weather patterns this time of year. The principle question I have is picking the best weather window. I've been tracking the weather for the past couple of weeks and there still are cold fronts coming through creating strong northwest winds and big seas every 3-5 days. Call me a wimp, but this is NOT the weather I want! At what point during the year do the cold fronts weaken? Can anyone with local knowledge suggest the best time to do this? Instead of mid-April, would we do better in May or June (post cold front season, pre tropical disturbance season)? Any other advice or recommendations are very welcome. Mark s/v Orion
- Status
Strongly Suggest...
...getting a Coast Pilot. No. 5 is the one that covers the area. It will give you climatalogical history. BTW, this time of year the weather cycle is 5 days +/- 36 hours. You can expect a front through the area that often until June, but then that's the beginning of Hurricane season?
Weak fronts? Hmmmm, warm is weaker than cold, but that's about the only rule. If you get a choice of what kind of rain to sail in, pick the warm front.
...getting a Coast Pilot. No. 5 is the one that covers the area. It will give you climatalogical history. BTW, this time of year the weather cycle is 5 days +/- 36 hours. You can expect a front through the area that often until June, but then that's the beginning of Hurricane season?
Weak fronts? Hmmmm, warm is weaker than cold, but that's about the only rule. If you get a choice of what kind of rain to sail in, pick the warm front.April Showers...
...come from cold fronts down there. May usually has nicer weather, while still having decent winds.
...come from cold fronts down there. May usually has nicer weather, while still having decent winds.
Stay inside
You can also consider taking the ICW route. It's longer but you'll have the chance to hole up if the weather gets bad. Jim "Prospect"
You can also consider taking the ICW route. It's longer but you'll have the chance to hole up if the weather gets bad. Jim "Prospect"
I agree
Mark, I agree I would either stay inside or even stay within 50 miles of the shoreline. You may experience little air out much further. I'm from the MS Gulf Coast area; had some friends sat 3 days with no wind coming from the keys straight across.
Mark, I agree I would either stay inside or even stay within 50 miles of the shoreline. You may experience little air out much further. I'm from the MS Gulf Coast area; had some friends sat 3 days with no wind coming from the keys straight across.
Get up early
I find when crusing the Gulf Coast during june to get an early start in the morning. You may have to motor untill the wind picks up. Avoid later afternoon sailing to avoid the frequent coastal thunder storms that build up quickly in late afternoon.
I find when crusing the Gulf Coast during june to get an early start in the morning. You may have to motor untill the wind picks up. Avoid later afternoon sailing to avoid the frequent coastal thunder storms that build up quickly in late afternoon.
Check out these sites before your depart
go to these sites on the www intellicast.com/sail/world.unitedstates/ play around with this site and you can calculate your wind and weather systems. Several years ago I attempted to sail from Tampa to Corpus Christi, TX. Had to motor most of the way and almost ran out of diesel. You will be in a real dead spot for wind. I would suggest departing 24 hours before the front hits and sliding into Mobile Bay on the nice following winds of the front.
go to these sites on the www intellicast.com/sail/world.unitedstates/ play around with this site and you can calculate your wind and weather systems. Several years ago I attempted to sail from Tampa to Corpus Christi, TX. Had to motor most of the way and almost ran out of diesel. You will be in a real dead spot for wind. I would suggest departing 24 hours before the front hits and sliding into Mobile Bay on the nice following winds of the front.
Take a Look at the Big Picture
This is a site that I would depend on! http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/slp-00.gif This map will show you the surfacewinds of the Atlantic,Carribean and the Gulf
This is a site that I would depend on! http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/slp-00.gif This map will show you the surfacewinds of the Atlantic,Carribean and the Gulf
Another Weather site
I use this one before I go out. It is fun to check out the other stations and bouys all around the world when I am just day dreaming too.
I use this one before I go out. It is fun to check out the other stations and bouys all around the world when I am just day dreaming too.
Take the Big Bend
I cruised from the Clearwater area to Apalachicola a couple of years ago in late November or early December. I was in a Catalina 22 at the time, so offshore was not an option. I took the Big Bend Bouy route that kept me 5 to 15 miles offshore, and it sure paid off. The trip didn't last long, but i had to duck into safe haven a couple of times due to storms. Just remember, those storms in the Gulf can come up quickly, and they can build since your last wx report. One caught me going into St. George sound at 4 AM, and tossed my small boat quite a bit. Once into the sound, I anchored and rode it out. There is no ICW until you get to Apalachicola. From there, you could take the GICW to TX. Fair Winds... Bill Byrd S/V Eagle's Nest
I cruised from the Clearwater area to Apalachicola a couple of years ago in late November or early December. I was in a Catalina 22 at the time, so offshore was not an option. I took the Big Bend Bouy route that kept me 5 to 15 miles offshore, and it sure paid off. The trip didn't last long, but i had to duck into safe haven a couple of times due to storms. Just remember, those storms in the Gulf can come up quickly, and they can build since your last wx report. One caught me going into St. George sound at 4 AM, and tossed my small boat quite a bit. Once into the sound, I anchored and rode it out. There is no ICW until you get to Apalachicola. From there, you could take the GICW to TX. Fair Winds... Bill Byrd S/V Eagle's Nest
- Status