Month Long Cruise PCB - Key West - 340

Hampton, I wish the the best of luck on your trip. Maybe by the time you get back you can get by the pass. Word is it will be shut down to all boats other than ones for BP. When you get back give me a shout and we'll go have a beer.
 
Thanks - Sounds like if I time the tides right, I'll be ok.

160 miles today - 7 hours. Boat likes running fast when this heavy, but seas were fairly large, so we got hammered a couple of times. We ran from Carabelle (neat little town) to the East end of Dog Island (watch out for the reef!), then straight to Hudson, Fl, about 5 miles North of Port Richey.

We used every ounce of gas. Both tanks were reading empty 15 miles from the marina (I know, I know). We kept it on plane the whole way (except for fishing at the tower 40 miles out of Carabelle). I carried spare fuel - we didn't use it. We took on over 218 gallons (out of 225). I kept doing math the whole way. We could have turned East for gas. We could have slowed down to 7 knots and made it all the way to Key West.

Actual mileage in fairly rough seas, heavy, heavy boat - 218 gallons, 160 miles - Just over .75mpg. The boat needed to go 23 knots (26 mph) to stay comfortably on plane. Fuel flow indicated 15.5 - 16.5 per side, depending on weight, winds, and seas at the time. Video and pics later tonight. Time for beer (Rum and coke actually - not too much coke).
 
John, how much heavier than normal do you estimate you have it loaded?
 
mistercomputerman said:
Where are you going?
Click to expand...

Maybe 500 pounds - really makes a diff - 2 Full Scuba Sets, 5 kitesurfing kites, 2 boards, gear for 2, Lots of ETOH, clothes for a month, dinghy and motor on board, spare gas, cleaning supplies, weather gear, extra coolers, fishing stuff, this computer...
 
mistercomputerman said:
Where are you going?
Click to expand...

From Panama City, Fl to Key West. Probably a few nights at the Dry Tortugas (Fort Jefferson). We're going to get there fast and then we'll take it slow, that's where we want to go...to Key West, Flo.
 
Last night, more storms rolled into Carabelle. At Tyndall, we always talk about the TS that start in Carabelle - we saw them real time. We walked to dinner, because we wanted to. Almost nothing open at 2130 on a Sat night - who'd a thunk?

Carrabelle005.jpg


Carrabelle004.jpg


Carrabelle001.jpg


Carrabelle002.jpg


Carrabelle003.jpg


Carrabelle006.jpg
 
jeffk said:
When do you think you will be near the Venice inlet?
Click to expand...

Tomorrow - Mon PM.

Where you going to be?

Loaded a bunch of pics/videos. Photobucket dumped.

I'll try again.
 
Last edited:
Work till 4, then to the shop to check on our boat. Do you need anything? If you go in the Venice inlet, you have the Crows Nest to the right, .10 off gas for Sea Tow members, and dockage, used to be free. Just north a little there is another dockside restaurant. Venice MM to the south has .10 off with their Rewards program.
 
Later today or tomorrow for Venice inlet. We are having lunch with my cousins and then off to the South, wind permitting. It's pretty rough out of the West today.
 
The PhotoB is uploading some videos right now:

We have lightning storms in Carabelle
There a pic of spray coming over the side of the boat
A video of me catching a small Bonita - Tricky guy spooled me (travelling at 7 knots)
Video of running on plane with both tanks empty and no land in sight

I'll post the links when they are done.
 
Hampton said:
From Panama City, Fl to Key West. Probably a few nights at the Dry Tortugas (Fort Jefferson). We're going to get there fast and then we'll take it slow, that's where we want to go...to Key West, Flo.
Click to expand...

Are you planning on taking the 340 to the Dry Tortugas? It is 70miles from key West (round trip making it 140) and I didn't think there was any fuel on the Dry Tortugas? Couples of night on the hook will run your tanks empty OR are you planning on taking a charter?

Always wanted to do it as well, just not sure how with my current boat?
 
That's the plan. We're very good with genny use. Also, we are carrying extra gas. We just ran 160 miles on full plane in rough seas. If we slow down and fish for a few hours each way, we will have plenty of reserve (famous last words).

John
 
Returning to dock the night before last:







Carrabelle014.jpg
 
Here are the videos from yesterday, Day 2, 160 miles in one day between Carabelle and Hudson, Fl:

Me getting schooled by a tiny Bonita
Rough Waters
No gas, no land in sight (not really no gas - just none indicated)
Arriving in the Channel







 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,167
Messages
1,427,699
Members
61,078
Latest member
96SR40EC
Back
Top