Gulf Crossing from Isla Mujeres Mexico to Dry Tortugas and onto Key West

[Arl798]

Well Friends the time has come.

The "University Dropout" is going to make another Gulf crossing. The only difference is the Captain is me this time. Will be my first gulf crossing. A friend is coming with me who has about 3-4000 nm sailing experience and lots of night crossings, most of which were single handed.

Electronics on board include:

2 Epirbs
Garmin 740s with Radar
Garmin 521s (too find fish)
Standard Horizon VHF with AIS
Sat phone
Auto Pilot
2 Ipads with diff navigating programs

Looking for any advice anyone has on carrying the extra amount of fuel I will need and anything else you guys can think of that I may have forgotten.

The trip on paper is 300nm to Dry Tortugas National Park, the another 50nm to Key West Harbor.

My boat is a 1999 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge with 350hp Cat 3116 Engines. Capacity is 330 Gallons and plan to bring an extra 270 Gallons with me in 15 gallon bulk containers. Will be slow cruising at night and up on plane during day lights.

Any advice would be great.

Thx

 

[h_gerry]

May I suggest a life raft, just in case, and a satellite phone for communication when you are in the middle of the crossing.


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[Arl798]

Forgot to add sat phone to my list. Its in there now.

May I suggest a life raft and a satellite phone.


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[Pyrojodge]

Awesome, subscribed for updates and calm seas for your trip.

 

[fwebster]

The Gulf of Mexico can be "bouncy" this time of year. For example, right now, this morning, the mid-Gulf weather bouy (#42003, west of Naples) is reporting 25kt South winds with gusts to 30kts and 8-10 ft seas. Pouring fuel out of 15 gallon containers into the deck fills is going to be a challenge. We frequently move short range boats from NW Florida to Clearwater or ports north like Tarpon Springs. We always use oil drums lashed down in the cockpit and portable pumps for extra fuel. It is easy to sink the barrels if you don't need them for the return trip.

The other concern is that with 8-10 ft seas, you are not going to have 330 useable gallons of fuel. It will be more like 230 gallons, so plan accordingly. I don't think you will be running at planing speeds in 10 ft seas either.

Sounds like a fun trip.......be safe.

 

[copb8tx]

Nothing to offer you in terms of suggestions, just my well wishes. What an exciting trip. Look forward to hearing your progress reports.

BTW, I never realized that Isla Murejes was so close to Dry Tortugas. We were in DT just a couple of months ago for the first time.

 

[Arl798]

Completley agree with you on this one and I sure wont be casting off with anything like that in the forcast. I have all the time in the world to leave so I will be waiting on a window. I have a set up to pump the fuel into the tank all while being safely in the cockpit in the rear. The reason I didn't use drums was I want to put a good chunk of the aux fuel in between the engines in the engine room. They fit perfect and can be secured. Do you see an issue with this?

Did I catch that right that you sink the barrels?

Thk you all for the well wishes as well. I fly down to Isla mujeres on the 9. Install radar and wait on my window.

The Gulf of Mexico can be "bouncy" this time of year. For example, right now, this morning, the mid-Gulf weather bouy (#42003, west of Naples) is reporting 25kt South winds with gusts to 30kts and 8-10 ft seas. Pouring fuel out of 15 gallon containers into the deck fills is going to be a challenge. We frequently move short range boats from NW Florida to Clearwater or ports north like Tarpon Springs. We always use oil drums lashed down in the cockpit and portable pumps for extra fuel. It is easy to sink the barrels if you don't need them for the return trip.

The other concern is that with 8-10 ft seas, you are not going to have 330 useable gallons of fuel. It will be more like 230 gallons, so plan accordingly. I don't think you will be running at planing speeds in 10 ft seas either.

Sounds like a fun trip.......be safe.

 

[Arl798]

Yup its that close. I have always wanted to go to the Dry Tortugas so trying to kill 2 birds with one stone on this trip. Was in Boca Chica and the Marquesas last week on my friends catamaran but winds were much to light to get us to the DT and back in time to catch my flight.

Nothing to offer you in terms of suggestions, just my well wishes. What an exciting trip. Look forward to hearing your progress reports.

BTW, I never realized that Isla Murejes was so close to Dry Tortugas. We were in DT just a couple of months ago for the first time.

 

[tc410]

Electronics on board include:

2 Epirbs
Garmin 740s with Radar
Garmin 521s (too find fish)
Standard Horizon VHF with AIS
Sat phone
Auto Pilot
2 Ipads with diff navigating programs

Looking for any advice anyone has on carrying the extra amount of fuel I will need and anything else you guys can think of that I may have forgotten.

While you only listed your electronics inventory, I assume you'll be carrying a full inventory of paper charts as back-up and be keeping your position documented regularly as part of your watch? Sounds like a fun trip - be safe!

 

[Arl798]

Yes sir. We figure every half hour we log our location. Sound correct?

While you only listed your electronics inventory, I assume you'll be carrying a full inventory of paper charts as back-up and be keeping your position documented regularly as part of your watch? Sounds like a fun trip - be safe!

