For you previous EC challengers...what's your plan with a 15-25 mph SE wind from Tuesday on... Hopefully forecast is off as usual but curious as to others plans...planning on doing www so maybe alittle better but mainly concerned with last leg across the bay...obviously I'll try to push as far as possible when conditions are favorable....
Wind forecast looks like S$$$ after day 3....what's your plan?
(28 posts) (15 voices)-
SaltySack wrote:
My concern is the open water Fl bay.. On a sup your body acts like a sail so it compounds the problem and you can't really take a rest or you'll go backwards....
In 2012, my wife and I paddled our sailing canoe (lots of windage, but not quite as bad as a SUP...) across Florida Bay into a brutal E wind. If we stopped paddling, we would go backwards. For a good amount of time we were making less than 1 MPH (two paddlers!) But... we made it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdCgU1L28gQ
What helps, is that there are a few spots you can get out of the wind a rest, such as Bouy Key and Dump Keys. During our crossing, those were our incrimental targets. Of course, in a pinch, just jam your paddle into the bottom and hold onto it :)
Posted 5 years ago # -
SaltySack
MemberDWM...I pulled various locations along the route i.e. Naples, Marco island etc.
Mac....I watched all your videos and do remember that one....I guess I forgot it's that shallow all the way out. I've only paddled the area a few miles out of flamingo..did lose a croc in that muck!Posted 5 years ago # -
I enjoyed the videos again, Macatawa. Those are the ones that got us inspired for our first Michigan Challenge and EC.
Posted 5 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberHell the forecast sucks from day 1, looking at Accuweather starting at St. Pete on Saturday and then looking at Key Largo on wednesday/thursday.
This could be a tough one boys and girls. Lock and load.
I always knew my incredible good luck I've had on the 340 races and the '13 EC would come and bite me in the ass someday.
Joe
Posted 5 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberNOAA forecasts for the entire EC route.
EC Section 1 Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM (GMZ853)
EC Section 2 Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM (GMZ856)
Coastal Waters Forecast for Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound (GMZ836)
EC Section 3 Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL out 20 NM (GMZ656)
EC Section 4 East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 NM (GMZ657)
EC Florida Bay including Blackwater and Buttonwood Sounds (GMZ031)
Posted 5 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberNOAA live weather stations/bouys with wind speed/direction, arrayed north-south along the course. Unfortunately there are some big gaps with no bouys between Venice and Naples and again between Naples and East Cape Sable.
NDBC - Middle of Tampa Bay - Station MTBF1
NDBC - Venice Pier - Station VENF1
NDBC - Naples Beach Station NPSF1
Station NFBF1 - NFB - Northwest Florida Bay, FL This one off the tip of East Cape has not produced any data since about January 16. Maybe they'll fix it in the next couple of days?
Posted 5 years ago # -
The forecast for Saturday is probably starting to get some reliability.
I wouldnt get worried yet. The weather models beyond a few days are just not reliable.
Salty, take the shallow route through the bay. You can sit down on the board and rest with a paddle in the mud. The waves dont get bad in 2 ft of water with only a few inches between the surface and the grass that grows from the bottom.
As far as mitigating wind resistance and chop in the bay, do you think it would help to sit on the board and paddle with a kayak paddle? I have a paddle you can borrow.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Looked at extended forecast. The predicted strong south winds are still too far out to be accurate. Might not happen.
Posted 5 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterMac, great video
For paddlers lots of motivation to get to CP2 in 3 days or less. Then deal with the wind while enjoying the Wilderness Waterway. Just think how light the bugs will be! Unofficial weather hold party at CP3 Thursday evening in the shelter by the takeout ramp. BYOB :-) Cross Florida Bay early Friday morning after the front has moved through.
Posted 5 years ago # -
danceswithmullet
MemberWe all enjoy/suffer the same weather. If it were the same every year it would become boring. Throwing a little extra misery in makes the finish that much better. So if is light the first day we sailors get to do stump in the dark, keeps it intersting. The only real drawback is light air seems to cause a big jam up at Cp1. DWM
Posted 5 years ago # -
Some of the bays can be choppy. Whitewater Bay is notorious for getting choppy because of its long north south fetch. The wind can really get in your face as it is channelled through the rivers by the mangroves too. It will be a factor, but nothing to worry about like sitting out on the Gulf in steep, short wave period 6 footers.
Posted 5 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberKnotSynced wrote:
Some of the bays can be choppy. Whitewater Bay is notorious for getting choppy because of its long north south fetch. The wind can really get in your face as it is channelled through the rivers by the mangroves too. It will be a factor, but nothing to worry about like sitting out on the Gulf in steep, short wave period 6 footers.
We had those 6 footers on the nose in 2012 for only about 10 miles. Not fun, but it gets the adrenalin going. I sure hope not to see them for 50 miles this year. Hard on the boat, hard on the crew.
Posted 5 years ago # -
SaltwaterJunkie
MemberSaltySack wrote:
How protected is the www during a S-SW wind???....seems like most bigger bays are north to south.... Curious as to those who experienced it during a stiff southerly blow.....
There's Joe River. But you'll probably have to paddle Oyster Bay in a headwind to get there.
Posted 5 years ago # -
NorthernLight
MemberAnother of our "great moments in film" was when we got blown into a small back bay and couldn't paddle out against the wind. It was a good time for a nap. Big Lostmans Bay I think?
Loved Joe River. We detoured out of Whitewater Bay and ended up experiencing one of the best paddle moments of the trip.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I'm still trying to make my plan.
In more than ten knots of wind, my skiff is no fun but my Adventure Island is fun.
In less than ten knots of wind, my Adventure Island is no fun but my skiff is fun.
Forecast for tomorrow that I'm seeing is ten knots.
Yeah, but is that with a plus or a minus?
I'm going to leave around 5:30 in the morning so today I have to hook something to the truck.
So what's your guess for the mouth of Tampa Bay tomorrow morning? 10 as in 5-10 or 10 as in 10-15?
Posted 5 years ago # -
I've used it to watch the EC in years past and I enjoy it. I get pics like this one:
The answer to your question is because the powerboat can go 27 knots, making the Anna Maria Sound/Passage Key area pretty small.
What it can't do is go those speeds if there are waves.
I'm betting there will be wind and waves so I'm bringing the AI.
And the waterproof camera...
Posted 5 years ago #
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