Gulf of Mexico Big Bend in a Marlin 300

[RealAdventure]

First, Hi all. New to the forum and new owner of a 2022 Marlin 300.
Wanted to get advice on running the boat from Carrabelle FL to Clearwater (about 167 miles ) or running the Big Bend ( in hops )… plan is to run all the way to Bimini. Is this too aggressive for a small boat?

 

[family affair]

IMO no, it is not too aggressive, but it is all relative. People have gone much further with much less. If this is your 1st voyage beyond a day trip, then I would say it is a bad idea. I would 1st try a 2-3 day trip to work out the bugs and rethink your priorities and expectations. After doing so, you might want more, or be glad you never went.
Regardless, keep us posted!

 

[luckydude]

I recently did a tuna trip in my 22 foot boat. 73 miles offshore, 160 miles total run. So it can be done, you should be fine in your Marlin.

That said, tell us about your level of experience. The question I ask is are you to the point that if there is any unusual sound, do you stop and instantly track that down? If not, you aren't ready for offshore. That needs to be instinctive.

 

[Krcook]

The boat is more than capable, however it’s a lot of run time.

I have a 06 marlin, frequently fish 75miles offshore NY. 75 out, troll all day 75 in.

What you need to think about is sea condition / weather. Are you familiar with how to get that information?

How experienced are you? Is this your first boat?

 

[g0tagrip]

First let me say it is very doable in a Marlin. My wife and I did it in our Marlin. We started out from Panama City Beach, ran to Apalachicola, spent the night there (we had a late start from PCB, another story). We intended to run from there to Clearwater Beach, but the weather/winds did not cooperate, and we ran the intercoastal to Carrabelle. Spent two nights there waiting for fair winds. We ran from there to Clearwater Beach.
My recommendation is prepare your boat, do all the maintenance you have coming up hours wise, have spares you may need (fuel/water separators, fuel filters, oil, ring free), safety gear etc., our trip was fun with no worries. We went on to Marco Island, spent the night there and on to Islamorada for a couple months. Great trip. Enjoy!

 

[RealAdventure]

First, I have to say how much I really like this forum. It is filled with people who do their homework and ask the right questions. Seems like the answer is , the Marlin is fine, how’s the captain‘s experience? So I was more worried about the boat. As for the captain… 30 years boating experience inland waters and rivers and coastal navigation (Gulf of Mexico). I recently got my MMC Captain’s and with experience Qualified for 100 ton - again inland waters. I can address most mechanicals with tools, time and parts. The boat has about 300 hours on engines and I just had a 100 hour service completed. I have spare fuel filters and tanks are clean (but I have them anyway). I do get seasick (who dosen’t in 6‘s and 10’s)… so I’ll watch the weather, likely will hire a meteorologist (like loopers do) for the crossings (GOM and Gulf Stream). As mentioned, we won’t only do the BB, but also run around and go to the Bahamas. It’s me, wife and dog - friend will also accompany in a Pursuit 345. We’ve done long trips by boat, but this one is different. Also was thinking about taking our larger boat on this trip for years, but after getting the Marlin, we think it is faster and better for a quick trip. Also cost goes way down. ( all that said, I am interested in gathering thoughts from others who have the boat or have done the trip in the boat or both… because regardless of experience, I do not know everything … or should I say “anything” about this trip, because I haven’t done it a few times. )

I really appreciate and value all thoughts and advice that this forum might offer. (@g0tagrip, what‘a “ring free”?)

 

[luckydude]

Ring free is a yamaha additive to gas, supposed to prevent carbon build up.

 

[Doc Stressor]

Assuming you are planning a trip from May to September and find a good weather window for the Bimini crossing, that trip is easy in your boat. I've run from Tarpon Springs to the Keys and the Dry Tortugas a couple of times in my 22' Gradys. And back in the days before Loran and GPS, I made a run from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in a 21' Renkin using a radio direction finder and a compass.

You need to pick your days of course, but much of that trip can be run inside if the seas are rough. The run from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs is a nice day trip of about 150 miles. Just punch in the numbers for Marker #4 north of Anclote Key. There should be no obstructions on that route since you will be offshore of the rock piles off of Crystal River to Hudson. The next day's destination could be Boca Grande. We usually overnighted at Cabbage Key, which is really cool place.

You can get to the East Coast by taking Okeechobee Waterway from Fort Myers to Stuart if you want to save a lot of time and fuel: https://www.offshoreblue.com/cruise/okeechobee.php

Alternatively, you spend the night at a marina in Everglades City and head down to Marathon or Islamorada and take the intercoastal to Miami or whatever East Coast port you would like to depart from to Bimini. Crossing the Gulf Stream requires nice weather but it is no big deal if you are properly equipped.

 

[RealAdventure]

Assuming you are planning a trip from May to September and find a good weather window for the Bimini crossing, that trip is easy in your boat. I've run from Tarpon Springs to the Keys and the Dry Tortugas a couple of times in my 22' Gradys. And back in the days before Loran and GPS, I made a run from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in a 21' Renkin using a radio direction finder and a compass.

You need to pick your days of course, but much of that trip can be run inside if the seas are rough. The run from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs is a nice day trip of about 150 miles. Just punch in the numbers for Marker #4 north of Anclote Key. There should be no obstructions on that route since you will be offshore of the rock piles off of Crystal River to Hudson. The next day's destination could be Boca Grande. We usually overnighted at Cabbage Key, which is really cool place.

You can get to the East Coast by taking Okeechobee Waterway from Fort Myers to Stuart if you want to save a lot of time and fuel: https://www.offshoreblue.com/cruise/okeechobee.php

Alternatively, you spend the night at a marina in Everglades City and head down to Marathon or Islamorada and take the intercoastal to Miami or whatever East Coast port you would like to depart from to Bimini. Crossing the Gulf Stream requires nice weather but it is no big deal if you are properly equipped.

Great information. We plan to do this in April. Weather is the biggest concern… happy to hear thoughts on April vs. May…September

 

[Hookup1]

Weather in April can still be iffy for a Gulfstream crossing. You need to be careful and pick your days and be prepared to wait it out in both directions.

I have not run the bay from the West Coast down to Marathon but it is my understanding there are good routes. I would do this instead of running down to Key West. From Marathon you can work your way up to Miami area on the bay side or Hawks Channel and then make the crossing to Bimini. This would be an easier trip.