Sail from hudson to tampa bay (macdill AFB)

[Chompnoles]

I'm sailing from Hudson Florida to McDill AFB and would like any information on a safe and comfortable passage?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Chompnoles

I'm sailing from Hudson Florida to McDill AFB and would like any information on a safe and comfortable passage?

You gonna go outside or inside (ICW?) Either way, your hardest thing is likely to be getting out of Hudson!

It's a simple run down to the mouth of Tampa Bay and then up to MacDill.

Any number of places to stop along the way if you need to. The ICW takes some wicked turns, and in places it will be too narrow to sail unless the wind is perfect, but since the wind is almost always some point of east or west recently you should be able to sail.

We haven't gotten as much stormy weather as you have up your way, but best plan is to leave early in the day and end your sail by mid-afternoon (3PM or sooner). The ICW is shallow in some places, and Tampa Bay can really get riled up in a storm.

[Therapy]

What kind of boat?

It is basically a day sail. Out, south, east. Time departure to meet incoming tide to bay and and gain 2+ knots.

[Chompnoles]

A hunter 27 going to break it up in a couple of days, me my dad and my son!

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Chompnoles

A hunter 27 going to break it up in a couple of days, me my dad and my son!

Well then ...

Time your departure on the last day to catch that tide if you can.

[Therapy]

I just took a peek at Active Captain.

OOPS.

It is about 72 miles. More than a day sail.

About half way is Johns Pass. There are places inside to anchor for the night. Saving all that time going in and out though, you can pull up in near the spoil area just south of the pass, go close to the beach and spend the night there. Just make sure you have more than just the masthead anchor light on. Several "garden lights" around the deck would be easy and cheap.

Timing the tide into Tampa Bay will save you a lot of headache time.