Advice on Doing the Big Bend Crossing, West Florida Northern Gulf Region
Here is very good advice about the Gulf crossing called Big Bend from our friends on the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association’s Forum. For more on the Big Bend region from Claiborne himself, see /?p=105951
I hope for you all at Joe Wheeler right now that you are encouraged to NOT do the Big Bend in one overnight as most do. Go to Crystal River, Steinhatchie, etc places, especially if you draw 4′ or less even though we know of 5′ drafts that do it all the time. You will be glad you did. Of course it is dicey getting in and out somewhat, but you’ve already been tougher places to navigate on the loop for most at this juncture. Swim with the manatees at Crystal River at least.
John and Sue Winter
And from our friends, Chuck Baier and Susan Landry:
A good suggestion. We have been in and out of the rivers mentioned and enjoyed every one visited. Although the approach channels were indeed long, we never found getting into the rivers “dicey”. As a matter of fact, it was
much easier than many other places we have visited. The only caution is to watch depths after strong north and east winds have been blowing for a few days. We plan to return to the St. Marks, Steinhatchee, Withlacoochee and
Crystal River on our return trip south, which we plan to begin at the end of October.
Chuck and Susan
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To Crystal River’s Entrance Channel
Comments from Cruisers (4)
We have crossed the gulf several times. We are unable to do the ‘straight across thing’ because we do not have sufficient range. We usually make an intermediate stop in Steinhatchee.
Once we added another stop at Crystal River, otherwise we went directly from Steinhatchee to Tarpon Springs (our boat can go fast if it wants to).
Here are some facts to help you with your decision.
Carrabelle to Steinhatchee is 85 miles. We leave Carrabelle before dawn. (This is not a problem as the buoys are lighted. We make a note of the route on the way in.)
Steinhatchee to Crystal River is 94 miles, again leave as soon as you can make out daymark 45 from your slip.
Crystal River to Tarpon Springs is 75 miles.
Depending on the tide, Crystal River may be too shallow for 4.5 foot draft. So an anchorage on Cross Florida Greenway is a deep water alternative.
Steinhatchee to Anchorage is 90 miles.
Anchorage to Tarpon Springs is 75 miles.
Author, Great Loop Navigation Notes
I have crossed the area a number of times, but the weather windows we were dealing with were never long enough to allow a short visit (say two nights) into any of the mentioned ports. If you don’t mind being trapped in these places for a number of days, even up to a week or more, ducking into them is a great idea. However, after waiting for periods up to a week or more for a weather window, we didn’t find ourselves interested in getting stuck waiting out another frontal passage.
I sail out of the Carrabelle area, and I have sailed across the Big Bend many times in the last few years. Contrary to advice of hopping the shallow coastline, I find it more enjoyable to do a direct overnight crossing. I mostly prefer the Carrabelle to Clearwater route for the simplicity and safe easy access to anchorages or facilities. In Clearwater, I prefer the public beach marina or the anchorage just east of it. Carrabelle, while lesser know, has many nice marinas, but the area offers many wonderful anchorages: one in the Carrabelle River harbor with easy town access or several out on Dog Island in pristine locations(Shipping Cove or Tyson’s Harbor). It is best to approach Carrabelle via the East Pass inlet. It is a naturally deep inlet (+20′) that is well marked.
I draw a bit less than five feet and would not consider going into these ports. The approach channels are LONG at 5 kts. and the flats are shallow. Do not even consider Shell Point unless you have local knowledge plus there are zero services there. St. Marks is a safe port with services but again, a very long channel. If you have the time and the draft, go for it.