Stuart Florida North to Chesapeake Bay in April

[TBW]

I will move my 50 foot trawler north from Pensacola Florida to Easton Maryland this April. About 5 days to Stuart Florida from Pensacola and then would like a straight shot north to the Chesapeake. Brought the boat down in November and caught a very nice north wind for three days for the Beaufort NC to Stuart run. Found the preceding 3 days in the Virginia, North Carolina "ICW" not too great from either a "water" or "way" point of view. Would like to avoid this segment and stay offshore around Cape Hatteras for the return trip. I am trying to study weather forecasting with some joy. Windty is good. I am looking for comments from anyone who has made this trip at this time of year.
TIA
Tom
Mai Pehn Rai

[TheOffice]

I did the trip in late March under sail. If you avoid winds with any northerly component you should be fine. Duck in at Morehead if there is adverse wind. You must carry a lot of fuel!

[TBW]

Thank you for the feedback. Good information.
Carry 1250 fuel, burn around 4 or a little less. Good for about 2 to 2500 depending. Believe it or not, over 3k if I slow down to 5kts. Like to stop in Stuart; top up fuel and water. All a function of weather.

[irwin39]

Just picked up on this post and very interested.
Current plan is to leave Sarasota Bay 3/30 and sail down the west coast and up the east coast to Deltaville Virginia. delivery on a 49 ft. hunter with 150 gal fuel tank. Mast height is 65+? and don't know about channel 5 bridge in the keys so thinking around key west is safer.

hoping to make Charleston SC as a refuel point.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[TheOffice]

Personally, I would refuel in Miami or Lauderdale or even Jacksonville and ride the GS north unless you want to spend time in Charleston. It will take you out of the GS and add miles to your trip.

[irwin39]

Thanks The Office, sounds like a good idea. We plan to ride the Gulf Stream and Charleston does take us off route.
Any ideas on the Channel 5 bridge?

[TheOffice]

only what i read on the chart - 65 feet.

[Suijin]

At least you're going north. But you're going north around the equinox and weather can be a bit unsettled there. If you have a really solid forecast with SW winds, ride the stream up. Otherwise, go offshore and cross back across the stream well north of the Cape. Whatever you do, don't cut inside the stream unless you're absolutely positively certain the weather is right for it. I've done it, but always feel the hair on the back of my neck standing a bit higher.

Or just go inside from Morehead/Beaufort north. It's a pretty quick trip from there although not exactly exciting.

What I usually do if the Bay is my destination is take stock of the weather when approaching Cape Lookout and make a decision at that point. If it's not favorable I just cut inside and keep going. Faster 90% of the time than holing up in Beaufort and waiting for a good window.

[TheOffice]

His air draft over 65 feet limits him.