Key West > Dry Tortugas with SE wind

[zboss]

All,

I've read several remarks about making passages to the Dry Tortugas with an opposing wind/current warning.

The currents in New Ground run about .25 knots NE/SW and Issac Shoal N/S at about a knot. The southeast channel into the DT runs N/S at less than 1 knot.

We have an opportunity to leave this Saturday on a SE wind @ 15 knots and I am thinking this is a great opportunity for a fast broad reach. Wondering if anyone has had a bad experience on this particular wind direction and if I should be waiting for a steady east wind instead.

thanks!

[pete33458]

Haven't sailed all the way to the Tortugas but I've sailed that area quite a bit and I believe you will find the conditions to be perfect. Current in that region is very light to the point of being irrelevant, and there's nothing better than a broad reach. Envious is what I am.

Pete

[FSMike]

I wouldn't hesitate to go to the Dry Tortugas in those conditions, sounds like fun. The only problem I've ever had there is finding a window to return lol.

[kmacdonald]

I sailed to the Dry Tortugas from KW in a home made 15' catboat. Once in December and once in February. Very little current. I over nighted at Maquesas Key and left from there. There is Fort Jefferson there but not much else. Bring everything you need with you. There is only a gift shop in the fort. You can buy lunch on the fast cat ferry when it gets there. $5 for all you can eat, make your own cold cuts and soda. Coming back is usually upwind.