Tampa, FL to Houston, TX

[Fishman_Tx]

Where in Tampa? How tall is she? Will you be there for the loadout? PM me all the gory details... I bet I can get you for way less than 5k. We hauled out at Madeira Beach, the crane for stepping the mast was a separate fee. John's boys picked it up and hauled it off to the yard in Rockport and put her on the hard. Total cost a hair under 4k. The trucking by itself was 3k. Do the haulout at Salt Creek (is that right?) and the price will be better than we got or most others except maybe Cortez Cove. We got gouged at Snug Harbor.

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by The Mons

Plus, if we trucked it we would miss out on the adventure which I think we may never have another opportunity to experience.

Ah! NOW we're talking.

Since that's part of the plan AND you have a boat that's not as height limiting as a sailboat, go for it. Just be aware that in the ICW in Louisiana, plan for LOTS of delays, and places to park for the night may be few and far between.

[Nice N Easy]

It isn't necessary to run 100 miles offshore to avoid all the oil rigs out there. You can stay in the safety fairways, and not have to run that far off. However, the water 100 miles out is so much prettier, I can understand going that way.

[Squeaks]

It was way back in 1980 but we had a wonderful cruise from Houston, Tx to the FL Keys in our 23-ft twin-keel Westerly. I was surprised to read the warnings about the LA ICW, which we fond the barge traffic interesting, even getting invited to tie alongside a potato barge for about 100-miles, enjoying our first taste of authentic red beans and rice by the captain and crew, which we were very impressed with their seamanship. They were very curious of us from San Francisco and, as it was just after Christmas and with alongside, delighted in telling the bridge & lock operators of "what Santa Clause brought them"! Enjoy the adventure.
John