Here's a pic of the Moorings Marina in Carabelle Fla. To cross the Gulf,, most recreational boaters leave either from Apalachacola or Carabelle and cruise across to either the Tampa Bay area (170 miles), or to a shorter destination which requires a second hop to Tampa area. We've crossed from both Apalachacola and Carabell to Steinhatthache a distance of about 120 miles. The next hop from Steinhattche to Tarpon Springs is another 120 miles..
Carabelle is a quaint "old Florida" town that is the home of the Moorings Marina. A beautiful area with out the high rise buildings that have taken over the Florida beaches elsewhere. Always file a float plan with the Marina before leaving.
Just a short trip up the river to the marina is rewarded by the friendly management who are eager to give advice on the weather and other crossing info.
Carabelle is probably the only town in the USA whose
police station was a telephone booth.
When leaving the shore you see Dog Island over your shoulder if you left through the proper cut.
The cut between Dog and St George Isles is the beginning of the trip when leaving Carabelle. When leaving Apalachacola, one must go thru the tricky narrow Gov. cut that many boaters prefer to avoid. This plus the fact that Carabelle is about 10 miles less distance makes the Carabelle the preferred departing port.
Distance from Carabelle to Tampa Bay is about 170 miles and is usually run over night. The determining factor in planning is one must leave and arrive in daylight to avoid hitting crab traps. They are with in 20 miles off both shores. Also, when going to Tarpon Springs you shouldn't arrive too early in the morning as the sun coming up will make it very difficult to navigate in to the Ancelote river at the Greek island..
Moorings Marina office and store as we came in from our last crossing. Our third and last crossing was east to west when bringing our "Great Escape" home to St. Louis.
Our "Great Escape" at the dock. (she really wants to get back in salt water)
Sponge diving boat at dock on Ancelote river in Tarpon Springs.
Pelican in the afternoon on the Gulf...We were warned by the Coast Guard on the marine radio that 12 to 16 forty foot Grey Whales were "lurking" in the area that we were going to cruise through. JoAnn and I wondered why they said lurking. Its bad enough to have some anxiety when out of site of land for 6 to 7 hours, but to be told something will be lurking in the area??? Really???
View from the initial berth of our "Great Escape" when we took possession of her in Ft. Lauderdale Fla. on New River.
Leaving the dock for the first time in our new to us boat on the voyage home to St. Louis Mo in the fall of 2009 .
JoAnn with our daughter Robin on fly bridge of "Great Escape".
Going north on the ICW to the Palm Beach area on Lake Worth passing many multimillion dollar houses .
Eleven bridges had to open for us between Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach on our way. ( Some on demand as you arrive and some at set scheduled times )
"Great Escape" in its slip at the dock at "Sail Fish Marina" in Palm Beach Shores. My goal to be either "on the hook" or safely at a dock by 4:30 PM with a glass of wine was met. We left our spot in paradise on New River at 7:30 AM.
A view off the back of our boat on a perfect day later in the trip. (see blog "Crossing Okeechobee")
JoAnn and me bringing a perfect day to an end at "Sail Fish Marina" restaurant. Our choice of this marina was influenced by memories of our "honey moon" some fifty years ago when we stayed in the Palm Beach Shores area. The marina is a short walk to the beach and many memories. 
