APALACHICOLA, FL TO DUNEDIN, FL - CROSSING THE GULF

Saturday, November 29th to Sunday, November 30th, 2014

Day 117-118
Miles Traveled: 194 (in 26 hours)
Total Miles Traveled: 2481


  We enjoyed our stay at Apalachicola, FL.  This was a neat little town to stay at until a weather window opened for an overnight gulf crossing.  The Water Street Hotel Marina, although small, was nice and conveniently located to town. 

leaving Water Street Hotel Marina

  Saturday morning after reading Eddy's Weather Wag on the AGLCA forum and looking at the weather and wind forecasts for the hundredth time,  we decided it was time to cast off our lines and cross The Gulf to the west side of Florida.  Before leaving, we had to get the cabin secure for possible rough seas.  Nothing could be left on ledges or shelves that might fall off.  The table and trash were laid on there sides.  The couch was secured to the wall.  These were just of few examples of preparing for this day's journey.  This was not going to be a typical "day on the water" so extra preparations had to be made. 

Dan ready to captain "Seahorse" across The Gulf

  We buddied up with three other boats for this trip.  Safety in numbers.  We chose our crossing mates because our boats traveled at about the same speed, they were well maintained vessels, and we had confidence that if a problem arose our buddy boats would help us out.  We crossed with John & Kathy on "Serenity", Roger & Mary on "Ta-Ta, and Mark & Becky on "Mara Beel".  Jim & Mimi aboard "Perfect Balance" also decided to travel with us at the last minute.  We could not have hoped for a better group of boaters to travel with for this nighttime Gulf of Mexico crossing.  

"Serenity" and "Mara Beel"

"Ta-Ta"

  The cruise started out a little lumpy coming out of East Pass to enter The Gulf of Mexico.  But, as the afternoon and evening progressed, the winds and waves improved and made for a pretty comfortable ride.  There were many times we had dolphins swimming off of our bow.  The sunset and sunrise on The Gulf were spectacular.  

entering The Gulf

dolphins playing in our bow wake - on both sides

sunset on The Gulf

sunrise on The Gulf

  Neither of us slept much during the crossing.  Even though we took turns driving, the other just wasn't able to fall asleep - too much excitement.  We left Apalachicola, FL at 10:00 am and arrived at our final destination, Dunedin, FL, at about 1:00 pm on Sunday.  

  We did come across a lot of crab pots (metal cages to catch crabs with floats attached for fisherman to find them).  These floats that mark the crab pots are small and blend in with the water so they are difficult to see.  We played "dodge em'' " when we got closer to shore on the other side.  These are common findings along the coast.  


  On Sunday, after our arrival, putting the cabin back together, and a short nap, another boating couple had a BBQ for our "crossing group".  We had grilled chicken and all the fixins'.  It was a great way to celebrate a successful and safe crossing, and we didn't have to cook. "Cheers to a Good Crossing!"  

Our Gulf Crossing group