Tampa to Houston

[Kewlbreez]

I just bought a boat in Tampa Fl and will be bringing it to Houston the first or second week of June. I have made several GOM crossings but all were offshore a minimum of 100 miles in sailboats. Now I have converted to the power world and bought a 50 Hatteras Yacht Fisherman.

There seems to be two approaches to the trip from Ancolet Key to western Fl:

1> Cross from Tarpon Springs area (Ancolet Key) to Apalachicola and then head into the ICW - 150 mile trip.

2> Cross from Tarpon Springs and go direct to Pensacola (roughly a 300 mile trip). I carry 600 gallons of fuel and expect to burn around 10 gallons an hour (DD8V71 - normally aspirated x 2). Or direct to Port St. Joe or Panama City - roughly a 200 mile trip give or take.

This boat has been under complete refit for the past few years - all new systems: DDs majored, new genset, new wiring, new plumbing, new paint, new interior, new electronics...in essence a new boat. However, it is also new to me. So is it a good idea to push the limits by taking the longer offshore trip to Pensacola or better to step it a bit by going to Apalachicola.

My thinking is to go direct to Pensacola with Apalachicola as a fall back in case we have trouble.

I am looking for advice from those who have made this trip.

Next question

Headed west from Pensacola there are some great places to stop and see....we can stay inside all the way to Gulfport but then we have to make a decision. Go thru the ICW into and thru NOLA or go down thru Chandeleur Sound to one of the east entrances to the Mississippi River to Venice.

I have never been in this part of the Gulf and have no idea what the Chandeleur Sound is like (too shallow?? Shoals??? ). Would love to stop and fish the Chandeleurs for a day or so but just don't know the area.

Can anyone give me some advice about this area?

Next question:

From Venice we go out the west pass headed to the Galveston Roads. Again roughly a 350 mile trip direct. Or I could go in at Sabine Pass, Lake Charles or Freshwater Bayou or Port Fourchon or Grand Isle. I am fully aware of the platforms and bouys and traffic in the LA offshore area. Been thru it several times and know it is a tough place sometimes. We would watch the weather window and since it will be early June there is a good chance the weather will be good.

Does anyone have any experience with this route

Or I could just take the ICW thru NOLA and Houma and Morgan City and fight the barge traffic.

I am seeking wisdom and advice. the boat is fully capable and belonged to the owner of a shipyard where he did all the rework. Everything is done first class and they have put 200 plus hours on the boat in sea trials. She should be just fine whatever route I take. we are in no big hurry to get home - just don't know this part of the gulf and need some wise advice.

Thanks
Dennis