Great Loop: Holidays Over - Let's Go!

We took a break from Looping and flew home to see family for the holidays.  It was great to visit with kids and grandkids.  All were doing fine.  We've had our final round of hugs and are now back on board Amy Marie to complete preparations for getting underway.  After 3 weeks off the water we are restless to get going.  The sea and distant ports are calling and we are ready to continue our adventure.  Of course the big question is what route are we going to take to the Tarpon Springs area from the panhandle.  Their are two options.

Option 1: The direct route

With this option you depart Carabelle and follow a direct course to Tarpon Springs.  You have to have a range of 200 miles with reserves and this is an overnight passage of 18-20 hours.  The "pros" are you only need one day of good weather to complete and it minimizes your interaction with crab pots.  The big negative is that it is an overnight passage and you have to stand watches with a crew of only two.  

Option 2:  The Rim Route

 With this option you harbor hop around the "armpit" of Florida from Carabelle to Steinhatchee, to Cedar Key, to Tarpon Springs.  All of these legs can be completed in daylight hours.  The big downside is you have 120 miles of crab pots to dodge.  Additionally, you need 3 days of good weather rather than 1. You also have to select a day which doesn't have beam seas, from the south, for the transit to Steinhatchee.

We still have to make a decision on which route we are going to follow.  The direct route is the most popular.

 

The New Helm Seat

Those preparations include  routine maintenance, upgrades, and some minor repairs.  For example, we ordered and installed a new helm seat.  The old one just didn't have sufficient cush for our tushes.  We installed a high back Tempress Navistyle  helm seat.  It fit and still allows us to tilt the chair to create additional counter space.

Fuel Filters

We changed the fuel filters and installed a new bolt latch on the transom door.  We also reviewed everything on board to remove those items which we did not expect to use.  We did achieve a measure of decluttering.  With chores winding up, we expect to resume our travels tomorrow.  Can't wait!