 

[Boat Guy]

Hey, I'm glad you started this thread...

I'll throw this out there....

There seems like a lot of potential risk on this adventure. Deep water, distance, sea state....when it potentially could be mitigated.


Isla Mujeres is roughly 100+ miles from Cuba. While Americas have customs difficulties, I don't see why a Canadian has to concern themselves.

I throw out the following information:

If you have any questions about Cuban POE or fuel availability, e-mail
Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich
yachtclub@cnih.mh.cyt.cu

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Cuba/MarinaLosMorros

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f19/santonio-los-morros-cuba-check-in-51886.html

From what I've looked at on the charts and Active Captain, Cuba doesn't seem to be the greatest plan B. The marinas on the west side are not protected and bring fuel in by truck when it's requested. There are some protected mooring spots, but the best marinas are near Havana and west.

BTW - This is one of the sites I use to see conditions : http://sailflow.com/map#23.29,-85.07,6,1

 

[Alex F]

....Looking for any advice anyone has on carrying the extra amount of fuel I will need and anything else you guys can think of that I may have forgotten.

The trip on paper is 300nm to Dry Tortugas National Park, the another 50nm to Key West Harbor.

My boat is a 1999 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge with 350hp Cat 3116 Engines. Capacity is 330 Gallons and plan to bring an extra 270 Gallons with me in 15 gallon bulk containers. Will be slow cruising at night and up on plane during day lights.

Any advice would be great.

Thx

That sounds like very exciting trip.

I have to ask, have you consider doing the "trawler style" and avoid the hassle of messing with all that extra fuel you're planning to store? 270 extra fuel is a lot of 15gal cans.

Assuming that my findings on fuel consumption is correct for CAT 3116, (but Frank knows all these numbers by heart and can correct me if I'm wrong) my point is that if you maintain say 1200RPMs, which can give you around 8-9kts, you'd be burning 4GPH total. Roughly speaking you'll need about 33-35hrs of running time to cover 300NM. This means that you'll burn somewhere around 140 or so gallons leaving you with more than 1/2 tank (total) in reserve.

You want to have even more in reserve? Conditions permitting, get out in the open, shut one engine down, lock the shaft and use only 2GPH total in exchange for loosing 1-1.5kts in speed. Run for 7-10hrs, switch to the other side. Alternate the engines at your convenience and permitting cercomstances.

You said that you have the time, then it makes perfect sense to "pay with time" instead of having to deal with all that extra fuel and "pay with fuel".

 

[Art]

Lots of ship traffic in the Yucatan Channel and Straits of Florida. Suggest have a back up VHF preferably w/AIS. Fall-back could be a portable VHF and a radar reflector so you will be more visible.

http://search.defender.com/?query=Radar reflector echomaster

I imagine your VHF has DSC capability, have you registered a MMSI# with USCG?

If you will have Internet access when at sea there are AIS apps for the iPads.

Good luck, and keeps us updated when possible.

Art

 

[fwebster]

That sounds like very exciting trip.

I have to ask, have you consider doing the "trawler style" and avoid the hassle of messing with all that extra fuel you're planning to store? 270 extra fuel is a lot of 15gal cans.

Assuming that my findings on fuel consumption is correct for CAT 3116, (but Frank knows all these numbers by heart and can correct me if I'm wrong) my point is that if you maintain say 1200RPMs, which can give you around 8-9kts, you'd be burning 4GPH total. Roughly speaking you'll need about 33-35hrs of running time to cover 300NM. This means that you'll burn somewhere around 140 or so gallons leaving you with more than 1/2 tank (total) in reserve.

You want to have even more in reserve? Conditions permitting, get out in the open, shut one engine down, lock the shaft and use only 2GPH total in exchange for loosing 1-1.5kts in speed. Run for 7-10hrs, switch to the other side. Alternate the engines at your convenience and permitting cercomstances.

You said that you have the time, then it makes perfect sense to "pay with time" instead of having to deal with all that extra fuel and "pay with fuel".

Sometimes other factors are more important than fuel economy.

Ari will be transiting some of the most dangerous waters for piracy in this hemisphere. People fleeing politically unsafe areas are very desperate, and smugglers now prefer later model family style cruisers for delivering drugs. A go-fast running 60 mph in the open ocean gets on everyone's radar while a 20 kt Sea Ray just looks like a family cruising to a distant port. Also, it is a lot easier for a pirate to stop a boat running at idle than it is to stop one running at cruise speeds and on plane. Since this trip is in "no-man's land" as far as getting help from the authorities, you wouldn't find me plugging along at 8 kts......I would be a moving target.

 

[Art]

The trip on paper is 300nm to Dry Tortugas National Park, the another 50nm to Key West Harbor.

Have you checked with ICE on clearance formalities? Not sure if you were planing on stopping at DT. But I'd be very surprised if you will be able to clear immigration and customs at Dry Tortugas. You most likely will have to push on to Key West.

