Annapolis to Tampa

[Hotel L]

Considering a coast cruise from Annapolis to Tampa in late September. Am I crazy?

[Pblais]

You might be but it's not a bad time to start if you take it slow and hedge your bets. The weather from VA to SC will be pretty nice so long as the storms don't get. You can usually have 3 to 5 days warning but you need to act early and perhaps hedge earlier than required. You just need room to run away. Nothing beats "not being there' for hurricane preparations.

[CampWhippet]

Originally Posted by Hotel L

Considering a coast cruise from Annapolis to Tampa in late September. Am I crazy?

September isn't bad down here in FL but it depends what you are on as far as storms go and your need to avoid them.

As for Tampa as a final destination...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[witzgall]

We left NC mid November for Points south and the Bahamas. Many people do the same, even later. Having cabin heat is a big plus, along with plenty of warm cloths. The weather can range from toasty to downright frigid.

Chris

[djmarchand]

No you are not crazy. Just be realistic about what you can do if a hurricane is forecast in your area- haul it out, find a hurricane hole, etc. And whatever you do get off of the boat.

Most marinas will not accept transients if a hurricane is forecast and many yards will fill up with local customers. And make sure that you are near civilization when one strikes. I wouldn't want to be caught out in the wilds of Georgia with a hurricane bearing down on me.

David

[sv Winterlude]

We left Annapolis September 8, 2001, sailed through Norfolk Sept 10 and left the Alligator River Marina Sept 11. A bit disconcerting sailing with fighter jets soaring overhead.

From there we went to New Bern, NC, left the boat until mid-October, returned for another 10 day cruise partially offshore to Canaveral. Left the boat and returned mid-November to sail around the Keys and up to Charlotte Harbor/Punta Gorda -- came in Boca Grande Pass.

A bit south of where you want to end up, but we did a similar trip starting about the same time of year. We were lucky with no tropical storms, but there are lots of places to hole up and prep for a hurricane if necessary.

Enjoy!

[Hotel L]

All
Appreciate the advice.

Tampa is do to work. We are liveaboards and its hotel or bring the boat.

I am interested in more info about yards not hauling transients during storms. Wasnt sure that was policy but more of a result of demand....first come first serve if you will.

We do have diesel heat.

Have been told that September and October is the worst month for storms in Florida. Anyone have thoughts?

[The Blue Heron]

Greetings.
Regarding Florida and storms, I assume you mean hurricanes in Sep and Oct. Those months are no better or worse.

Afternoon thunderstorms otherwise.

[Dulcesuenos]

Just did the trip from St augustine to just North of Tampa. Great trip! We stayed inside to port Canaveral then headed south to key largo One of the locks was down so we went down to Islamorada and cut across snake creek to the route 5 channel. Fun trip!

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Hotel L

All
Appreciate the advice.

Tampa is do to work. We are liveaboards and its hotel or bring the boat.

I am interested in more info about yards not hauling transients during storms. Wasnt sure that was policy but more of a result of demand....first come first serve if you will.

We do have diesel heat.

Have been told that September and October is the worst month for storms in Florida. Anyone have thoughts?

Policy varies from marina to marina. The problem is locals know what the policy is and act accordingly. Indian Town Marina has an insurance policy you can buy that assures you a spot on the hard for hurricane season, think it costs $US200.

I have lived in Florida since 1954 and can assure you predicting the worst month for hurricanes is a fools errand. It does not matter how many hurricanes there are if none are close to you. If you are where a hurricane hits it does not matter if that is the only hurricane of the season.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by tomfl

It does not matter how many hurricanes there are if none are close to you. If you are where a hurricane hits it does not matter if that is the only hurricane of the season.

Well put.