St. Augustine to Ft. Pierce route recommendations requested

[ZZ13]

We will be spending Jan and Feb in Ft.Pierce. Last year we spent January in St. Augustine. So I have the Beaufort, SC to St. Augustine plan down. But I have never been south of there. Any recommendations for the route from St. Augustine to Ft. Pierce? Such as ICW or offshore, overnight locations, number of days to get there, etc. We prefer to stay at marinas, rather than on the hook.

 

[FootballFan]

Wide friendly inlet.

 

[ttmott]

Except for the locks at Cape Canaveral the inlets can be a bit challenging. I've been through all of them many times. Off shore is off shore and no doubt the most expeditions route but this time of year it can kick up pretty big. I prefer the IC and the sights but if time is of concern maybe some offshore and some on the IC.
Ponce inlet can be tricky due to some shallows and rips; follow the markers and not necessarily charts as the sand shifts. I prefer to come in at Ponce a couple of hours after high tide as it settles down quite a bit around then.
Cape Canaveral is deep and easy; the Navy Subs and large cruise ships come in and out of here. The locks are currently under construction so they are limiting locking time; call ahead to find out.
Sebastion Inlet can be a real bear and unless you know it make sure it is completely calm before attempting. Again best a couple of hours after high tide. They have dredged and marked the waterway well from the inlet to the ICW. Bridge boats might have clearance issues under the A1A so check your charts on that overpass.
Ft Pierce can rip but it's wide and easy. Careful inside as there some shallows; like Ponce follow the markers.
I really like the ICW between St. Augustine and Ft Pierce it's a nice cruise and through some great estuaries. Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant is OK and a fun place but the summer weekends are slammed. I keep my boat at Harbor Town Marina on Merritt Island and really like it there; it's quiet, great food but you will need a rental car to get around. Ocean Club Marina in Cape Canaveral is probably the nicest around and from the slip walking distance to all of the port features, restaurants, and evening establishments. On the ICW just South of the Sebastion Inlet is Capt. Hirams which is another fun place to slip and spend the night. Very nice cozy area around there.

 

[FootballFan]

There was a barge that sank just inside the inlet last year. Is that cleaned up and resolved? For a while the inlet was closed, thinking it is reopened.

 

[ZZ13]

If I stay on the ICW is there much opportunity for going stretches on plane?

 

[mquiet]

If you run during the high tides there are plenty of places to run on plane, but on the IC it really is a lot of up/down. The scenery is great.


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[mquiet]

You could also come it at Jacksonville. I went out Jacksonville and came back in at St. Simon. Both good inlets


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[ttmott]

Almost all of it at speed except about a five mile stretch from New Symerna South, under bridges and a short stretch about five miles North of Ft Pierce

 

[Ididntdoit]

I concur - the Indian river is nice and wide, no low bridges - you'll make great time inside and be comfortable no matter what its doing in the ocean - harbortown on the barge canal (not to be confused with the one in ft pierce) is a great stop with the cheapest diesel around - it "looks" a little tight, but Ive seen 50 footers in there for fuel...if your staying overnight there is a pool and restaurant.....it is not a "resort" type of a place, but it is clean and cheap and the people are really nice and helpful - there is a draw bridge going over the barge canal incoming from the ICW so check the closed clearance and opening schedule.

Out of curiosity, why Ft Pierce? Stuart/Port st Lucie (sunset harbor marina up the river a bit or pirates cove in manatee pocket) or even Palm Beach (Palm harbor marina is great) is not that much more of a run with a lots of stuff to do.......

 

[ZZ13]

Sunset Harbor marina had a long wait list. Wasn't getting in. Plus they screwed up my reservation twice (had no record of me ever contacting them when I did follow up checks). So they won't ever get my business - which they clearly don't need. Also we will have a car there for the two months.

 

[FootballFan]

We have stayed at Fort Pierce City marina for single nights when passing through. I would go back. Docks were not the greatest, but thinking they were doing (or going to do) some remodeling. Facilities (showers, etc.) were fine. It is not a high end location, but seemed to be right at the heart of downtown area. Did not explore the downtown a lot.

 

[ZZ13]

We have stayed at Fort Pierce City marina for single nights when passing through. I would go back. Docks were not the greatest, but thinking they were doing (or going to do) some remodeling. Facilities (showers, etc.) were fine. It is not a high end location, but seemed to be right at the heart of downtown area. Did not explore the downtown a lot.

They added 150 new slips last May.

 

[FootballFan]

The condition of the docks was the only downside there. With new slips it would be on list.

Mark

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

Bill,

Kind of hurt my feelings that you didn't just call me with this one but you do have all the Florida pros responding here so you are in way good shape.

Did I say I was at Port Canaveral...okay, just say'in

Capt. R

 

[ZZ13]

Bill,

Kind of hurt my feelings that you didn't just call me with this one but you do have all the Florida pros responding here so you are in way good shape.

Did I say I was at Port Canaveral...okay, just say'in

Capt. R

Roger that. I'll be in touch.

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks everyone for your help. Just arrived. Did the whole trip via ICW. First two days to Palm Coast as much on plane as possible. Nicked up my props on a shoal at Ft Matanza so did the last 160 miles at econo speed.

Anyone have a recommendation for a prop service on the Ft Pierce area. Need to get them removed and refurbed while I am here.

 

[RodnRhonda]

Glad to hear you made it safe and sorry to hear about the props. If I knew I'd let you know. Hopefully someone else will have information for you on where to get them repaired.

 

[k9medic]

Anyone have a recommendation for a prop service on the Ft Pierce area. Need to get them removed and refurbed while I am here.

When i I destroyed both of my props at the crossroads coming into Stuart I had a diver pull them the next morning and take them to Blaire Propeller.

From the time the diver went in the water to the time they were back on the boat was less than 48 hours. Total cost including the diver was $1200 for both props.

 

[quality time]

My parents are wintering there, look for the big green steel trawler "Emerald Lady". They're home for Christmas but will be driving back down next week, we'll be down to visit them in a few weeks.


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[ZZ13]

My parents are wintering there, look for the big green steel trawler "Emerald Lady". They're home for Christmas but will be driving back down next week, we'll be down to visit them in a few weeks.


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I see it. They are over on C dock. We are supposed to end up in B54. We are temporarily on a face dock. There is actually a second green trawler also named Emerald Lady in the slip right next to that one.

Stop by for a cool one during your visit.