GL: Florida Bend Crossing

[CaptJoe60@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/29/2007 12:25:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
esavela@charter.net writes:

Is there  VHF coverage for this passage?  Should I get marine SSB installed
before  the trip?  I will likely make the trip around June 1.  Is there
likely
to be any "buddy boats" to make the crossing around that time period?  Any
other advice?




You won't need a SSB.  Start by keeping your eye on the weather for  the
several days before you leave from Tampa,  You can head up to Tarpon  Springs,
stay at the municipal marina as jump off point and to locate a  buddy boat,
pick
your day, leave a float plan with both the CG at the  Anclote River &
Appalachacola, with a 7 knot boat it is about a 20 to  24 hour cruise, about
150
miles, approx heading 3120 heading. Pick a cast  off time so as to arrive in
the
daylight. Once in port, the trip to  Mobile can be made in the ICW.  I made
the
reverse trip twice,  each with a crew and a buddy boat.  Keep both guys at the
helm, each can  cat nap during the trip but both should always LOOKING for
floating objects with  radar.??   VHF and Cell coverage can be iffy in the
middle of the  trip.

Regards & Lots of luck

Ciao, Capt.  Joe



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