New To Cruising - Soliciting Advice

[christoperrobin]

Hi-

I just purchased a Catalina 27 and would like to cruise from Houston, TX to Miami, Fl via Key West.

Plan to stop and visit several cities along the way. This is kind of a bucket list thing.

Can anyone here provide their experiences?

Assuming good weather windows, how are the average winds and seas along the Florida coast?

I have sailed on and off for years but do not want to bite off more than I can chew.

Thanks!

[belizesailor]

Lots of discussion of legs of this route here on CF. I suggest searching the forum and then asking specific questions.

For winds and other conditions by month Google "Pilot Charts". I think you can now download them directly from the NOAA site.

Best weather along this route is in the spring.

Entire route can be done in relatively short hops.

Respect the GOM, it can be a dangerous place between the weather and the Oil Patch.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by christoperrobin

Hi-

I just purchased a Catalina 27 and would like to cruise from Houston, TX to Miami, Fl via Key West.

Plan to stop and visit several cities along the way. This is kind of a bucket list thing.

Can anyone here provide their experiences?

Assuming good weather windows, how are the average winds and seas along the Florida coast?

I have sailed on and off for years but do not want to bite off more than I can chew.

Thanks!

Get a FLORIDA CRUISING GUIDE. It will be invaluable once you get to Florida.

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by christoperrobin

Hi-

I just purchased a Catalina 27 and would like to cruise from Houston, TX to Miami, Fl via Key West.

Plan to stop and visit several cities along the way. This is kind of a bucket list thing.

Can anyone here provide their experiences?

Assuming good weather windows, how are the average winds and seas along the Florida coast?

I have sailed on and off for years but do not want to bite off more than I can chew.

Thanks!

Congrats on your new boat :-)

If going this time of year you may want to stick close to ports / ICW, so you can duck and tuck into a safe harbor in case of tropical storm or hurricane. In December - April you can head right across with a decent weather window prediction, a nice run, very offshore so big blue water. Be cautious of rigs, can be as far as hundred miles offshore (hundred fathom line) some are not always lit, but they are pretty big so can usually see them with proper watch keeping ( big black silhouette). Lots of traffic, and sometimes big debris floating out there, so again, keep proper watch. sorry for the lecture, I've almost hit a container, makes a gal kinda jumpy.



Tell freckle face, squeaky, and friends, that Erika says hi

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Get a FLORIDA CRUISING GUIDE. It will be invaluable once you get to Florida.

There is also a good Texas guide, by Campbell.