finally coming out of florida to NC

mquiet

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2009
1,500
North carolina
Boat Info
1999 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Caterpillar 3196
Calling all CSR ICW members. Well the day in finally here and we are going to be transitioning from FL on Sunday to NC. Could I get some help from you all with areas of difficulty traversing and local knowledge. My goal is to go outside after daytona/Jacksonville and skip GA, but it will al depend on weather. I will update as I go along and I hope you all could help me by telling me what to watch and helpful hints along the way.

I want to thank you all in advance for all your help, and I promise to post pictures once we complete our run.

Matt
 
Matt,

This sounds exciting - can't wait to hear the details.

Keep us posted.

Mark
 
Arrives this morning at 4:30am. Going to provision the boat today and head out Sunday. Hoping to make Daytona in the afternoon.


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It's going to be a tad breezy here in GA Sunday and Monday. If running the ICW in GA, time Hells Gate for mid to high tide.
 
It's going to be a tad breezy here in GA Sunday and Monday. If running the ICW in GA, time Hells Gate for mid to high tide.
Marker 19 at Jekyll Island is also a bear at low tide. I almost grounded there a few months ago. Deeper water was to the starboard side of the channel for northbound.
 
Based on the forecast, I would consider making the "crossing" on Mon, instead of Sun. NNE at 15-20 kts predicted wind with 3'-4' head on seas, I can see how this could easily be very bumpy ride with 4-5' and occasional 6'ers chop close together. Not fun for 150-200NM run.

You best window of opportunity (based on the forecast I see) is jump out Mon 5-6am and it'll be a lake compare to Sun. During Sun/Mon night, the wind makes almost 180* shift from NNE to SW. By the time (late afternoon) you arrive to SC coast, you'll be in protected waters before wind picks up. Even when it starts to blow, it'll be on your stern (port quarter), which is MUCH better than head on seas.

Shoot for Charleston, but keep Hilton Head as your bailout point (in case if it gets uncomfortable). From HH you have nice 82NM ICW run to Charleston.

Feel free to ask specific questions.

Good luck and safe travels.

P.S.
Keep in mind that CSR notifications stopped working, so we don't get instant updates to subscribed threads. If you need fast response, PM and get emails and cell #s from members who can assist. I'll be happy to share my info, if you need it.
 
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Based on the forecast, I would consider making the "crossing" on Mon, instead of Sun. NNE at 15-20 kts predicted wind with 3'-4' head on seas, I can see how this could easily be very bumpy ride with 4-5' and occasional 6'ers chop close together. Not fun for 150-200NM run.
......

Alex is correct... I can confirm coming out of JAX to Hilton Head in these conditions.... Not fun....Actually, it was sort of fun. But, I was convinced if someone else was with me that day, they wouldn't get back aboard....

I'd listen to Alex unless you plan on going real slow. And, even then.....

--edit--

I want to also say that the forecast was for 2' out of the N 10 kts..
 
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Today(Sunday). Went from West Palm to Titusville in the ICW. Based on forecast I'm going to stay inside tomorrow and see if I can put in another 125-50 miles. Today was 135.


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Thinking about going outside from Fernandina and coming back in at St Simons sound Ga. Is that a good inlet to come back in


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Thinking about going outside from Fernandina and coming back in at St Simons sound Ga. Is that a good inlet to come back in


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The "out" and then "in" is an investment in time going laterally. 10-15 miles worth each time. Any reason you couldn't go further north to maximize the investment? Say to Hilton Head.
 
Thinking about going outside from Fernandina and coming back in at St Simons sound Ga. Is that a good inlet to come back in


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St Simons is super easy inlet. IMO, just like Charleston, it belongs to class A inlets. Very well marked wide and deep. Based on my experience, I would avoid ICW between St. Aug and Brunshwick. It's definitely doable, but there are several shallow spots (in the middle of the channel). You better study all the hazard markers on Active Captain, or have iPad with blue Chart integrated with AC showing you everything on the fly. On my way south, there was 55-60'er new Flemming grounded closer to the edge of the channel. To avoid the issues there, go on mid/high tide and go SLOW (idle speed), at least near the troubled spots.

I'm guessing that you'll be shooting for Brunswick Landing Marina. On the way there, stop by Ocean Petrolium and take advantage of the cheapest fuel in the area.

If you're going on the outside between Tuitisville and St. Simons Sound inlet, you have much better chance covering it one day. Via ICW, you're most likely looking at 1.5-2 days run. Tuitisville to St. Augustine 88NM, St. Aug to Ocean Petrolium 88NM.
 
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St Simons is super easy inlet. IMO, just like Charleston, it belongs to class A inlets. Very well marked wide and deep. Based on my experience, I would avoid ICW between St. Aug and Brunshwick. It's definitely doable, but there are several shallow spots (in the middle of the channel). You better study all the hazard markers on Active Captain, or have iPad with blue Chart integrated with AC showing you everything on the fly. On my way south, there was 55-60'er new Flemming grounded closer to the edge of the channel. To avoid the issues there, go on mid/high tide and go SLOW (idle speed), at least near the troubled spots.

I'm guessing that you'll be shooting for Brunswick Landing Marina. On the way there, stop by Ocean Petrolium and take advantage of the cheapest fuel in the area.

If you're going on the outside between Tuitisville and St. Simons Sound inlet, you have much better chance covering it one day. Via ICW, you're most likely looking at 1.5-2 days run. Tuitisville to St. Augustine 88NM, St. Aug to Ocean Petrolium 88NM.
I ran the ICW from St. Aug to St. Simon at low tide at the end of January. I ran into two trouble spots. One just south of Fernandina and the aforementioned Jekyll Island spot. Everything else was just fine. From St. Aug to Fernandina its very slow due to no-wake zones and bridges. Took me 5 hours just to go those 61 miles. From Fernandina to St. Simon its 40 miles and I did that in 2 1/2 hours. Was on plane most of that entire stretch. So, it could take a day to do that stretch and you'll knock off the lower end of your goal by traveling just over 100 miles.

After that I went outside because the conditions were ripe for it and I would have been going through Hell Gate at low tide, which I had to avoid. Going out the St. Simon Sound was super easy as Alex said, although for northbound it pushes you back a bit further south before you clear the outer marker.
 
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Today I made it to Palm cove marina. Just south of Jacksonville.. Honking of outside tomorrow to savannah GA? Thoughts?


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Today I made it to Palm cove marina. Just south of Jacksonville.. Honking of outside tomorrow to savannah GA? Thoughts?


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Wave height along GA/SC coast looks really favorable for tomorrow on PassageWeather. I used that site to make my next day decision and it was spot on both times.
 
Not much difference in travel time to the entrance to Savannah and Harbor town at Hilton Head.

Thinking Hilton Head is less East/West travel. If you do go into Harbor Town, call the dockmaster. She can give you the route to cut over from the channel at Tybee Roads. Last fall I left Harbor Town, cut over to Tybee channel followed that out and then turned south.

Had no issues, plenty of water, but was glad I had gathered "local knowledge".


I have never been to Savannah by boat, so no direct personal experience cruising up the river. But it looks like to make it to Savannah you have a fair amount of travel up the channel dodging container ships. Very busy container port.

Just a thought,

Mark
 
How is your fuel consumption so far? - are you above or below -- or right on - what you expected.

Are you having fun and enjoying this move?
 

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