Quote:
Originally Posted by truckman
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I've sailed the coast numerous times between FL and Ches Bay, but never south in the spring. You'll just be going against the flow of the usual migration - northbound in the spring. You can plan on a non-stop and pick a
weather window, but have lots of bail-out locations in between if the
weather doesn't work out for a non-stop. Straight line shot to Frying Pan Shoals at Cape Fear, turn to starboard a bit and stay out of the
Gulf Stream.
Get paper
charts of the entire coast and
research all the inlets to see which are viable for bailout. Even if you're too tall for the
ICW you can duck in many of them to take refuge if you need to. Even though you won't be in the ditch, a Waterway Guide is a good reference to have.
If you have an
SSB get a subscription to Chris Parker at
Marine Weather Center - Bahamas & Caribbean Marine Weather Services .
Cheap at many times the cost.
If you don't have an
SSB, get an inexpensive receive only unit (Chris suggests some on his site) and listen to Chris - even cheaper. You just won't be able to ask specific questions. But you'll be able to go to
school on all the north bound boats getting advice.
Or get your own weather info from online sources before you leave and augment it by
VHF weather in
route if you stay close enough to the coast to receive it. This is pretty far out.
2 Hulls Dave