I am thinking of moving a 17 Ft. Boston Whaler from Panama City to Tarpon Springs. I will need to do it over a 3 day period. It looks to me to be about 180 miles. The boat cruises at 25 MHP, so, I figure it could be done in less than 8 hours in good weather on a straight shot. Leave by 7 AM, tie up in Tarpon Springs by 3 PM.
I am not familiar with the Bend Bend area, so was wondering what you think about someone trying this, assuming good weather, of course. I am not opposed to going along the coast line and even spending a night along the way, if it is safer to follow the coast line.
I know the boat won't sink, so assuming I don't run out of gas, don't fall off and keep heading Southeast, it should work. I'll have 2 GPS.
What do you think?
Thanks
Panama City to Tarpon Springs Single Hand - Crazy Idea???
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Panama City to Tarpon Springs Single Hand - Crazy Idea???
Slip sliding away.........
According to Mapsource Bluechart, it's 231 miles from Panama City To Tarpon Springs, on a straight shot. If you followed the coast line, it's a little over 300 miles. The average outboard rig gets about 2.5 to 3 miles per gallon.
I don't know what your fuel capacity is. But I would calculate conservatively, and think you would need to plan 2, or 3 fuel stops, with overnight accomodations.
You could take 2 or 3 5 gallon cans of extra gas, and a couppe of gallons of oil. I would also invest in an EPERB. Take lots of food and water.
If you attempt it, watch the weather, especially the wind direction, and go for it during a very good weather window.
I don't know what your fuel capacity is. But I would calculate conservatively, and think you would need to plan 2, or 3 fuel stops, with overnight accomodations.
You could take 2 or 3 5 gallon cans of extra gas, and a couppe of gallons of oil. I would also invest in an EPERB. Take lots of food and water.
If you attempt it, watch the weather, especially the wind direction, and go for it during a very good weather window.
Last edited by tin can on April 27th, 2005, 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
What was I supposed to do today?
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arcadiainc
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PC to Tarpon Springs
You can spend the night in Suwannee. They used to have several water front motels. I guess they still do. I would stay off the coast about one-two miles. Watch the dept finder and keep enough water under you. It will become more of a problem the closer to Tarpon Springs you get. Take plenty of fuel. Use the Intercoastal if possible. Get some good charts. Would be an interesting trip. I would love to make the trip. Am planning a similar trip from St Marks to Tarpon.
Re: Panama City to Tarpon Springs Single Hand - Crazy Idea??
I think if you have to ask the way you have you don't have the experience or knowledge to make the trip. A straight shot is ridiculous for that whaler, with a single motor, by yourself, unless you have a death wish. If you were lucky and packed enough gas, plus got perfect weather, you might make it, but that would prove the old saying that: "God must love idiots, he made so many of them".Slider wrote:I am thinking of moving a 17 Ft. Boston Whaler from Panama City to Tarpon Springs. I will need to do it over a 3 day period. It looks to me to be about 180 miles. The boat cruises at 25 MHP, so, I figure it could be done in less than 8 hours in good weather on a straight shot. Leave by 7 AM, tie up in Tarpon Springs by 3 PM.
I am not familiar with the Bend Bend area, so was wondering what you think about someone trying this, assuming good weather, of course. I am not opposed to going along the coast line and even spending a night along the way, if it is safer to follow the coast line.
I know the boat won't sink, so assuming I don't run out of gas, don't fall off and keep heading Southeast, it should work. I'll have 2 GPS.
What do you think?Thanks
You could consider a coast line trip, but there are big gas stop gaps between St. Marks and points south, so you would have to buy maps and charts first and plan where you would get gas. I have done the trip both straight shot and along the Coast. Straight shot was in a 60' boat with a licensed captain, along the coast took several days by small boat and we had "ground support".
An experienced (and I am talking trained and experienced) boater, to make even the coast trip, would need a fixed mount VHF, a handheld VHF, a fixed mount GPS plus a handheld, plus an EPIRB, at least, and excellent charts and planning. Ground support that could bail you out, if the weather turned bad, would also help. Personally, I think YOU should drive. I think I would.
EJ
My common sense says NO 
but the adventurer in me says GO FOR IT 
If you do go for it, you need to have the location of all ports of entry in your GPS along the route "in case you need to get inshore fast", plenty of water and spare fuses for everything, as well as all of the safety equipment 
With the unpredictability of weather, there's no way I'd take that small of a boat on a strait shot 
but the adventurer in me says GO FOR IT If you do go for it, you need to have the location of all ports of entry in your GPS along the route "in case you need to get inshore fast", plenty of water and spare fuses for everything, as well as all of the safety equipment With the unpredictability of weather, there's no way I'd take that small of a boat on a strait shot “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
When I was dolphin fishing in the Keys a couple of years ago, our Captain told us one of his friends just got back from Cuba. Seems he had a girlfriend there, got drunk in a bar one night, decided he missed her, so he loaded up and went.
