approaching route decision time

currently heading south and west around the Florida Keys. We'll be heading north soon, ultimate destination Pensacola, FL, with lots of questions: 1. choices for turning north are a. Channel Five B. 7 mile bridge C. around Key West. given that we are making the turn in the next day or two and assume a draft of 6 feet, Which route should we take Which weather channel(s) should we listen to on the VHF? Which charts should we have on board? Given our assumed draft, the ICWW may not work for us. If it would, which sections would be worth considering? If staying outside, which ports might work for places to duck in to avoid weather? Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated Reggie and Barbara

Hi Reggie and Barbara My comments embedded*** --- r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: > > currently heading south and west around the Florida > Keys. We'll be heading north soon, ultimate > destination Pensacola, FL, with lots of questions: > > 1. choices for turning north are > a. Channel Five > B. 7 mile bridge > C. around Key West. ***You have seen Key West, has Barbara? We love visiting, "Disneyland for Adults", and seldom get close without stopping. If time is a consideration, you can save a few days by going under the 7 mile bridge and crossing Florida Bay. We have taken our 5'10" draft across there several times. I do watch the tides and wind direction. > > given that we are making the turn in the next day or > two and assume a draft of 6 feet, > > Which route should we take > > Which weather channel(s) should we listen to on the > VHF? ***I always listen to the strongest signal on the VHF WX channels, then determine the area of forecast. > > Which charts should we have on board? *** We have map tech on the PC, but always carry paper charts. I like the Chart book for the west coast of FL. It covers from the Keys to Panama City, has large scale as well as detail. Available at West Marine. > > Given our assumed draft, the ICWW may not work for > us. *** Most of the ICW south of Tampa Bay is too shallow. We have ducked in at Longboat Key, good anchorage and Moore's Stone Crab Cafe should not be missed. They occasionally have free slips at their dock. We have day sailed from Marathon/7 mi. bridge, ducking in at Marco Island, and Fort Myers, etc. I do not have my charts or log book tonight, but will report after I have looked at them. If it would, which sections would be worth > considering? *** Depending on WX, we have taken the "ditch" from Long Boat Key, north across Tampa Bay, then up to Clearwater - good marina, fuel and anchorage. Don't miss Frenchy's Salt Water Cafe on Clearwater Beach - great smoked fish dip. There a lot of draw bridges along the way, but most open on request. Some have early and late closures during road traffic rush hour. The chart book gives details. Then, if you don't have a good WX forecast for a rhumb line from Clearwater to Pensacola, we stay in the ICW to Tarpon Springs. We love Greek food, so always go to the municipal marina and enjoy. Just follow the garlic aroma up the Anclote River. After feasting we usually go back out to Anclote Key, good anchorage, wait for WX and make the 135 shot to Applachacola, via Government Pass. Watch the daymarks in the bay carefully. We always stop at Applachacola for the famous oysters. You cannot miss at any number of waterfront cafes. Since the Air Force has a test range off Cape San Blas and you must go way off shore, we usually take the ICW up through Lake Wicimoco to Port St. Joe. There is a 50' bridge on the ICW east of Panama City, so we go outside the 7 miles from Port St Joe to Panama City. Sometimes we go in at Panama City, but must go outside from there to Pensacola, due to more 50' bridges. From the Panama City R-2 to the P'cola R-2 is about 90 miles, so we leave very early to assure we are entering P'cola Pass before dark. Going east, we always go out and anchor just inside the pass at Fort Pickens and leave at about 0300.

Reggie, Since you have net access, check out cruisernet.net. extensive information from other sailors posted in messages with current information and travel suggestions. Western Florida and the Keys each have their own sections. Enjoy John