FL to TX in April/May - ICW or cross the gulf?

[swisscat76]

Looking for tips, info, timing, etc. regarding crossing the Gulf in April/May. We've got a Hunter 45 that we're taking from GA/FL border (where she's on the hard) to Houston, TX...looking for any kind of info, particularly good jumping off points in south FL, oil rig hazards, # days to cross, etc. Thanks!

[PBzeer]

If you have crew, then I'd go out at St Marys Inlet and head south (weather permitting). Jacksonville Inlet is within easy reach, if problems or weather come up. Go in at St Augustine and do a thorough check of the boat and get a good nights rest.

Back outside, Ft Pierce is an overnight run, or Miami a two night one, then Key West another overnight run. From there, it's a question of weather. If you do the Gulf, you'll probably need a SW heading, and then back up to Galveston. If you head up the Florida coast, or straight up to the Panhandle, the Inlet at Destin can be tricky and the bridge is fixed, so you need to head for Panama City or Pensacola. Go outside from Pensacola to New Orleans for the ICW. Next stop is Houma, then Morgan City. What we did between Morgan City and Lake Charles is follow a barge overnight. Past Lake Charles is a lift bridge with 50' clearance and requires, as I recall, a 4 hour notice to open. If the weather is good, just go out the Calcesuea (sp) River out to the Gulf and head for Galveston.

[swisscat76]

this helps, thanks john! the boat is actually in st. mary's now, so that's a great jumping point. we will have crew, so i'm hoping to get outside. i keep reading about unlit abandoned oil rigs in the gulf?? thanks again.

[MARC2012]

Rigs are in La.Might be some now in Al.Destin bridge aprox 50 ft.marc

[Minnewaska]

Is there radar on the boat, to keep an eye out for rigs? Or pick a good moon lit night or two to be in their vicinity.

[mdbee]

Gulf oil platforms

[swisscat76]

yes, there is radar on the boat. thanks for all this info! good stuff! i'm still leaning toward off-shore...hope the weather cooperates!

[CapnBilll]

Good picture, once you get into deep water, all you will see are the floaters, and they are well lit, the unlit ones are going to be older rigs in shallower water.

[bob77903]

If you stay out in deep water, off the shelf, you can avoid all but a few Big well lit rigs until you turn inbound to Galveston..

[Minnewaska]

I try not to be too tough on those that reply to dated threads, but this one was started in Feb and the title to the thread suggests they undertook the journey 3 months ago.

Since the OP only has 3 posts and never came back, not sure if we'll ever hear. Hope they didnt smack a rig.