Mississippi Sound to Marathon

[SebastianB]

So it is still a ways off but eventually will be going down to Marathon to get out of these Mississippi winters!

How long do you usually figure for a semi comfortable trip with few weather delays? Although this isnt going to be a delivery speed trip, I will have limited time so its not gonna be a sight seeing cruise either. Hopefully making some large hops but not ready for a straight across the gulf trip just yet. Just some ball park figures would be helpful for me scheduling vacations to accomadate this trip.

Any insights?

[Stumble]

Depends on how much you want to push it. I would probably do Panama City, St Petersburg, Marathon. Each hop is about two day or so depending on weather and the boat.

It's probably four days strait across. So it really depends on what you are thinking of doing.

[Mainstreet]

Sebastian, did you make that trip to Marathon? I'm planning to do the same run in about two months. I'd appreciate any thoughts you or anyone else has had.

Joe

[SebastianB]

No, not yet. We are tentatively planning on departing around May from Long Beach Ms.

[SebastianB]

Tentative Plans
May 21 or so
Depart Long Beach, MS- make day sail to Petit Bois Island. Anchor overnight then get up next morning and head out to Port St Joe. Rest up a day or two in PSJ then head out to St Pete. Rest up a day or so in St Pete. Head South Hop down to Maybe Ft Myers area then to Little Shark and over to Marathon. All of this depending on weather, wind, etc of course. Thinking 14 days should give enought time if weather right and we dont have any major foul ups. I will have 21 days so hopefully can get down there in that time without too much trouble. Idea is to make a few two day hops with some rest at the end of them with maybe a couple day sail/night anchor in the last leg. Can't wait! Praying for fair winds! Now to get all the "Must Do" stuff finished before we can cast the lines.

Any Opinions, suggestions welcome!

[Mainstreet]

I just today, Friday Mar 11 had a survey on my new boat in Slidell. Should have all the details of the sale tied up within the next two weeks. Can't believe the weather here yesterday, today and forecast for Saturday! With luck we'll be following you on the same route by the first week in April. Looking forward to reading about your experiences on the way to Marathon. Fair winds!

Joe

[Mainstreet]

Just rereads your last post...realized I read it wrong. Guess you'll be following us! I'll report in as we make the trip in real time!

Joe

[Mainstreet]

Just reread your last post...realized I read it wrong. Guess you'll be following us! I'll report in as we make the trip in real time!

Joe

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SebastianB

Tentative Plans
May 21 or so
Depart Long Beach, MS- make day sail to Petit Bois Island. Anchor overnight then get up next morning and head out to Port St Joe. Rest up a day or two in PSJ then head out to St Pete. Rest up a day or so in St Pete. Head South Hop down to Maybe Ft Myers area then to Little Shark and over to Marathon. All of this depending on weather, wind, etc of course. Thinking 14 days should give enought time if weather right and we dont have any major foul ups. I will have 21 days so hopefully can get down there in that time without too much trouble. Idea is to make a few two day hops with some rest at the end of them with maybe a couple day sail/night anchor in the last leg. Can't wait! Praying for fair winds! Now to get all the "Must Do" stuff finished before we can cast the lines.

Any Opinions, suggestions welcome!

Reasonable plan and 14 days gives you some time to enjoy it.

You could just catch a favorable weather window and go all the way to Key West, but thats not nearly as interesting as the coastal hop option. Try and include the Dry Tortugas if you have time. Easy overnight from Ft Myers.

[SebastianB]

Originally Posted by Mainstreet

Just reread your last post...realized I read it wrong. Guess you'll be following us! I'll report in as we make the trip in real time!

Joe

LOL! Yep looks like we will be following y'all. Look forward to reading about your trip!

[SebastianB]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Reasonable plan and 14 days gives you some time to enjoy it.

You could just catch a favorable weather window and go all the way to Key West, but thats not nearly as interesting as the coastal hop option. Try and include the Dry Tortugas if you have time. Easy overnight from Ft Myers.

We had discussed the straight across trip but my wife not to keen on it as we are fairly new sailors. Plus she wants to see a few ports on the way. Dry Tortugas are definitely on the bucket list. If we don't hit them on the initial trip it will happen soon after. We are going to be home basing out of Marathon for the next few years.