November trip

[keith c]

Planning to help a friend move a newly purchased vessel, carver 360 mariner, from Marco Island to Madisonville La in mid/late november. My main concern is the trip from Marco Island to Apalachicola. Am I looking at strong south and north winds with a front passage and weather delays etc ?

 

[ragin cajun]

will ya be jumping from Marco directly to Apalachicola? in a smaller boat (36ft) I would consider moving north along the coast at least to Tarpon Springs before crossing the Gulf. As you know weather can change from warm, southerly winds to 30kts cold front blows in just a few days. Watch your weather and long term weather forecast. after Apalach its inside all the way except for Mobile bay and Miss Sound. have a great trip!

 

[O C Diver]

If it were me, I'd run up the coast to Tarpon Springs. If the weather turns, you can run the GICW (Gulf Inter Coastal Waterway) from Fort Myers to Tarpon Springs.

Then you wait for a weather window and either run to Carrabelle or Panama city.

I'd plan on the GICW the rest of the way.

Tarpon Springs to Carrabelle is around 130 miles. Tarpon Springs to Panama city is about 200 miles. Going further North in the Gulf to Crystal River will shorten the distance more. Depending on what the boat draws, there are a few other ports you may be able to get into in the NE corner of the Gulf.

Don't forget to stop and eat Greek food in Tarpon Springs!

Ted