Boynton Beach Inlet and Boca Raton Inlet

[45Gunner]

I used to know all the inlets in South Florida like the back of my hand but I am recently back into boating after a 25 + years hiatus. Both inlets can be tricky and before I utilize them I would like to pick people's brains on "local knowledge" factors of both inlets. I would be appreciative of any tips you can share for me. TIA.

 

[susanandlance]

I used to know all the inlets in South Florida like the back of my hand but I am recently back into boating after a 25 + years hiatus. Both inlets can be tricky and before I utilize them I would like to pick people's brains on "local knowledge" factors of both inlets. I would be appreciative of any tips you can share for me. TIA.

Try posting this in the Southeast forum, I can only tell you about Port Everglades Inlet in Ft Lauderdale

 

[ENstig8or]

I keep my little boat down there near the Boynton Inlet. It has a fixed bridge which has 18 feet of clearance. I would imagine your Sundancer would fit but would watch the antennas. The inlet is very narrow and can get rough. That being said, I don't find it that difficult as long as you know the wind and weather beforehand. I run my 21 SPX out of it on the calmer days.
I have only been out of the Boca inlet once on somebody else's boat. From what I remember it can be narrow there also but that bridge opens and it has a decent clearance even when closed.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Go on THT for the latest - I was at the Boca inlet in Feb - on the way out the bar is right in front of you so after clearing the south jetty you turn hard to starboard and run parallel to the beach

 

[45Gunner]

Over the last week I spoke with two SeaTow Captains that routinely run both inlets. They mentioned that if I run the Boynton Inlet and there is traffic, the possibility of my boat going up and down with the wakes could cause me to hit the bridge. To avoid that, I could go out/in at low tide but at low tide there may not be enough water to clear the sandbar. We collectively agreed that I should avoid Boynton Inlet. Boca Inlet is back dredging. Bigger boats should stay close to the southern edge going in or out. Leaving the inlet calls for a 90 degree turn to parallel the beach until abeam the lifeguard stand before turning east. One other thing they suggested, for bigger boats using Boca Inlet, utilize it at mid to high tide otherwise use Hillsboro Inlet or Lake Worth Inlet.

 

[ttmott]

Over the last week I spoke with two SeaTow Captains that routinely run both inlets. They mentioned that if I run the Boynton Inlet and there is traffic, the possibility of my boat going up and down with the wakes could cause me to hit the bridge. To avoid that, I could go out/in at low tide but at low tide there may not be enough water to clear the sandbar. We collectively agreed that I should avoid Boynton Inlet. Boca Inlet is back dredging. Bigger boats should stay close to the southern edge going in or out. Leaving the inlet calls for a 90 degree turn to parallel the beach until abeam the lifeguard stand before turning east. One other thing they suggested, for bigger boats using Boca Inlet, utilize it at mid to high tide otherwise use Hillsboro Inlet or Lake Worth Inlet.

45Gunner - I've been in and out of all of the Fl inlets sans Jax and Matanzas (only small fishing boats in and out of Matanzas). I always plan the narrow passages in slack tide which is my advice.

 

[45Gunner]

45Gunner - I've been in and out of all of the Fl inlets sans Jax and Matanzas (only small fishing boats in and out of Matanzas). I always plan the narrow passages in slack tide which is my advice.

If only that were a frequent occurrence here in South Florida.