CROSSING THE GULF

Nov. 23 - The big day is here!  It's time to cross the Gulf!!!  The weather window looks pretty good for today and tomorrow before another front moves from west to east.  We left the City Marina dock at high tide and headed out to Government Cut near the inlet where we anchored to await our departure time.  We had planned to depart at 4 PM which would put us into Tarpon Springs around mid-morning.  Shortly before noon we heard several other boaters talking on the VHF radio about heading for the inlet.  After talking to them, we decided to leave earlier so we would have radio contact with them while crossing.  At noon, we were underway! 

Heading to Government Cut and the Gulf

Homes near the Inlet

We had three to four foot waves during the afternoon, but it wasn't uncomfortable.  After dark they laid down to around two feet, which wasn't bad at all.  We took turns at the helm and napping on the couch in the pilot house through the night.  About 4 AM Capt. Bill indicated that if we changed course and headed for Tampa Bay, we would be there about 11 AM.  This sounded like a great idea since it would save us a day's cruise from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete, and we decided to go for it.  It was foggy at dawn and for several hours thereafter.  We continued on down the Intracoastal from Tampa Bay and anchored by Marina Jack's in Sarasota at 1:45 PM.  A marathon for sure - 230 miles in 25 3/4 hours!  Don't think we'll ever top that record.  We were thankful that all went well, and we were safely back on the west coast of Florida.