Overnight Gulf Crossing | Right call? | Great Loop
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 03. 2023
- This is it! The BIG crossing! We chose to go overnight from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs with a group of boats. See what we encountered out there in this week's video and see if we made the right call on this one.
These guys crossed with us:
Stay Cool: • Great Loop #57 The Gul... We are in some of their video so definitely watch it!
The Boomershines: / @theboomershines
Work we did on the boat to prepare: • We got boat parts! | ...
Here are links to some of the stuff we used to prepare the boat for this long crossing:
Racor T-handle gauge with drag needle: amzn.to/3XmXEft
Racor Filters: amzn.to/3lsFtr7
Oil Change Pump: amzn.to/3xcoaNP
15W40 Engine Oil: amzn.to/3YDoYaf (yes, I bought it on Amazon for delivery)
SAE30 ZF Transmission Oil: amzn.to/3jUjYz4
Oil sample pump: amzn.to/3xeIKgq (we used Blackstone for our analysis)
Bilge Blower: amzn.to/3DTyG08
Mantus Anchor Hook: amzn.to/3DVmYSA (You won't be disappointed!)
Our chain is 5/16" - order the size that fits your chain.
If you’re new here, please subscribe and check out our story at onFIREfamily.com
Other stuff we like:
Our Great Loop Wall Map: amzn.to/3C5egiA
First book we read: amzn.to/35nZhV9
We like this book: amzn.to/3442GaS
Also this book: amzn.to/3HAt3Tq
How we made this video: amzn.to/32zlMlD
What is the Great Loop? onfirefamily.com/great-loop/
Music: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
“This video contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them, and make a purchase I’ll receive a commission.“ - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Really powerful to have a women’s shift with videos. Shows how much all of you trust each other and share your faith. I’ve followed your journey from the beginning and it’s been inspiring.
Thank you so much. This comment means a lot to us.
If you ever have to do shift’s again 5&5 are much easier than 3
Yeah, I’m sure that would have resulted in us being much more well rested! Thanks for the tip.
Absolutely beautiful to see the family praying 🙏 together and for a safe Crossing 🚸!! I to have been with you since the sale of your vessel out west.. safe travels and 🙏
Scott and FuzzyNugget the traveling Cat
Thank you so much!
Fanatic.
This was your BEST video. So great. Enjoyed it the whole way. Felt like I was part of the trip. Best best best. Congrats.
Thank you so much. It’s comments like this that keep the videos coming despite the hours of work that goes into them. Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice family nice video..🤙🏻all the best
Thanks!
Good as your videos are, this one is a step above the usual excellence! Great video, thanks for sharing
We really appreciate this comment. Thank you! We put a lot of extra effort into this one and we’re glad you noticed! Hopefully more good stuff to come!
Great episode. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. We appreciate you watching!
Riveting... Im so glad ya'll documented this and often wondered about the crossing. I am and sure others are glad everyone made it safe, Cheers!
We’re glad our video was enjoyable. Thanks!
On good Friday today I wish you a blessed Easter
Glad you made it safely. Nice job. Best of luck to you.
Thanks 👍
Loved this video! You have helped quell some of my trepidation about this route. It looks doable. Thank you for sharing your strategy and experience.
Glad it was helpful! With some careful planning and good weather resources it is very doable.
Excellent work by the crew!
Thanks!
I always enjoy Gulf Crossing videos, thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
Very exciting
It was! Heading your way! Get ready for a coastal visit late April or so. Looking forward to seeing you guys!
You guys are getting better at making videos. Love you guys.
Thanks! By the time we’re done with this trip maybe we’ll be pretty good! 😀
Great video! Enjoy watching your videos. It's inspirational
Thank you! Glad you enjoy them!
Wow your best episode to date. Probably your longest as well. I think I noticed your white starting to Glow gold at the 5 p.m. shift. Hope it's a sign of good things to come. It was great seeing "seashine" in your background at the end.
I watched both of your families boat shopping. At one point I didn't believe either family was going to be able to find a vessel. I just turned on a good friend to your journey. This episode will be perfect for him to start watching your family.
Thanks! Yes, it was a tough year to be boat shopping but it all really came together. It was awesome to cross with Seashine.
