This area looks like it could be confusing

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by LongShort

From Weirs Beach I find that going through the lighted red and black marker by Pitchwood is actually faster than going through the NWZ even though the distance is greater. Of course on a weekend it gets really crazy in that area and I would probably go through the NWZ from Weirs but even that becomes a little hectic.

Even on weekends you can generally just cruise on the Pitchwood route, most folks going that way know the route well and keep right/stay on-plane. There's the occasional boater that lacks courtesy and goes right down the middle at plowing speed, but that is not as common as it used to be before GPS became popular on boats.

I when I go through there, I adjust my speed long before I enter the area to time my passage such that I avoid passing side by side at the choke point between FL44 and the closest black-topped spar.

It's amazing how few people go the Pitchwood route at night. If you leave the Weirs Beach fireworks with everyone else, almost no one goes that way. FL44 makes it really easy since you can head right for FL44 from anywhere west of FL1 without danger of hitting any rocks.