AboutCapt Lou Expertise I can answer questions about boat buying, crusing destinations along the East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys, powerboat operation, powerboat accessories, yacht club membership, commercial fishing, boating laws, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the history of Boston Harbor Islands National Park.
Experience Hosted "Nautical Talk Radio" for 14 years, a weekly, hour long program on WATD 95.9FM in Massachusetts and host of "Nautical Talk" on WPRO 630AM for 2 years. Have cruised from Maine to the Florida Keys and have owned outboard and inboard powerboats since 1976.
Organizations Metropolitan Yacht Club 1980 - Present (1992 Commodore)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1204 1980 - 2004
Save The Harbor Save The Bay (Boston)
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
Quincy Bay Race Week
Mass Boating and Yacht Club Association
Commodores Club of America
Boat Writers International
Boat U/S
Mass Striped Bass Association
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
Awards and Honors Articles about "Nautical Talk Radio" have appeared in National Fisherman Magazine, Power and Motoryacht Magazine, Yachting Magazine, Soundings Boating Newspaper, Offshore Magazine, and the Coast Guard's N'Oreaster Magazine.
Winner of The Best Interview Of The Year Award (1995) in Boston radio presented by Achievement In Radio (A.I.R.) and sponsored by Ford Motor Company and the March of Dimes. Finalist in 1996 and 1999 for Best Interview of The Year Award presented by A.I.R. Finalist for Boston's Best Locally Produced Public Affairs Radio Program (1997) presented by A.I.R.
WINNER OF MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND ASSOCIATED PRESS ?BEST TALK SHOW? - 2003
RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION?S LEN HADLEY PRESERVATION AWARD - 2002
RECIPIENT OF JOSHUA JAMES LIFESAVER MEDAL FROM PT ALLERTON COAST GUARD COMMANDER - 2003
Expert: Capt Lou Date: 5/12/2007 Subject: Delivering a Boat FL to MA in July
Question Perhaps this is a dumb question since many seek advice on a course based upon enjoyment and vacationing. I am seeking advice on a trip based upon speed and safety. The boat is a seaworthy steel 46' trawler with single Detroit 350HP. With that said, she cruises at a comfortable 8kts that allows the most efficient fuel/mileage burn. The boat is in Ft. Pierce, FL and I'd like to do the ICW for 1 to 2 days checking equipment and then head offshore making a straight line passage for the outer cape around the outside into P-Town. Does that sound like a reasonable course to chart? I have never made the trip. I am just trying to run the boat 24hrs so that is why I am going outside and a direct run to the outer Cape puts me offshore a great distance which may subject me to more weather. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Answer You do not state the draft of the boat, but I will assume it is less than 6 feet. Most of the ICW is 6 feet, and that is where you will want to stay (with few exceptions) to Norfolk, Virginia. From Norfolk it will be all ocean running, and at 8 knots, you will be running at night. You can head in a straight line from Atlantic City, NJ to Block Island, RI. Then Block Island to Provincetown.
By the way, I would run in the ocean from Ft Pierce, but I understand you want to check out the boat. I would run outside from St. Augustine or Jacksonville or Fernandina Beach to Charleston, SC. by passing all of Georgia which has 8 - 10 foot tides. Then from Charleston, stay in the ICW to Norfolk, VA. The distance actually might be shorter in the ICW than going around Cape Hatteras. I have only gone around Cape Hatteras once, and will not do it again, although it wasn't summertime when I did it!
Have a safe trip and let me know how you make out!
Capt Lou
Listen to the live broadcast of "Nautical Talk Radio" with Capt Lou and crew, Sunday mornings from 11 - 12 noon (Boston time) on radio station 95.9FM WATD in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and around the world on www.nauticaltalk.com. You can also listen to the most recent show anytime during the week at www.nauticaltalk.com.
* Winner of Mass/Rhode Island Associated Press "BEST TALK SHOW"
* Recipient of Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for public service
* Recipient of American Lighthouse Foundation's "LEN HADLEY AWARD"
* Winner of Boston's Achievement In Radio "BEST INTERVIEW" AWARD
* Nominated Boston's A.I.R. "BEST PRODUCED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM"