Excellent video!! I'm glad you made it safely, and I knew you could do it!! 🛥 The smiles on your faces said it all 😊😊😊😊🐕
Thanks Gregg! Lots of smiles all around!
BTW, nearly all of the tugboats I operated during my career had line cutters on the shafts and props. We don't have them on "AbundantLee Blessed." Yet! 😁
Its all gods will, i presume?
@@robvanderveen3578 Yes, definitely it is God's will 🙏🙏
This was so interesting and informative, thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I had a Blenheim Cav named Ollie (mom was Bella!)... .Best dogs EVER!!!!!!!
She is an awesome boat dog!
So fun to re-live this and see how it went on your boat! Great video and SeaSHINE sure loved crossing with you! Thank YOU for everything you did to help our crossing. xoxo (and so glad we had an uneventful docking behind you LOL)
Thanks! Is was so awesome things lined up to cross with you under such amazing conditions! Such a truly memorable night!
GOD bless you and your family
Thank you. That means a lot to us.
Great video!!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great info!!’ Like very meaningful details.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice Job!
Thank you! Cheers!
Ha! Your boy was yawning before yall even started your shifts. Was wondering if he would last. 😂
Love it
Yeah, he was a trooper as long as he could!
Fire Family, Playlist is on point!!!
Thanks!
THANKS!
You're welcome!
First time viewer and new subscriber. Love watching big water crossings. Loved your content. Keep up your great work.
Thank you so much and welcome to the channel!
Good job on the crossing and vid. We had similar conditions on our crossing, fairly calm seas and full moon. I will say we weren’t nearly as organized. Our group just agreed on a depart time and that was it. We went to Clearwater instead of TS. at about 9 knots. 180 miles in 18 hours. We waited in Carrabelle for 5 days and although I liked it there next time I am going use your plan and wait in PCB for a window.
PCB was an excellent spot to wait. We only spent one night in Carrabelle and, nothing against the town, that was enough for us. Apalachicola was better but not our favorite either. I feel for the folks who get “stuck” there waiting on a weather window to cross.
just found your channe; amd now i knowwhat im going to bingeforthe next 2 weeks hahaha
Ha ha! Yeah, you have some catching up to do!
Hey Jen, nice sweater. The crab pots are still there. Waiting on another weather break in St. Pete and should leave tomorrow. May take in a few minutes at the Indy Car Series race which is tomorrow. We got here Thursday and NOISE from 9-6. Sounds like a bazillion bees. Thanks. D.
Nice! Safe travels and see you soon-ish!
great vid
Thanks!
First time viewer here from Clearwater. Love the boat and the video, just one comment though. I'm 59 and have spent most of my life on the gulf waters between Tampa Bay and Tarpon Springs. It sounds to me like someone has you convinced that crab pots are as dangerous as bombs! Yes, I suppose it's possible you could catch a rope in your prop, but very unlikely. I can't tell you how many hundred we have hit over the years! For example, during Kingfish tournaments you have a few hundred boats trolling through thousands of pots! During these tournaments it's usually pretty rough so you can't see them many times till it's too late. Your bow will just push them clear of your prop. I don't remember anyone who actually caught one. You're much more likely to snag one in reverse, so be careful there. But there really isn't much to worry about while underway! If I ruined a fun thing in looking out for them, then I do apologize. 😉
Thanks! We appreciate the comment. We’ve heard of other loopers getting them wrapped around their props so maybe we have outsized fear of that.
@@onFIREfamily
I get it, safety comes first! I just didn't want to see crab pots causing stress! They cause enough for tournament fishermen who are fighting a Kingfish that
could be a winner that's worth $50K to $100K only to have it get cut off by a crab pot!
Playing it safe!
Yes. Safe always pays off!
Great video! Wait until you guys get up into the Chesapeake Crab Pots pretty much everywhere.
Yikes! Well, at least we’ll
Be pro’s at spotting them now!
Actually seeing the sun dip under the horizon was incredible, but I didn't see a green flash! Guess it doesn't come through cameras...
We’ve kept our eyes open for the green flash every time we get a chance!
