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: 8/30/2007 Subject: NC to FL trip
Question I am planning a trip to FL this fall. My plan is to move the boat over a few long weekends from Bald Head Island to Stuart. My plan, weather permitting, would be to run outside. I cruise at 24kts and I am prepared to run 10-12hrs/day. What would be your suggested stops/layovers and what inlets do you prefer to run?
Thanks,
Mike
Answer Ahoy!
Thanks for your question!
You do not mention the size of your boat or its fuel tank capacity, but based on the speed and time that you do mention, I will assume that you have the capability to cruise about 160 miles per day (20 mph for 8 hours)in calm seas. Remember, the days in the fall get shorter, and you need to allow at least an hour for fueling, checking the oil, and docking.
Here are two important points of knowledge:
1) Sometimes staying inside on the ICW is shorter than running the inlets in and out of ocean.
2) Georgia has 8 and 9 foot tidal range, so at some point in the day you will be navigating when it is low tide. Try to bypass Georgia on the outside!
So here is how I would go while having some fun too:
1st day) Bald Head Island (mile marker 305) to McClellensville (mile Marker 430) on the inside.
TOTAL DISTANCE 125 MILES
2nd day) McClellensville to Beaufort or Hilton Head (mile marker 540) on the inside.
TOTAL DISTANCE 110 MILES
3rd day) Beaufort, SC to Fernandina Beach (mile marker 715) on the outside.
TOTAL DISTANCE 175 MILES
4th day) Fernandina Beach to St Augustine (on the outside) and then St Augustine to Daytona Beach (mile marker 850) on the inside.
TOTAL DISTANCE 135 MILES
5th day) Daytona Beach to Stuart (mile marker 960) on the inside.
TOTAL DISTANCE 110 MILES
Bon voyage, and let me know how you make out.
Capt Lou
Other all weather inlets are: Charleston
Savannah
Jacksonville
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"
