GL: New Loopers

[ALloyd217@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/15/2007 9:12:19 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Jake2124@aol.com writes:
One of our guide books (The Great Circle Cruise by G. Bickley)
suggests using the rim route to have calmer waters, but don't stop along the
way.
That seems appealing to us, but are we missing something? We have sufficient
fuel range and crew. Basically, the suggested route is buoy to buoy. From
Carrabelle channel buoy number R12 to R2 to R24 to R22, R20, R18, R16, R14
etc. Any
experience or comments going this way.
            I don't see the point of following the rim route unless you
intend to stop along the way.  It just adds time to the crossing.   Besides
many of
the markers R18, R16 etc do not exist.   For calmer waters, talk to the staff
at The Moorings Marina in Carrabelle.   They are experts at selecting an
appropriate weather window.

Most cruisers leap across the Gulf of Mexico in a single bound.  It is 170
statute miles from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs.  At trawler speed it
calculates
out to an overnight trip.   Schedule the departure so as to arrive at dawn
and you will be able to see any fish traps as you approach the far shore and
also give yourself maximum margin of daylight in case of a delay.
Boats that do not have sufficient range or do not wish an overnight trip have
to make an intermediate stop at Steinhatchee.   It is 86 statute miles from
Carrabelle to Steinhatchee then 120 miles to Tarpon Springs.  The controlling
depth of the Steinhatchee River is 5 = feet but prolonged northeast winds
typically occurring in the winter can reduce the depth considerably.
One would think that the Suwannee River, located midway between Carrabelle
and Tarpon Springs, would be an ideal stopover.    Of the two approach
channels,
one is impassable and the other passable by cruising size yachts only at high
tide.
The Withlacoochee River,  may not be suitable for an overnight stop since the
river mouth is 20 miles from the rhumb line joining Steinhatchee and Tarpon
Springs
Just south of the Withlacoochee is the Crystal River.  A lot of cruisers are
attracted to Crystal River.
Alan Lloyd
Great Circle Navigation Notes
www.NavigationNotes.com
Visit web site for more information.