When we were younger, we always made the jump across, even going from Clearwater to Pensacola on occasion. But, now, in my sixties, I'm am a firm believer in the daylight only, Clearwater to Crystal River, Crystal River to Steinhatchie, Steinhatchie to Carrabelle way of getting across. I've just hit too much debris at night. Funny, I was watching your video, thinking, wait a minute, that was about the time I was in Carrabelle at C-Quarters. And, in your video, I see my truck parked there in the parking lot for just a second!
Thanks for the comment, Ralph! Funny you were able to spot your truck! Interesting you’ve encountered debris on the crossing. Other than the crab pots close in, we haven’t heard of much trouble with that. A great warning to others, I suppose!
@@onFIREfamily , no debris that ever sunk the boat. The worst one was what look like a board from a shipping pallet that the prop managed to imbed itself in one night (we wondered if we had hit that whole pallet that was just all that was left) the funny thing was it sliced into the wood from the edge a good 2 inches, and although there was no permanent damage, it was really hard to get off! In memory is right, it took us like half an hour to get this thing off in the middle of the night bobbing like a cork, LOL! And, yeah the crab pot floats are a pain at night when you can't dodge them. We have cut a few of those out of the running gear!
This is my first visit to your adventures. What's your ride? A Fairline? Kinda rare but I don't recognize the glimpse I got of her lines.
A 2001 Cruisers Yachts 4450. We were looking for a 3 stateroom boat for our family and this model packs a whole lot into 45ft. Glad you found us!
If you didn't eat at the Fisherman's Wife you lose!. I always cross from Carabelle to Clearwater at night... the Gulf usually sleeps at night. Usually hit the Clearwwater Bridge at Sun up. My boat is quite a bit larger than yours, so I can't turn to Clearwater Marina after the bridge but continue on to the ICW before turning to port. Crab pots are everywhere, be vigilant.
We did! We had a lovely birthday dinner there for a fellow looper. Yeah, the crab pots are no joke.
I'm curious if the Stay Cool was the boat in front of you. We are watching their videos as well.
Yes, they are. If you watch their crossing video you catch some glimpses of us!
You can't just make a backing in seem like it was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy... lol
You could always go for a traditional watch pattern:
Forenoon - 0800 to 1200
Afternoon - 1200 to 1600
First Dog - 1600 to 1800
Second Dog - 1800 to 2000
First - 2000 to 0000
Middle - 0000 to 0400
Morning - 0400 to 0800
We’re not pro’s but that sounds pretty reasonable!
The Chesapeake Bay is one big crab pot mine field...
We will keep a sharp watch. So far, we’ve not caught one but know many who have…
Well done! Good planning, good preparation, excellent crew. Happy the seas stayed relatively calm and a full moon helped you maintain vision of the waters around you. Surprised you got salt spray on your windshield heading into moderate seas at low speed -- have you found Witness to be a wet boat?
The isinglass over the low windshield must be a hassle -- I had a boat with isinglass making up the entire windshield and disliked it intensely. It became almost opaque when covered with salt spray and there was no windshield wiper to clear rain off it. Running through busy New York City waters in a downpour was much more stressful due to hampered visibility through isinglass.
Enjoyed sharing the trip with you -- fine video.
Thanks! Generally, the Cruisers 4450 is pretty dry. We weren’t taking any waves over the bow, just wind picking up some spray I guess. I really dislike the transition from glass to isenglass. It’s in an awkward spot. If you sit, glass. If you stand, isenglass (or open air). I’d invest in higher quality strata glass that didn’t roll but snapped up or zipped off if this were our forever boat.
Plenty of Chitter Chatter!
Sure!
For those who may be wondering why you want to verify your radar imaging when the "mk1 Eyeball" is at 100% it is to make sure that you know what you're seeing on the radar screen when the eyeball is at 0/0.
Possibly the only group that are believers more than those in foxholes are those who venture into deep water. Doesn't matter if you're military or not, all it takes is seeing IN PERSON, Mother Nature in a hissy fit to know that you better start praying! For me, it was taking "green water" onto the flight deck of a Forrestal class carrier.
Congratulations on your longest passage on the Loop! Unless you decide to sidetrack to the Bahama's, this _should_ have been your longest trek between ports/marinas!
