Tampa tomorrow

[sailaway78]

Were off. Seadances hubby, Peter, and myself are hopping a plane tomorrow and heading to Tampa. Plan is to check out all systems, sea trial, provision and etc. Sat. and head out for Biloxi as early as possible, hopefully by Sunday morning. Going to sort of follow the coast line around and hopefully not get into much of the gulf currents. Weather forecast is still a way out but looking pretty decent, although current forecast is for pretty light winds. With any decent breezes, we should make Biloxi in no more than 4 days. Three if we get some favorable winds. Will leave all the boat details up to Seadance, as I know she is busting at the seams to finalize this deal and tell everyone on here about it. Don't want to steal her fun. I will hopefully be able to find a wifi connection before we shove off, and give some more info. and details.

 

[Brian D]

Whoot...

Keep it safe and no excessive drinking while sailing. Good luck, be safe, and I just can't wait to hear about the boat.

 

[gpd955]

We'll keep you guys

in mind as we throw a few back this w/e in AC.Good luck and fair winds!!Jack Mannings/v Victim of FateAtlantic City, NJ

 

[sailormanbigd]

just do it

sorry missed the details leading to the great adventure! Don't know the vessel, but me thinks that you could make the trip in a 14ft dingy class. Don't know the draft your dealing with but be mindful of the shallows starting around Tarpon springs and north. Especially north of new port richey (where I am from. I have been sailing here for 20 years and am not aware of any real gulf currents. Just the tidal flow.  Thanks for sharing your tail. Have a blast. Do you know how many nm you are doing-roughly? 4 days seams alittle conservative to me. Guess they will be 24 hour days? anyway, will be watching, be safe!

 

[sailaway78]

sailorman

aware of the shallow water, basically I think our rhumb line will be towards Pt.St. Joe, then pretty much due west from there. This will keep us out of the shallow water. Total distance is approx. 400 miles, but we are going to stay outside, weather permitting, and just run 24 hrs. straight through. Current forecast is for 5 to 10 knots SE Sunday and Sunday night, with east at 15 Monday. But forecasts more than 24 hrs. ahead are pretty unreliable. This time of year not planning on any good winds, so just being conservative and figuring roughly 100 miles a day. There are some loop currents out there if you get a little farther offshore. Last year about this time we went across from Dunedin to Houston. Had 12 hours or more could only make 1 1/2 to 2 knots, from current on the nose. I think this boat should be a pretty decent lite air boat, but I have promised to let Seadance fill in the details when she is ready. Can't take that away from her. Thanks for the well wishes guys & gals. I have made this run a couple of times before, and it has always been an easy and fun trip, except for when that cold front came through last winter. When you hoist one of those cold ones over the weekend, raise one in a toast for us.