Baltimore, MD to West Palm Beach area

trebbel

Member
Feb 13, 2007
152
Bowleys Quarters, MD
Boat Info
1999 400DB
Engines
CAT 3116TA
I have talked about taking the boat South for as long as I can remember. A few months ago we were having the same conversation about doing this 'someday'. My Admiral told me to put up or shut up.

We are taking the boat to Florida this winter. The plan is to leave Baltimore on Friday after Thanksgiving and be in the WPB area by December 3. For the trip down I will have a crew of myself and 3 guys, all (reasonably) proficient boaters. Our plan is to get there quickly but also have fun and an amazing experience.

I am interested in starting a dialogue to discuss:
1. Spares to carry on board
2. Stops along the way
3. Marina recommendations in WPB area
4. Advice/Suggestions

I am beyond excited and more than a little nervous. Stage 2 of this adventure is in March when we come back to the boat as a family and hopefully get to explore the Bahamas.
 
After all the hurricanes, I would look for a marina first. There may be a severe shortage of availability. This is a great trip, don't rush it, a lot to see along the way. There are many great stops.
 
Todd,

Even without the hurricane variable in the picture, the nicer marinas in South Fla book up early and a fair % of the slips are taken by owners who winter every year in Fla and book their slips a year ahead. I'd start there and now........
 
Please start a thread if you do the trip with info. I'd love to follow your adventure.
I'm not interested in Florida, but I'm half considering running the boat next winter to either Charleston or some other suitable place in SC. Like you, I'd look to leave right after Thanksgiving and return in April.
Direct flight fares from here in NY to either Charleston or Savannah are really cheap if you have flexibility in travel dates
The idea would be to dock the boat down there and fly down for a week or two every month.
We love Charleston, and if we go further south we have friends who recently bought a house in Blufton (20 minutes from Savannah airport) and they plan to spend a good part of the winters there starting next year.
 
At that time of year, you have short days and variable weather. It's a 5 day trip if you run from first light til twilight at cruise speed, and can run outside from Beaufort NC to PB. If weather is bad, the ICW can take an extra day or two. I find it best to let conditions dictate and always have a plan B and C. Always know where the safe inlets are, and never be tied to a firm schedule.

Baseline itinerary:
Day 1 Baltimore to Norfolk (Tidewater)
Day 2 to Beaufort NC (town dock) (+/- 11 hours) or stop after +/- 4 hours in Coinjock, for the famous prime rib and do
Coinjock to Beaufort the next day.
Beaufort to Charleston (mega dock)
Charleston to St Augustine (city Marina)
St Augustine to PB

There are some good choices in the West Palm and Riviera Beach area. You need to decide your budget and how close you want to be to town, restaurants, the inlet, and beaches.
 
Todd,

Wonderful trip!!! Best wishes and it will all work out. Jealous, so I am going to hold you to a couple of beers and a recap when I see you on the island once the trip is done.

I have nothing of value to add as I can only live through others that do it and share their adventure here. I would suspect you won't have any issues and already have enough spares on board to handle 5-7 days of cruising.

Take Care!!
 
Todd,

We plan to leave probably Monday after Thanksgiving headed back to KW till mid April and you need to line up your marina asap as stated before they fill up early. We stop and see friends along the way and don't plan on being there till 12/15 as we're in no hurry. It's about the journey as much if not more than the destination as lots of good stops along the way.

If, when you wind up inside with all the snow birds the trip can slow down considerably giving trawlers & blow boats slow passes or you might meet unfrenidlies along the way! They can have a cow when they see a SR coming up behind them so make friends not enemies as ya never know where you'll meet them again!

Have a safe trip and we will keep a look out for yaalong the way.
 
A couple of notes about St. Augustine:
• If you decide to drop hook in the anchorage on the north side of the Bridge of Lions, know that the fort fires its cannons for the tourists pretty early in the AM, and it's loud as hell in the anchorage;
• Due to constant shoaling in the inlet, the channel markers are not on the chart - and they do move them. I was in and out of there 3 times over a year and a half, and I entered the markers in my chartplotter - over a year and a half they didn't move. Then one day I was coming in with a strong east wind and steep following sea, and the markers were not where my chartplotter said they should be - they had been moved. I almost put a 54' sailboat on the beach that day!
 
Note on St. Augustine about the shoaling.

Contact the City Marina. They maintain a PDF which shows current location of the temporary markers which they will email.

I have also called Towboat US. Most of the day they have a boat lingering around the inlet. They can update any last minute changes and provide guidance. I have had them offer to come over and lead us through.

Mark
 
Even though CG moves the buoys from time to time, the inlet is well marked.
 
I like Palm harbor marina - it is very secure and right across from citywalk.....but it is very expensive - Sailfish marina is right on the inlet and has a pool - you can also walk to the beach from there....those are the only 2 I have experience with in PB.......Just curious, why did you settle on PB - have you considered Ft Lauderdale - more flight options (seem to be cheaper too) and even more marina options....As far as the Bahamas in March......still can be a tough time to cross the stream - really need to pick your window and look ahead to getting back too......Keep us updated with your plans and progress!
 
If you change your mind and don’t want to run your boat back North, I can do it for you. USCG 100 Ton Master, 40 Years experience running up and down the east coast. PM me if you need help. Reasonable rates, professional service.

Bow Tie
 
Done it from Annapolis.... If you plan on rushing it, which I don't suggest, you should look into just shipping it down. That is a bit late and will prob. be pretty cold... I left beginning of Nov. and the only thing I would change regarding my trip would have been to leave in Oct....
 

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