We are novices at radar but knew enough to use it effectively. It’s definitely our longest passage (but stay tuned for our crossing to Key West and our trip over to the Bahamas. Some long days lately!
Wow IGA! I didn't think they still existed.
I know, right? 😂
Most electronics have a setting to lock the clock to one time zone. People like me who live in the boarder of two time zones usually keep ours locked. Otherwise your phone will change time every time you walk across the house as it hits the another tower. Its usually set to the time zone of the , nearest big city, where you work, or where your school is. So two people in the same house may be using two diffrent times. We get around the problems this creates because of slang names for the time zones. If I ask someone what time it is, they will say something like 5:30 fast time or 4:30 slow time. These mean the exact same time. Fast time being eastern time an slow time being central time. Birthday partys or christmas dinner are all given in times with this discriptor at the end. It sounds complicated but its not. If your clock is set to fast time an you are given an apointment in fast time, you change nothing. If you are given an apointment in slow time, you add one hour. The reason its simpler than it sounds is because you never change your time on your phone so you alway add one hour if given a time in slow time. Slow time people always use slow time an always subtract an hour when given a time in fast time. You do it without thinking which is way better than never knowing what time your phone is showing.
The navy does something like that on ships as I understand it. They have ship time. Subs commonly use Greenwich meantime for their whole deployment. Ships can use that, their home base time or check an change times once a day based on the captain. But every clock on board is set to the same time an if changed, done by hand once a day. With the exception of the navigator an radio room. They have a second clock always set to local time for communicating with other ships.
When I travel, my phone is still kept locked on Eastern time. Its easier to keep up if I do the conversion myself. If my phone is doing it, I am always second guessing it. Has it updated or not? Its hard to know unless you have it locked. Though one clock you never change an one that is changed by hand as you cross time zones would also work well. More work but less confusion once you get use to it. An you always know at a glance what time it is where you are an at home if you want to call home.
Thanks! Living right between time zones must be challenge! At least for us it was one night! Now, we get to navigate daylight savings change…
Good job! Were you able to wash down your windshield before you arrived? Do you have a fresh water washdown for the anchor you could have sprayed? Even unzipping the canvas panel above and tossing a bucket of water on the windshield might help. It makes me nervous to see a big cloud of muck coming up when you maneuver into your slip. Must not be much depth there. I guess it's pretty flat and soft on the bottom in FL.
Thanks! No, we didn’t wash down before we arrived. We were afraid of making an even bigger mess and decreasing visibility even more. We don’t have an anchor wash down (sea water OR fresh) but we have options if needed. YES, we churned up some mud but we were still showing over a foot under our props as we came in. Just loose mud I suppose.
great job and routines. tips and crossing. what the fuel burn at 7.5 knts your rpm at that speed... I see most going 20+knts.
At 7knts (8mph), we get 1.8statute miles per gallon at 950rpm. This crossing was a little less efficient as we ran around 1100rpm to match the other boats.
We have a GB’s 42 and did this trip 2 years ago but the other way. We went from Clearwater to Steinhatchee, then the next day to Apalachicola. We didn’t want to do the overnight cruising as my wife had no experience with boating. Great video. Since the cost of diesel has gone up so much I now cruise on one engine at 8 to 9 knots….the fuel economy is fantastic now…..have you tried that yet?
Cool! No, we haven’t tried running on a single engine. We do run at 7kts (8mph) most of the time to save diesel. It’s about half the consumption of running 10mph so we’re very happy there.
@@onFIREfamily with both engines at 8 knots I burn 7 to 8 gals per hour, at the same speed on one engine I burn 3.5 gals per hour. Of course I use both engines in and out of the marina or in and out of an inlet……..I have CAT 3208’s, 375 hp turbos……I also run on one for 4 hours then change to the other for 4…….
What are the "crab pods" he keeps talking about? Guessing that some crab nets that could get stuck in the prop??? Maybe?
Why don't you have lighting rigged for RED so your night vision stays intact? I would not operate a vessel at night without adequate night vision; also 1 nautical mile separation for formation cruising is kind of tight IMHO. I made quite a few night surface underways on 2 fast attack submarines and proper vision was essential. The porpoises & dolphins were just the Best; also ran into schools of flying fish while transitting to our dive point from Charleston, SC.
