Am trying to get to Ft Laud or Lake Worth inlet from St. Marks on th
upper gulf coast in order to go to the Bahamas. However, I have done
the trip up and down the west coast several times both in and offshore
(28' Sailboat). Inshore takes longer while offshore is either boring
or scary. From St Marks (actually Shell Point) to Clearwater is 28
hours for me. My max I want to be aboard is 48 hours (one very long
trip across the Gulf yrs ago).
My real limitation is my getting antsy after a week aboard to get back
to doing stuff at work and at home. Thus, I have to go as far as I
can, leave the boat for a week or so and then go more. Marinas are
not set up to allow such. Generally they want to lease a slip for a
minimum of a month or charge outrageous overnight fees.
I'd consider leaving her anchored well for a week but am not too sure
of how wise this would be. Ragtime is long past paid for and her loss
would not be a financial problem for me and I do not own anything I
leave aboard of any value. However, I'd hate for someone to cut her
anchor rode and cause her to be a hazard to navigation.
Suggestions?
Do not suggest waiting till I have time for an extended cruise because
I have no desire for an extended cruise, just not the way I do things.
So, it is a toss up between really LOOooooonnggggg offshore trips to
get a long ways or taking many inshore jumps that take longer.

On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:29:57 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

So, it is a toss up between really LOOooooonnggggg offshore trips to
get a long ways or taking many inshore jumps that take longer.

To safely do long offshore legs you need experience and good crew that
can manage everything while you sleep. If you try to pull all
nighters by yourself in coastal waters, bad things are going to
happen.

I can get you free dockage in the Ft Myers area for a week or so in
November/December. From here you can go across the state to Port St
Lucie on the Okeechobee Waterway in two or three days, a good jumping
off point for the Bahamas.

On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:29:57 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

Am trying to get to Ft Laud or Lake Worth inlet from St. Marks on th
upper gulf coast in order to go to the Bahamas. However, I have done
the trip up and down the west coast several times both in and offshore
(28' Sailboat). Inshore takes longer while offshore is either boring
or scary. From St Marks (actually Shell Point) to Clearwater is 28
hours for me. My max I want to be aboard is 48 hours (one very long
trip across the Gulf yrs ago).
My real limitation is my getting antsy after a week aboard to get back
to doing stuff at work and at home. Thus, I have to go as far as I
can, leave the boat for a week or so and then go more. Marinas are
not set up to allow such. Generally they want to lease a slip for a
minimum of a month or charge outrageous overnight fees.
I'd consider leaving her anchored well for a week but am not too sure
of how wise this would be. Ragtime is long past paid for and her loss
would not be a financial problem for me and I do not own anything I
leave aboard of any value. However, I'd hate for someone to cut her
anchor rode and cause her to be a hazard to navigation.
Suggestions?
Do not suggest waiting till I have time for an extended cruise because
I have no desire for an extended cruise, just not the way I do things.
So, it is a toss up between really LOOooooonnggggg offshore trips to
get a long ways or taking many inshore jumps that take longer.

Find something like this near the limit of your trip legs:
http://www.docksearch.com/s/search_s...ing_state=FLTB

673 Bay Esplanade
673 Bay Esplanade
Clearwater Beach
Florida (Tampa Bay Area) - 33767
United States
(View on Map)
Max Length: 30 ft.
Max Beam (width): 10 ft.
Max Draw (depth): 4 ft.
Max Clearance (height): Unlimited
Liveaboard Allowed: No
(Listing ID: #2128)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great slip at beautiful Clearwater Beach, with direct access to the
Gulf. No liveaboards but long weekends OK. 2 Room Condos are avaible
to rent on a 3 Day or more basis....[more]

Monthly Rate: $175

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:29:57 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

So, it is a toss up between really LOOooooonnggggg offshore trips to
get a long ways or taking many inshore jumps that take longer.

To safely do long offshore legs you need experience and good crew that
can manage everything while you sleep. If you try to pull all
nighters by yourself in coastal waters, bad things are going to
happen.

I can get you free dockage in the Ft Myers area for a week or so in
November/December. From here you can go across the state to Port St
Lucie on the Okeechobee Waterway in two or three days, a good jumping
off point for the Bahamas.

I'd second what Wayne has here and add that once you're in the Indian River
anchoring shouldn't be a big problem. I haven't heard of sailboats being cut
loose or vandalized in 22 years here. A few power boats stolen and stripped
or for joyrides by teens but sailboats seem to be fairly invisable.
More likely to have a B&E (extent of my cop lingo) at a marina.

Frogwatch wrote:
Am trying to get to Ft Laud or Lake Worth inlet from St. Marks on th
upper gulf coast in order to go to the Bahamas.

Not everybody has the temperament to spend time at sea. Why don't you
see if you can find a captain to get your boat to Palm. Presumably, the
cost will be minimal given the economy.

If being at sea bores you instead of relaxing you, then maybe you need
to reconsider your plans. Instead of boat ownership, consider chartering.

On Oct 31, 10:44*am, slide wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
Am trying to get to Ft Laud or Lake Worth inlet from St. Marks on th
upper gulf coast in order to go to the Bahamas.

Not everybody has the temperament to spend time at sea. Why don't you
see if you can find a captain to get your boat to Palm. Presumably, the
cost will be minimal given the economy.

If being at sea bores you instead of relaxing you, then maybe you need
to reconsider your plans. Instead of boat ownership, consider chartering.

Problem MAY be solved. 23 yr old daughter and her bf, both sailors
want to do parts of the trip. They can sail for a few days and I will
rejoin them wherever they are.
As far as going across the Gulf: I have done this several times so am
familiar with it.

Frogwatch wrote:
On Oct 31, 10:44 am, slide wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
Am trying to get to Ft Laud or Lake Worth inlet from St. Marks on th
upper gulf coast in order to go to the Bahamas.
Not everybody has the temperament to spend time at sea. Why don't you
see if you can find a captain to get your boat to Palm. Presumably, the
cost will be minimal given the economy.

If being at sea bores you instead of relaxing you, then maybe you need
to reconsider your plans. Instead of boat ownership, consider chartering.

Problem MAY be solved. 23 yr old daughter and her bf, both sailors
want to do parts of the trip. They can sail for a few days and I will
rejoin them wherever they are.
As far as going across the Gulf: I have done this several times so am
familiar with it.

Sounds like a great solution for all involved.