Fryedaze Cruising Adventures: Big Bend crossing from Carrabelle to Clearwater

     The Big Bend of the Florida's Gulf of Mexico is an interruption of the inland Intercostal water way. The ports along this part of the Florida coast tend to be shallow and require planning to enter with the tides, moon phase and wind condition. For this reason many cruisers make a "B-line" across the Gulf to either Tarpon Springs, Clearwater or other southern ports. Bets and I had discussed how we would cross many times. We really were leaning towards shorter daily sun light runs to the ports on the bend. When it finally can down to decision time in Carrabelle Fla. we decided to make the "B-line" to Clearwater. Reports of a friend who was stuck in Steinhatcheehy for several days waiting for the winds to change so there was enough water to leave port was a big factor in the crossing decision. We had been watch the many weather report services and fell into the perfect weather window on Monday for an over night crossing. Eddys Weather WAG is our overriding decision source. Eddy provides this service to Loopers and his conservative stance on crossing ensures you will have an acceptable ride, even though its a "WAG"!
   We hooked up with friends Tom and Jane on the 49' DeFever Elizabear. Our speeds were the same and we made perfect partners for the crossing. We headed out at 3PM from Carrabelle and headed into the Gulf. Initially the water was dead flat calm. It was looking like the perfect conditions. About three hours into the trip we did experience ground swell waves that hit the four foot range at times. That only lasted a few hours and when the sun went down the seas flattened and we had a smooth ride the whole way to Clearwater. The trip was 188 miles and made Clear water at around 1130. Fryedaze and Elizabear communicated at the top of the hour along the trip check up to see if everything was going well.
   Bets and I had a little anxiety about an over night run 45 miles off the nearest coast. When the sun finally went down it was black out on the Gulf. The stars were amazing. Without the light of cities and clear skies you cane see more stars than back on shore. The moon came up at around 11 PM. This reduced the view of stars but added more visibility of the surrounding water.
   Bets and I traded off three hour shifts at the helm. We were so excited in the beginning that we didn't sleep on our off watch time. After midnight we did get some needed sleep while off watch.
All in all it was an incredible experience that we will remember when we cant remember anymore:-). It was pretty cool coming into the Clearwater marina and meeting up with the Loopers who had finished the trip in the last two days.