His mode of transportation? A 17' Boston Whaler, and a bunch of extra gas cans.
I would not take the straight shot, too much of a risk. Just because the boat is "unsinkable" doesn't mean it won't capsize.
If you just have to do this, heed the above advice. Stay close to shore, and PLAN WISELY. I think if you choose a safe route, and play the weather right you should be ok (providing you're an experienced boater).
Good luck if you decide to go, and use your head.
His mode of transportation? A 17' Boston Whaler, and a bunch of extra gas cans.
I would not take the straight shot, too much of a risk. Just because the boat is "unsinkable" doesn't mean it won't capsize.
If you just have to do this, heed the above advice. Stay close to shore, and PLAN WISELY. I think if you choose a safe route, and play the weather right you should be ok (providing you're an experienced boater).
Good luck if you decide to go, and use your head.
Like TC said, with the addition of filing a float plan with the US Coast Guard, and check in with them on a regularly scheduled basis during the (straight-line) voyage. The straight shot plan would take you an average of 70 miles offshore and right over the edge of the "middle grounds". (Too far for offshore for my 17' boat) Like wevans said,
A 17' boat that small carrying two 35 gallon tanks of gas would add additional 420 pounds weight to the boat, + 6lbs per gallon for the on-board tank. Does your engine burn only premium ? With additional weight for food, ice and water and safety gear, that would add an additional 250lbs. I believe the boat would ride somewhat "Low" in the water until you burned off at least 1/2 the fuel on board. The additional weight would also cut into your gas mileage even on glass smooth seas with the wind at your back.
It would be allot cheaper-&-safer to pull it behind a truck.
My common sense says NO but the adventurer in me says GO FOR IT
A 17' boat that small carrying two 35 gallon tanks of gas would add additional 420 pounds weight to the boat, + 6lbs per gallon for the on-board tank. Does your engine burn only premium ? With additional weight for food, ice and water and safety gear, that would add an additional 250lbs. I believe the boat would ride somewhat "Low" in the water until you burned off at least 1/2 the fuel on board. The additional weight would also cut into your gas mileage even on glass smooth seas with the wind at your back.
It would be allot cheaper-&-safer to pull it behind a truck.
Time is the most precious commodity we have in life, stay focused.
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Frank Bradfield
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To me the question is "Do you think you can do it?" I know I could, with preperation, as most of us could. Is it more practible than trailoring? NO. More exciting? YES. Only down side I see of your plan is the 17' boat, just sold 1 and they can feel small in rough water,but then again u don't have a larger boat that needs moving 
. So if you looking for some adventure go for it, if its simple logistics trailor.
. So if you looking for some adventure go for it, if its simple logistics trailor.
Panama City to Carrablle will take 3 hours running the ICW Fill up at the Moorings then Head around buoy 26 then 24 then 22 then 20 and head into Steinhatchee for more fuel and rest for the first leg.
Next leg depart Steinhatchee in the a.m. and head for tarpon springs about 75 miles or so south (guessing on the distance for this leg. I would plan on a 2 day minimum with a 4 day reality.
Make a float plan and file it with a trusted sole.
If you cruise at 21 MPH (18.5 knts) you will need 15 hours of running time @ 21mph to cover 300 miles. If you get 3 miles to the gallon, you will need 100 gallons plus reserve. You can probably only carry 40 gallons at best.
I understand the boat is "unsinkable" But so was the Kayak the boys recently died from out of the Tarpon Springs area. All you need is a little slip hit your head become unconcious and then you end up dead. Not ever a smart idea to go solo over a long distance with questionable logic and experience.
-Capt. Kamen Miller (me) has recovered 3 people from offshore waters in 2.5 years. I have seen some bad judgement calls. The gulf isn't like other things (Don't do it just because it's there)
Next leg depart Steinhatchee in the a.m. and head for tarpon springs about 75 miles or so south (guessing on the distance for this leg. I would plan on a 2 day minimum with a 4 day reality.
Make a float plan and file it with a trusted sole.
If you cruise at 21 MPH (18.5 knts) you will need 15 hours of running time @ 21mph to cover 300 miles. If you get 3 miles to the gallon, you will need 100 gallons plus reserve. You can probably only carry 40 gallons at best.
I understand the boat is "unsinkable" But so was the Kayak the boys recently died from out of the Tarpon Springs area. All you need is a little slip hit your head become unconcious and then you end up dead. Not ever a smart idea to go solo over a long distance with questionable logic and experience.
-Capt. Kamen Miller (me) has recovered 3 people from offshore waters in 2.5 years. I have seen some bad judgement calls. The gulf isn't like other things (Don't do it just because it's there)