Sailing the Gulf

[toosail]

Hey all, getting ready to shove off from kemah, Texas heading across the gulf to Miami stopping around NO, Tampa, and the keys. Anyone else out there heading the same direction? If so hit me up.

[captainKJ]

lots of traffic out there in the GOM right now,,, watch the oil wells

[capn_billl]

Have a good trip, I'm in Kemah now. Need crew??

[toosail]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

lots of traffic out there in the GOM right now,,, watch the oil wells

That's what ive heard, any advice on which route would be less risky, close to shore or out a ways?

[toosail]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

Have a good trip, I'm in Kemah now. Need crew??

Sorry man, got a full boat at the momemt.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

l watch the oil wells

Why.... what are they doing... is it worth the detour...???

[captainKJ]

Originally Posted by toosail

That's what ive heard, any advice on which route would be less risky, close to shore or out a ways?

there are LOTS of oil rigs used and unused in the GOM,,, STAY FAR AWAY from them,,, well-head pipes close to them just under the water,,, I work in the GOM,,, if you travel at night a radar is a MUST,,,,, watch out for the fisherman,,,shrimpers and such,,, they do drink lots of beer while they work,,,,basically give them the right of way,,,,,,,,, they think it is there water,,,

not sure on what route you should take,,, there are shallow and deep water rigs all over,,,

good luck

keep a sharp eye out and be safe

[Sailmonkey]

I would motor the ICW over to MRGO at the least and head south from there. What you're proposing from galveston to to NO to tampa......ie costal hopping is a really bad idea in the GOM without radar.....good radar. Even with good radar it's still nerve wracking.

[zeehag]

from kemah, go icw to nola then through rigolets and down lake bourne and mississsippi sound...through mobile bay to icw and lulus... then to wolf bay or ingrahams bayou in alabama, and to pensacola and out into gulf to fla--- or out in gulf way around the mouth of mississippi and out to fla... either way is good--is up to you-- the icw from kemah to nola goes south of ponchartrain and has some wetlands to sail thru... i didnt do that route--i want to--- but i have to get back there first.....

[Cowboy Sailer]

Last month we sailed from one of the Mississippi River outlets, Baptiste Collette Bayou, across the Gulf to Tampa, FL. The density of oil field structures is astounding. The first night there were always several lighted platforms in front of us. The later nights we were able to see the glow on the horizon of lighted ships that were stationary for several hours. We put out a sea anchor the second night and both of us went to sleep because the previous 36 hours had been so full time attenion requiring!

We were escorted out of a restricted area south of Houma LA by a sinister looking boat with Loop Security painted on his side. Naturely he took us straight downwind the whole way that we had spent all morning tacking upwind to make!

With one night of rest we spent 4 days crossing the 350 nm passage. We had three cold fronts pass over us in the open Gulf. The last one was strong and I got really cold and soaked to the skin. Our crew couldn't make it so there was just my wife and I.

We are now at a great upscale marina off Tampa Bay in the Manatee River called Regetta Pointe Marina.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Sailer

Last month we sailed from one of the Mississippi River outlets, Baptiste Collette Bayou, across the Gulf to Tampa, FL. The density of oil field structures is astounding. The first night there were always several lighted platforms in front of us. The later nights we were able to see the glow on the horizon of lighted ships that were stationary for several hours. We put out a sea anchor the second night and both of us went to sleep because the previous 36 hours had been so full time attenion requiring!

We were escorted out of a restricted area south of Houma LA by a sinister looking boat with Loop Security painted on his side. Naturely he took us straight downwind the whole way that we had spent all morning tacking upwind to make!

With one night of rest we spent 4 days crossing the 350 nm passage. We had three cold fronts pass over us in the open Gulf. The last one was strong and I got really cold and soaked to the skin. Our crew couldn't make it so there was just my wife and I.

We are now at a great upscale marina off Tampa Bay in the Manatee River called Regetta Pointe Marina.

manateee river is a good one for anchoring also--in the mouth is a good holding ground--other boats hang out there and transients come and go. fishing is decent and was good for us for riding out the storms we kept finding... regatta pointe gets my backing also--i liked that marina--folks are friendly and is a nice place to say. good folks help with provisioning needs also.. pumpouts in every slip..

[Mundinho]

Originally Posted by toosail

Hey all, getting ready to shove off from kemah, Texas heading across the gulf to Miami stopping around NO, Tampa, and the keys. Anyone else out there heading the same direction? If so hit me up.

We will be sailing Seabrook to Key West in September / October this year. Our plan is to go direct line between the two. I do not see the clear benefits of going a different route like ICW or more South and then turn East. Naturally the ICW is easy going, but you will need many hours of motoring. Going South and turn East to evade the many oil production and exploration installations puts many more miles on the log against prevailing winds. If you go a direct line Galveston - Key West, it places you after one day in deeper water, which have the bigger platforms and flaoters. These are all typcially clearly identified by night. It is the shallow water portion of the Gulf that present the problems with oil field installations that are not clearly marked by night.

We have a radar and are with two on board, so that will get use through the busy areas. If you are solo and no radar, indeed it might be very challenging, as you have aorund 200 miles in areas covered with installtion which I know are not allwasy clearly lit by night. I would not do it without radar. Your option is then ICW or stright South and turn East once you have passed the large majority of installations.

Peter

[Sailmonkey]

True, getting off of the shelf makes life easy. We're going late april/early may more likely than not to isla mujeres. We'll probally be doing the ICW to new orleans then straight shot south to have the best ride with the wind, but also to see the ICW.

[Mimsy]

We are doing this in the fall and are considering taking the ditch to Mobile Bay or there abouts. Since this will be the first time the kids are out for more than a few days at a time, we feel that sucking it up and motoring will make for an easier time for them before hitting the Gulf. Its not an easy decision either way...

[genetic_sailor]

We are looking to sail from Miami to Key West (Benetaue 473 with 6' draft), is there a good anchorage places on our way between Miami and KW. What about best public anchorage in KW and dingy dock and where would be a good place for snorkeling in the KW area.

Thanks in advanced Jack.

P.S. Hopefully I posted my message in a proper place, if not I apologize (it is my first posting)