Hi all.Im bringing a (new to me) 44 ft IG 44ft motorcruiser from Melbourne fla to Carrabelle fla. I know its bad timing but I have no choice. I do have trepidation. We'll be headed by way of the Ocachobe canal up through the west side Icw not sure what we'll find for good Anchorage reasonable fuel and good marinas we probably cross the gulf at Tarpon springs or crystal river.any advice would be appreciated other than don't go.lol
Maiden voyage
- Thread starter treetops
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Blissboat
Guru
Floating debris in the ICW and around passes like Redfish, Boca Grande, Stump, etc. on up past the Tampa Bay entrance would be my big concern. That's going to be a hazard for weeks to come. If possible, take on all the fuel and supplies you'll need for the trip before leaving Melbourne, or at Stuart. Then once you get across the state to Ft. Myers, I would navigate cautiously out into the Gulf and try to stay outside / offshore as much as possible the rest of the way to Carrabelle.
If you have to put in somewhere between Ft. Myers and your destination, Tarpon Springs may be the least disturbed by the two recent hurricanes. South of there the Pinellas beach towns are still beat up from Helene's flooding, and everything from Anna Maria on south toward Ft. Myers south is beaten up from Milton. The further north you go from the Anclote River, the greater the damage from Helene. At least Carrabelle had the good luck to be on the favored side of Helene's eyewall.
Wherever you go, just keep a wary eye out for stuff in the water or just beneath the surface that you don't want to hit with your hull or props.
Congrats on your new-to-you IG!
If you have to put in somewhere between Ft. Myers and your destination, Tarpon Springs may be the least disturbed by the two recent hurricanes. South of there the Pinellas beach towns are still beat up from Helene's flooding, and everything from Anna Maria on south toward Ft. Myers south is beaten up from Milton. The further north you go from the Anclote River, the greater the damage from Helene. At least Carrabelle had the good luck to be on the favored side of Helene's eyewall.
Wherever you go, just keep a wary eye out for stuff in the water or just beneath the surface that you don't want to hit with your hull or props.
Congrats on your new-to-you IG!
