Texas to NC Gulf Crossing

[hammerhuman]

I am preparing to move my newly acquired boat (CT-34 5' draft, 10' beam, 17,000 disp. full keel cutter) from Kemah, TX to Wilmington, NC in March. A friend and capable sailor will be joining me from Kemah to Miami and I plan on single-handing up the East coast. The boat is new to me and I am still going through it. over the next four weeks ill be sailing and trying all the systems getting prepared for the trip. i'm looking for advice about weather, navigation and route. It looks like sailors either head South then East, follow the coast then South to Fla, or through the ICW to New Orleans then out. I would prefer to do a more direct crossing if possible but am concerned about oil rigs (unlighted, unmarked, derelict) at night - things that go bump in the night. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[YachtBroker]

I would recommend ICW route thru NOLA till after March. You cannot beat a norther across the gulf this time of the year and the gulf is just a mess for days. After the norther's slow down (less than one every 3 weeks) then it's not so bad.

[FSMike]

If you have a mast with less than 49' airdraft you also have the option of going through lake Okeechobee.