Dry Tortuga's here we come

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SmokyMtnGrady

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Tomorrow, July 22,we head out to the Dry Tortuga's for a 3 day trip. Seas are about 2 feet and falling through Monday. It is going to be hot and we are camping at the Fort. I envy my big boat brethren who go there with AC...lol. If I ever figure out how to post pictures here , I will put a couple up.
 
Have a great trip! Lobster sport season starts on the 27th for two days, so it will be busy nearer to Key West. We're running our 330 down there for lobster and fishing next week, probably around Marquesas. Weather looks to be nearly ideal. Fair winds and following seas to you!
 
Bill, we will be in Key Largo til Sunday July 31. I wish I had your boat. Lol. Fair winds and tight lines to you as well.
 
SmokyMtnGrady,

If you can't figure out how to post pics, send them to me and I will post them for you.

Have a great safe trip!
 
Here is a quick trip report. Seas going were in our favor ran over at 30knots. We had a nice time exploring the fort and Loggerhead Key. It was a bit hot for camping but we managed.

This morning a severe storm squall line came roaring through though slowly at sunrise. A sailboat moored in the harbor was struck by lightning. Winds kicked up to around 15 knots or so and crossing Rebecca Shoals was snotty. Glad I had a full curtains otherwise I would have been soaked. We ran about 20 knots . I am in the Keys all week. I met a guy from here and the Hull Truth in his Express 330. I suck at remembering names. I wish I had that 330 this morning. Lol.
 
Bob. I'm guessing 15 knots implies seas of 2-4? That's some bumpy running for a long way! Guessing you're back in the Keys and I hope you and the family are having a great time.

You may have more open-ocean cruising time on a 22 than anyone I know. Can't wait to see the pictures!

Rob
 
Rob,
I did not get out and measure them..lol. I do take the boat places and take measured risks, I think. I carry two of everything essential that I need or can replace. For instance I broke my antenna on an overhead beam at the dock. I did not have a second antenna but I had two handheld VHF.

The boat is not invincible and I got *stuck* in the Abacos due to weather. I suppose I could get stuck in worse places.

Crossing Rebecca Shoals coming home was bad but the seas were predictable after I got use to how the boat needed to be run . There was a sweet spot as it were. We were never unsafe.

I felt unsafe running out of Sebastian Inlet a couple years ago. It was an out going tide with 15 knot East wind. Standing waves in the mouth of the inlet around 5 feet or so. Once I committed I knew I was outside until tide changed or winds fell. That was some crazy stuff right there.
 
SmokyMtnGrady said:
Here is a quick trip report. Seas going were in our favor ran over at 30knots. We had a nice time exploring the fort and Loggerhead Key. It was a bit hot for camping but we managed.

This morning a severe storm squall line came roaring through though slowly at sunrise. A sailboat moored in the harbor was struck by lightning. Winds kicked up to around 15 knots or so and crossing Rebecca Shoals was snotty. Glad I had a full curtains otherwise I would have been soaked. We ran about 20 knots . I am in the Keys all week. I met a guy from here and the Hull Truth in his Express 330. I suck at remembering names. I wish I had that 330 this morning. Lol.[/quote

Hey Bob -

It's Jeff (330 Express mentioned above) & yes, that storm was a bitch!! We pulled anchor at 6:45 am and were drifting (fortunately away from everyone & everything) at 1.5 mph. We got our act together and pulled back into the harbor to find that the same had happened to the other two small boats that were anchored. I have Serius weather radar - we watched that storm cell sit directly overhead for more than an hour. There was one open slip but it was too windy to try to pull in, so the three boats sat there trying to keep our bows into the wind and avoid the other boats and the dock.

That lightening strike felt like it was about 10' from us, closest I've been to a strike. Two hours later we were back fishing in mild choppy conditions.
Click to expand...
 
I don't know if everyone has this APP and obviously it would only work in an area with cell. The APP is called Drag Queen---sounds a little sketchy, but works great if you have cell.
 
Jeff - I figured it might have been you who met Bob when he mentioned a guy who keeps his 330 in the Keys.

The Keys weather has been weird for a couple weeks now....talked to a number of people who really fought it during mini season last week.
 
Brian,
We were down there during Miniseason but not to lobster. The weather was in favor of the lobster that is for sure. Bad morning Thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday.

Jeff, it was a pleasure meeting you face to face. Rebecca Shoals was more than choppy..lol. fishing was off in my opinion but we enjoyed our time anyways. I made a Hull Truth observation with Jeff. If you read it long enough you would think I was lucky not to have my boat literally rot from under my feet on the way over. With that said I was in need of bridge clearance info on my boat and I noticed Grady has officially gone composite . So, going forward their boats should be really solid.
 
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