GL: Great Loop Travel Times

[Jim Healy]

Since you're looking for "averages," here's our data (and some unsolicited
commentary):
 
We are a slow trawler - average 8.2 St mph (7.3 kts) speed over ground.  At
that speed, there are 15 travel days, one travel day is an overnight run
from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs.  You will need to plan some built-in
longer stops in your itinerary.  More on that in a minute.
 
Columbus to Mobile - 5 travel days (depart Columbus, stop at Tombigbee River
anchorage, Demopolis Yacht Basin, Bashi Creek anchorage, Three Rivers
anchorage, arrive Dog River marina)  Limited places to overnight in this
stretch.  Refer to Skipper Bob's books for locations.  Some long days.  In
the late fall, you have fewer hours of daylight available for travel.  
Mobile to Carrabelle - 5 travel days (depart Mobile, stop at Pensacola Yacht
Club, Ft. Walton Yacht Club, Panama City Marina, Water Street Hotel Marina
at Apalachicola, C-Quarters Marina) 
Carrabelle to Ft. Myers - 5 travel days (depart Carrabelle, stop at Tarpon
Springs City Marina, Bradenton Yacht Club, Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant
(free overnight if you eat there) on Longboat Key, Pelican Bay anchorage,
Ft. Myers)
 
There are three places in this region where you may (probably will) want to
stop for longer than 1 day:
 
1.  Mobile: there's a lot to see and do; rent a car and visit New Orleans;
also a great place to change oil, filters, etc., for the boat.  AND, If the
wx blows up, Mobile Bay can be a really lousy ride!
2.  Carrabelle: MUST wait for wx window to cross the gulf (or add a couple
of travel days to go "the long way" around the Great Bend; i.e., from
Carrabelle to maybe St, Marks, Steinhatchee, Cedar Key).  Again, refer to
Skipper Bob for ideas.  The crossing from Carrabelle to TS City Marina is
171.1 miles.  We ran it overnight.  We left Carrabelle at 14h00 and arrived
TS City Marina the following day at noon.  If going the long way 'round, you
will still need multiple wx windows, as those crossings are each very
exposed.  Further, if the wind blows from the northwest through northeast,
it can blow water out of shallow entry channels in the Great Bend towns, and
you may have to wait to get out again.  
3.  Tarpon Springs: nice town.  Lots to see and do.  May need a day or so to
recover from long cross-gulf run, especially if it was rougher than planned.
 
DO NOT GO OUT ON THE GULF (or any big water) UNLESS YOU KNOW YOUR FUEL TANKS
ARE CLEAN.  VIGOROUS AGITATION OF TANKS WITH ALGAE OR CRUD IN THEM WILL STIR
UP THE CRUD AND CAUSE FUEL FILTERS TO CLOG UP.  MID-GULF IS NO PLACE TO HAVE
TO CHANGE FILTERS AND PRIME INJECTION LINES.
 
You may want to wait until you get to Tarpon Springs to confirm your plane
reservations.  That way, you're past all of the offshore and exposed runs.
>From Tarpon to Ft. Myers, you'll be running in mostly ICW conditions,
(except Tampa Bay) and you'll be OK to travel on inland waters even when you
could not travel offshore.  
 
Be very mindful of "RULE 1," the PRIME DIRECTIVE, here: "WHEN TRAVELING BY
BOAT, THOU SHALT HAVE NO SCHEDULE!"  (For surely, that damn schedule will
make you do things you know you should not do and take chances you know you
should not take!)  Been there!  Done that!  Have had black and blue marks
and disheveled salon to prove it!
 
Good luck!!!
 
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
AGLCA # 3767
MTOA # 3436