The Crossing - Tuesday November 11-12

Daisy watches the Sun Setting on the Gulf of Mexico
Does she know that no potty breaks for 23.5 hours?

Please Note: This Post is for information purposes only, (Do Not use to plan your crossing)

Background:
When doing the 'Great Loop'  there are many options as to which route to take.  The 'Bend" of the Florida Panhandle is one such decision point.  There are basically two options to make the 'Crossing'.
(See AGLCA image to the right of the webpage)

One:
Take the Bend route.  This route would be to follow the coastline around the bend.  This option would require a shallow draft (less than 4ft), considerations for time to destination during daylight hours, wind, and ability to see the crap pots, and tide considerations.  The 'bend' option is typically selected by those that can meet the requirements, and prefer not to be out of sight of the shoreline, and avoid a long, long trip with moderate risk involved.

Two:
Take the direct route, approximately 170 miles, and 21 hours at 7 knts, typically from Carabelle/Dog Island to Tarpon Springs (or another common route, Apalachicola to Dunedin).  This option seems to be the most preferred. Considerations are fuel capability, speed, communications, buddy boat, and the crews ability to help and handle the trip, among other considerations.

We (Blue Willow and Patroit) selected to do a direct crossing from Carabelle/Dog Island to Dunedin.
Weather windows are selected and are very important to do the crossing with minimal risk, and perhaps actually enjoy the trip.

Statistically, there are two major  weather windows in November to do a safe and moderately enjoyable crossing.  The weather window seemed to be in our favor for a tuesday November 11th crossing. We were in Apalachicola, and planned on a nice lunch and a walk through some shops, and then proceed to Carabelle, for fuel and vessel inspections. We received a 10 AM Weather Update from Eddy from the Weather WAG, that the crossing window was closing in for wednesday (second half of the crossing).

Okay time for a quick Captains Meeting.
We met for a couple of minutes, but it was evident that it was time to go.  We could top off the fuel in Apalachicola, do inspections and be at Buoy #2 by noon.  FYI Buoy #2 at Dog Island is the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico.  A noon departure from Buoy #2 is the proper time and location for a vessel doing the crossing to arrive at buoy #4 (just north/west of the Dunedin and back on the GICW) with proper light to see the crab pots when traveling 7.5 Knts.

We were in contact with Infinite Sea and Charese who departed from Carabelle, we actually met at Buoy #2 at the same time, and these boats were our 'Crossing Buddy Boats' (same speed, and a group stays together if any problems arise).

The Sun Setting during our Crossing

The Crossing
Weather: Fair, 74F, light winds, at the beginning.  The temps lowered in the early morning hours, guessing 70F, and the winds picked up a bit. We had both doors open to the salon the entire way.

When we started from Dog Island, we set the autopilot course bearing for 136 degrees,  the four boats made a plan to rotate  on the half hour, a radio 'Checkin'.  This was nice, in that, it would help keep the captain alert.  We naturally spaced ourselves out, typically two in front and two in back, and spacing varied from 200 yards to three miles apart.  This worked well.
We could hear radio chatter of boats ahead of us, and learned Spititus, Aunt Aggie, and others were ahead of us, five total in all ahead of us.  We also knew that a few 'go fast boats' were staging behind us for their crossing later, there were four in that group.

Vicki made special preparations for snack foods, and drinks.  She also made a high carb and protein dinner.  For our watch schedule, we made a plan for two on two off during daylight hours, and three on and three off for nighttime hours.

The first half of the crossing was purely uneventful. tiring and a bit boring,other than that,  nothing to note.  The later half conditions provided a bit more to process and required some minor changes to the "136 Heading".  We had following seas, and they were hitting on out port stern a bit, and the waves were building a bit 3-4 foot.  Just enough to be a PIA.  Every 4th for 5th wave caused a slight roll and pitch, and a few were a bit larger.  This started at 12 AM and lasted till 4 AM.  The seas settled down a bit near daybreak, but were still 3-4's.  Rolling diminished as well.  We did not go straight to the Marker1 Marina.  We made a stop at Caldesi Island for Daisy to do her business.  We anchored, dropped the dinghy, and motored to the island (blew a head gasket on the way... story later).  Daisy went further than I thought she would, but number one and two were done quickly.  Daisy and I ran along the island in the sand a bit, and found a posted sign:  No Camping, Alcohol, or Pets.  Too late!!!

We saw the Sun Set, Moon Rise, and the Sun Rise.  The sky was good, but I was hoping for a brighter   sky and more stars.  I saw dolphins breach right in front of us a couple of times.  I sat outside at the bow for a few hours, just soaking in the elements. I sat at both the upper and lower helm at various times. It truly was a decent crossing al in all.

Sunrise near Marker #4
Do you see any Crab Pots?

Crab Pots
For those that do not know about the dreaded Crab Pots, they are a major PIA for those that travel the coastal waters where crabs are present.  The 'Pot' is a perhaps, 8" diameter 'Bobber' that indicates the location of a crab trap, which is tethered via a line which looks to be about 1" in diameter.  The pot is colored in some fashion,including , BLACK!!  WTF.  Crab traps are about 24 " square, and about 18" tall (they are regulated in there size).  The location of the pots can be anywhere except in defined navigational routes, but they can line the route, and they can accidentally drift into the route too.  Crab pots typically start at 30 ft depths, but may be placed in 50 ft as well.  There are 1,000's (if not 10,000's) of them in some locations.  Entering the Tarpon Springs area we had many to dodge.  With the sun rising at near the same angle (136), the lighting conditions were marginal at best due to the reflection.  Recognizing a crab pot took some attention by all on board.  With Vicki at the bow pulpit, and me at the upper helm we managed to avoid any problems.  Two boats in our total group hit the pots.  They required towing in to a local marina, but no damage that we now of.  (Other boats have been known to have prop, shaft, and or holes in their boats from grabbing a crab pot with their running gear).  When looking for the crab pots, one must scan from the bow out about 100 ft, and to the sides about 20-30 feet each way.  Once spotted, Vicki would point at it until it passed safely, she needed three arms sometimes.  If we missed one dead on, we would typically see it 40 ft or so, and swerve very hard to avoid the damn pot.

Marker 1 Marina
We arrived at the marina safe and sound.  It was fun to rehash the crossing event with others.  We then proceeded to take a long nap, and try to refresh ourselves.  I am very thankful for an uneventful crossing.  As I started dreaming then planning  this trip, the crossing was always an issue for me.  How would it play out? Now I know.

Thanks for peeping in on our blog!