We dimmed all the screens and the lights were only on for filming (otherwise we kept it as dark as we could). If we did more of this sort of thing, red lights for sure.
You should seriously consider adding line cutters to you propeller shafts. They have saved me numerous times.
Glad to see Stay Cool and Sea Shine in you flotilla. I’ve followed both for quite awhile. I am planning to meet Malcom and Rachel in the Bahamas in a couple of weeks.
Maybe I’ll even get a chance to meet you guys on the Eastern Seaboard or on the Erie Canal. Keep an eye out for “Mist Opprtunities” 😃😃
We will keep an eye out for you! It would be great to connect along our journey!
Where does the dog go poo? Looked a several youtubers to follow on there journey, I will be following ya'll. Thanks for posting the videos.
We have some fake turf on the bow that she regularly uses.
@@onFIREfamily lol. That's great, I love it. I will have to use that. Thank you much.
Apologize for not reading all the comments...but, in the dark, how do you deal with the potential for floating debris such as logs, errant containers, anything that might damage the hull or prop?
Radar for big objects should do well. Search light for anything else.
Glad it went well for you all. Really enjoy all your videos.
1’ seas, with 2’ swells?!!
Who are these people? 😂😂
This was my first time viewing one of your videos.
I think I made my mind up to subscribe when you had your prayer. Then I noticed the name of your boat and channel!
I will be watching all your videos. Perhaps a good dose of binge viewing is in order.
Hello from St.Louis Missouri.
Thank you so much for your kind words and welcome to the channel!
Awesome video. Why 1 mile spacing?
That’s just what our group decided. Some captains wanted more, others wanted less. 1 mile made sense to me and allowed easy radar circle monitoring of the boat before and after me.
Out of curiosity, what was the book on tape?
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley (it’s the 4th in a series).
Where are you now? We are in Tavernier...
440 Endeavor Sea The Light
St. Augustine now.
Are the crab pots that abundant & dangerous?
Yes! If you get one wrapped around a prop on a twin engine boat you can limp in. Single engine and you’re dead in the water. You can dive it with a knife or call for a tow.
What vessel are you in? Are you using an autopilot? great video!
It’s a 2001 Cruisers Yachts 4450. Yes, we have auto pilot and although it is capable of automatically following waypoints, we simply set a heading manually and lock it in, occasionally making adjustments by a degree or two here and there.
@@onFIREfamily very nice. Thank you for the reply-following your journey as we plan for ours in a few years! Godspeed.
What was your speed for the crossing?
8knots or 9.6mph is what our group decided. There was a faster group and a slower group that night as well. Our normal speed is 7knots (8mph).
😃
👍
Weather permitted there is no wrong time to boat
Absolutely.
Wouldn't it be better to be rigged for red at night to save your night vision.
If you routinely pilot at night, yes. This was our one and only non daylight passage.
How long have you homeschooled the kids?
This is our eighth year so transitioning it to the boat was relatively easy compared to some families who decide to do this trip and have never homeschooled before.
I dont know if it was the right call.
Everybody has to make their own decision! Some choose daylight only, others the 3-day Big Bend. Overnight has always been our preference and we’re glad we waited for such an amazing night!
@@onFIREfamily i never watched, you asked a question, i answered, l never watch anything asking questions, just block channel
They are worried about hitting crab pots at 5 mph?!! Such novices!😂
I’ve seen several of your posts. Chill dude. Anyone reading your posts is laughing at you, not them.
I guess I’m too experienced at blue water boating to be able to tolerate this guy. I drive my 38’ Formula from Point Pleasant NJ to Nantucket 3 or 4 times a summer alone. I usually cruise at 35-40 knots. Never a problem with lobster pots. But then again I’m not an idiot.
your self assessment seems a little off
I can feel my intellect getting sucked out of me as I watch and listen to these people!
doesn't sound like there was much to be sucked out in the first place
You probably have never been out on a boat.
Can they go any slower?
Please! Tilt the steering wheel down!
They check the engines every hour?!!!
What buffoons!!!
OMG! Enough with the crab pots!!!
Who are these people?