Memorial Day trip to Port Lucaya

missnmountains said:
Guys, Let me know where everyone will be staying prior to crossing. I am in for May. We will head across the day before and stay in Stuart. Any recommendations? Any
contingencies should the Gulf Stream get ugly?

It might make sense as May gets closer to get contact info and how many are going.

I have a somewhat flexible schedule, but I don't want to sit in Stuart or Lucaya for days waiting for good weather.
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I live in Delray and will be leaving from my house on thursday morning early, going out Boca Inlet and heading straight to PL. If you want, there is a City marina in delray that you could stay wednesday night and join me in the morning.

Randy
 
Odyssey said:
I live in Delray and will be leaving from my house on thursday morning early, going out Boca Inlet and heading straight to PL. If you want, there is a City marina in delray that you could stay wednesday night and join me in the morning.

Randy
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Having never made the trip, I can't speak to contingency plans without help.

I'll be happy to meet up with both of you at the boca inlet and we can follow eachother. I usually cruise at about 30 mph at 3600 rpm, but I can slow that down or speed it up if need be.
 
I think if we leave early enough on Wednesday, we could make it to Delray, but we might be better leaving cape coral on Tuesday, stay a night in Stuart and down to Delray.

Which City Marina?
 
missnmountains said:
I think if we leave early enough on Wednesday, we could make it to Delray, but we might be better leaving cape coral on Tuesday, stay a night in Stuart and down to Delray.

Which City Marina?
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I think you're right about leaving Tuesday. When we did the crossing through the lake, it took us most of the day.

The Delray marina is a small 24 slip facility right on the ICW just south of Atlantic Ave. I'll give you the phone number later so you can make slip reservations.

Randy
 
Just to bring this thread back to the top...Who is still interested in heading to Port Lucaya Marina in May?

There may be a group of two of us heading across from the West Coast.
 
missnmountains said:
Just to bring this thread back to the top...Who is still interested in heading to Port Lucaya Marina in May?

There may be a group of two of us heading across from the West Coast.
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Glad you posted this. Here is who I know is planning to go at this time -

Odyssey (me)
Ray306
Barryg
TiminFl
Chad (need to confirm)

please add your name and keep this going.

Randy
 
We're in and I hope Earthmover17 will be with us.

We are making reservations now. I can't wait to meet everyone.

The trip is going to be very special.
 
Is there a preferred spot to stay while in country? If so, what's the name? I'd like to book my reservations sooner than later.

-T
 
timinfla2 said:
Is there a preferred spot to stay while in country? If so, what's the name? I'd like to book my reservations sooner than later.

-T
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Hi Tim - are you talking about where to stay in Port Lucaya? If so, here's the place -

https://marinas.com/view/marina/5848

That link will give you contact information, photos and other stuff. I would not email the reservation request, I have tried that before and it has been unreliable. A phone call is the best way. Also, the next link will show you Bell Channel (the entrance to Prt Lucaya), the marina and the surrounding area.

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=26.5129959&lon=-78.6389136&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2

The following link shows you a map of the docks at the marina. we always try to stay on the Central Dock but they don't guaranty placement, you have to ask upon arrival.

http://www.portlucayamarina.com/marina/facilities.htm

Let me know if you need anything else.

Randy
 
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here's another couple of links for the trip -

weather and radar. click on #77 and get "current" as well as "forecast"
http://www.wunderground.com/wunderm....stm=0&wxsn=1&wxsn.mode=tw&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0

wave action
http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display.cgi?a=bahaman_wave

wind and other good information for south florida
http://www.stormsurf.com/locals/bahaman.shtml

tides at lake boca
http://www.mobilegeographics.com:81/graphs/646.png

NOAA wave prediction for south Fl
http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/viewer.shtml?-US_keywest-

US Navy wave prediction
https://oceanography.navy.mil/legacy/web/cgi-bin/graphic.pl/metoc/336/21/0-0-1/2

Randy
 
Randy those links are great, but I have learned never ever trust the weather. A week ago tuesday, our scheduled day back from Key West, all sources called for less than 5 knot winds and less than two feet seas. Tuesday morning 20knot winds and 3 to 5 foot seas. Added over two hours to our trip home.

How far in advance are they taking reservations at the Marina? Do they require a deposit? Our favorite marina in Key West (conch harbor) requires one slipnight non-refundable deposit. No weather refunds.
 
Guys, I would give thought to xm weather. Then no questions whats out there. JC
 
JC..Great idea, but no wave heights. Last I recall, XM provides wind speed, but doesn't provide wave heights. Wind speed doesn't always relate directly to wave heights and direction of the waves.

I can cruise at 25 knots in 3 to 5 foot seas if they are following. If they are head seas, I am down to 10 to 12 knots or even less.
 
missnmountains said:
How far in advance are they taking reservations at the Marina? Do they require a deposit? Our favorite marina in Key West (conch harbor) requires one slipnight non-refundable deposit. No weather refunds.
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They'll take the ressies now and ask for a CC number but they don't charge it. if the weather is bad and you don't arrive the day you reserved, they will not charge the card. Confirm these things when you book the slip.

Randy
 
Guys, XM Weather does indeed have wave ht. Ive crossed over 8xs with it and it sure does give peace of mind. JC
 
Wow, thanks again - I'm continually amazed at the amount of weather sites out there that I'm only now becoming aware of thanks to this forum.

+1 on the XM weather - I was very close to buying that this winter but I opted for a camper top instead. If I start making a habit of offshore cruising, I'll likely pick up a unit.

-T
 
What channel on XM? Mine gives me local, but not marine? I must not have found the correct marine channel yet.
 
missnmountains said:
JC..Great idea, but no wave heights. Last I recall, XM provides wind speed, but doesn't provide wave heights. Wind speed doesn't always relate directly to wave heights and direction of the waves.
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It seems like sometimes the forecast isn't that good either.

The forecast early this AM was for <2' near shore and 2-4' in the gulfstream. I just got back from Ft. Lauderdale beach and it was <2' near the shore and huge as you got close to the Gulfstream. It looks like a massive reef out there with waves of maybe 7-9'. The locals call it "looking for the elephants". If you see the elephants on the horizon best to go another day.

It looks like you split you time between CO and FLA. Nice deal.
 
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