Leg #4 - Making the "Crossing" Carrabelle to Clearwater, Florida

Long day yesterday. Just under 11 hours underway and gained a whopping 78.2 nautical miles.

The day started out great with beautiful weather as we got underway. I was able to secure a boat slip on my first attempt. Happy dance!!! All was quiet through the narrows and as we took to open water it was a bit more windy and waves were 2-4'. It's amazing how you can see so much water around you and yet you need to stay in this very narrow channel which averaged 12' in depth. Outside of the channel was averaging 2'. No room for error.

We arrived in Carrabelle about 7:30 (back on eastern time) and right away had a problem with on of the heads which kept the men down below for hours. Emergency diverted and we had dinner onboard followed by on land showers and bed by midnight, making for a very long day.

Today we plan to make our "Crossing". We will leave early this afternoon after Glen and Ant work on some electronic projects and begin our 18+ over night hour journey across and down the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully without incidence and arrive in Clearwater during daylight hour to avoid the crab pots.

Narrow channel between Panama City and Apalachicola.

Entry to Carrabelle.