Frank makes some very good points about security. Having a weapon on board should not be a problem in Florida. I believe as long has it is on the boat you will not need a carry permit.

 

[BritLady]

Sometimes other factors are more important than fuel economy.

Ari will be transiting some of the most dangerous waters for piracy in this hemisphere. People fleeing politically unsafe areas are very desperate, and smugglers now prefer later model family style cruisers for delivering drugs. A go-fast running 60 mph in the open ocean gets on everyone's radar while a 20 kt Sea Ray just looks like a family cruising to a distant port. Also, it is a lot easier for a pirate to stop a boat running at idle than it is to stop one running at cruise speeds and on plane. Since this trip is in "no-man's land" as far as getting help from the authorities, you wouldn't find me plugging along at 8 kts......I would be a moving target.

That's spot on, our son's in the USCG, he patrols that area regularly and tells me stuff that makes my hair curl First thing on my list is a pump action shot gun (that noise often frightens 'em off!) Folk from our yacht club were nearly boarded by pirates just off Key West a few months ago! We're off to Key West and DT's this summer so looking forward to that. Be careful, and have an enjoyable safe trip. BTW as a University Drop Out you're in good company................Bill Gates, although technically I think he earned enough credits to graduate Plus many other billionaires who did too. They all have that certain, "je ne sais quoi" Good luck!

 

[Arl798]

Thank you for the info it is now in my phone.

Hey, I'm glad you started this thread...

I'll throw this out there....

There seems like a lot of potential risk on this adventure. Deep water, distance, sea state....when it potentially could be mitigated.


Isla Mujeres is roughly 100+ miles from Cuba. While Americas have customs difficulties, I don't see why a Canadian has to concern themselves.

I throw out the following information:

If you have any questions about Cuban POE or fuel availability, e-mail
Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich
yachtclub@cnih.mh.cyt.cu

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Cuba/MarinaLosMorros

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f19/santonio-los-morros-cuba-check-in-51886.html

From what I've looked at on the charts and Active Captain, Cuba doesn't seem to be the greatest plan B. The marinas on the west side are not protected and bring fuel in by truck when it's requested. There are some protected mooring spots, but the best marinas are near Havana and west.

BTW - This is one of the sites I use to see conditions : http://sailflow.com/map#23.29,-85.07,6,1

 

[Arl798]

You def. bring up some valid points but I think personally I would rather make the best time during a weather window I have. The more time I am out there the more weather can kick up. Moving barrels around doesn't overly concern me. But you have some valid points for sure.

That sounds like very exciting trip.

I have to ask, have you consider doing the "trawler style" and avoid the hassle of messing with all that extra fuel you're planning to store? 270 extra fuel is a lot of 15gal cans.

Assuming that my findings on fuel consumption is correct for CAT 3116, (but Frank knows all these numbers by heart and can correct me if I'm wrong) my point is that if you maintain say 1200RPMs, which can give you around 8-9kts, you'd be burning 4GPH total. Roughly speaking you'll need about 33-35hrs of running time to cover 300NM. This means that you'll burn somewhere around 140 or so gallons leaving you with more than 1/2 tank (total) in reserve.

You want to have even more in reserve? Conditions permitting, get out in the open, shut one engine down, lock the shaft and use only 2GPH total in exchange for loosing 1-1.5kts in speed. Run for 7-10hrs, switch to the other side. Alternate the engines at your convenience and permitting cercomstances.

You said that you have the time, then it makes perfect sense to "pay with time" instead of having to deal with all that extra fuel and "pay with fuel".

 

[Arl798]

Agreed! Although I will be cruising 8-9 at night but thx to radar I will be back going 18ish if I see small craft closing in on me.

Sometimes other factors are more important than fuel economy.

Ari will be transiting some of the most dangerous waters for piracy in this hemisphere. People fleeing politically unsafe areas are very desperate, and smugglers now prefer later model family style cruisers for delivering drugs. A go-fast running 60 mph in the open ocean gets on everyone's radar while a 20 kt Sea Ray just looks like a family cruising to a distant port. Also, it is a lot easier for a pirate to stop a boat running at idle than it is to stop one running at cruise speeds and on plane. Since this trip is in "no-man's land" as far as getting help from the authorities, you wouldn't find me plugging along at 8 kts......I would be a moving target.

 

[Arl798]

I went in to the Coast guard office in Key west and they explained to me as long I don't go to land in the Dry Tortugas I can anchor there as long as I see fit. She said if we want to go to land that we should wait untill we know we will be in KW within 24 hrs, call them, report in and then go to land check it out then make our way to KW.

She also said if I don't go to DT and come straight to KW that really I only need to call once I am tied up. I thought that was a little strange but I know I will be calling in 12nm out of KW if we make the straight shot.

Have you checked with ICE on clearance formalities? Not sure if you were planing on stopping at DT. But I'd be very surprised if you will be able to clear immigration and customs at Dry Tortugas. You most likely will have to push on to Key West.

Frank makes some very good points about security. Having a weapon on board should not be a problem in Florida. I believe as long has it is on the boat you will not need a carry permit.