Started the trip south: NC to FL

cod said:
Why is that? Skinny water? I only needed to go outside in one area (5 years ago) in Georgia but was mostly fine. I plan on heading down in about a month and looking for insight... Thanks
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Steve,

The only really troubled spot I know just north of Charleston:

Charleston_Shoaling_ICW_Area.jpg

You do not want to be here at low tide, as you'll see 2.5' of water in the center of the channel.

Mark,

Very exciting trip. Have fun and keep us posted. Safe travels.
 
Another day, a few more miles.

Concern last night about the weather, checked right before bed, forecast was for the weather to move east, off the coast. Got up at 6, looked like it was in fact moving.

Did, the morning check the boat routine, puttered out of the marina (harbor town) at 7:45. The day before we came in via Port royal and the ICW all the way around Hilton head. One of the reasons was some advice I had picked up that first time entering calibogue sound was difficult. Leaving that way was much easier. Got some local knowledge from the harbor master, run out the channel SE, then line up the water tower with the light house, stay close ocean side to green 3 - cross over to Tybee. There is some tight water in there, first time, outbound is much easier than inbound.

Went out aways, then turned to a heading off of st Augustine.

Did I mention ---- no rain.

Glorious day on the water. Straight line, easy seas, could see the weather to the east - but at times - actual sunshine.

Five miles out of st Augustine, called TowboAt us for current inlet discussion. They gave me the cell number of their captain that out that day. This is not an easy inlet, the path is a zig, then a zag. if I had not called and got help, would have been an issue I think.

Just as we come in, seems like the worst visibility of the day. None of the markers are on charts or the plotter, it's all visual. I put everyone on the front of the fly bridge helping me find bouy's. We found them and sailed in.

If you read this, going in the first time - would suggest you get some input. Staying at the muni marina tonight, they have maps. Course that will be nice getting back out, would have loved to have it coming in.

Great night here. Love this town.


Tommorrow - probably cape Canaveral area. Marina recommendations?
 
This guy they call Rusty may be able to help you with Cape Canaveral...
 
Yep, sounds about right.

St. Augustine inlet isn't charted because it changes often. BoatUS was so helpful that they emailed me a Google map of the inlet with the markup from BoatUS showing where the markers were and how to come in.

Regarding Cape Canaveral, Rusty could help ya here.

If you were on the ICW I'd suggest Cocoa Village Marina.

Since I think you want to stay out, Ocean Club Marina was the best. 321-783-9001

It had floating docks and big slips. The dockmaster there is very friendly and I think Rusty knows him. I will say, I think that area is full of "no seeums" if memory serves. Nice club house, etc.


What is your final destination?
 
How long was the ride from Hilton Head to St Augustine? I am making that run in January. Thanks for writing all the helpful advice about the inlet.
 
Lot of miles today. Made the 7:30 bridge opening in st Augustine. Took our time getting out past the inlet. Set a heading to take a route outside the shoals north of Canaveral.

Captain Rusty called mid morning to check in, provided some local knowledge about navigating the shoals. We had decided by that point we were going on to fort pierce. The water was smooth like a table top. Sun shining, dolphins playing, a glorious day on the water.

Big regret was that we didn't stay in cape, and missed seeing Rusty. But I kinda think we will be back up this direction in a few weeks.

Today, I haven't gone back to logs and instruments for an official tally - but off the atop of my head 150+ NM. Others will know more precisely. Docked at fort pierce around 4:15.

Big observation of the day for me. We have been doing bare boat charters ( 2-3 weeks a year ) for the last 5 or so years. Maine, Chesapeake, and Florida. Started years ago with charting software on my PC. Expensive. But going to new areas all the time, then cruising after we got there, so always spent a lot of time on prep.

After I got my first ipad, started using iNavx, loved that. Was playing some with BlueChart. Have used active captain for a while, Blue Chart had the integration.

This trip I am spending 3-4 hours a day in blue chart. I got a ram mount, my ipad is right above the two e120's. The e120's are current situation, the iPad with blue chart is looking ahead. So impressed with blue chart.

Tommorrow the plan is to make it to our destination, a marina between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Thinking if we get away on time, will be there by 4 or so. This morning we had mechanical issues with the coffee machine, long as we get past that we should be rolling by 7:30.

Have a ton of photos, just haven't gotten them uploaded to photobucket yet. By the time I think about it, it is late. Then it starts uploading, the phone goes to sleep, then most days we have been beyond cell phone range most of the day.

Once I get to a stopping point, will get pictures uploaded and posted.

Mark
 
Mark, You guys are doing really good. Can not wait to see the pictures. Also, I am very interested in a more detailed review of your ipad and BlueCharts. Look forward to your posting tonight from Beautiful South Florida, JC
 
JC3 said:
Mark, You guys are doing really good. Can not wait to see the pictures. Also, I am very interested in a more detailed review of your ipad and BlueCharts. Look forward to your posting tonight from Beautiful South Florida, JC
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+1 :thumbsup: Pleased you are having a good trip. Really interested in your iPad mount, charts etc. too.
 
Thanks for sharing the update. Someday hope to be fortunate enough to make the same trip with a new boat!! Love Blue Chart on the iPad. Have a ram mount on a sea sucker and really like it a lot. Have a Simrad plotter now with the Navico charts and really like those charts too. Best part is that the charts have the channel marked in bold dotted lines so I can use it as a reference to head and look for the markers. Don't particularily like the markers in the Navico charts. Love the Simrad unit, easy, quick fix, and combo of touch and button. Also love that I got it for a steal with the rebate!!!
 
We are here.

New marina, all the setup. Last time I changed slips it was a 100 yards or so, this 500 miles or so.

Easy run today, 4-5 hours from fort pierce. Came into ICW at baker Haulover inlet. Had good solid local knowledge. Right after coming under the bridge, hard turn to starboard, follow right off the sea wall north till you merge into the ICW.

Had a couple mile run north on the ICW, mate at the helm. Spent the trip getting all the lines placed around both sides. These were the lines going on the piers, that will be permanent leave behinds. As you know, first time in, they all have to be placed.

Had to uncover the tender, it had to come off before backing in. After we left the ICW, wound back through a couple canals to our marina, stopped at a side tie for a sec, dropped the tender and tied it off. Boat in the slip, all secured.

This is our eighth nite on the boat. Spent Thursday night last week in North Carolina, started south on Friday. Have had some short days, some long days, one non travel day. Gotta say, wow, or more appropriately WOW. This is what I love about boating.

We are by no means experts. But with a lot of help from people, careful planning, and a little common sense we just finished a several hundred mile trip.

We are cruising south this morning, 3-4 miles off the coast around Boca. My wife asked me if I was ready for the trip to end?

Thought about, then asked her if she remembered the seinfield episode where Kramer took the car on the test drive. He wound up trying to see how far he could go on the tank of gas..... That was my response, lets just keep going, we have enough fuel to get to key largo on the outside.

Still have some wrap up duties tommorrow, then back home. Have 300 pictures, will pick out high points and post.

Wow, what a trip, ready to do it again.
 
Mark,

I'm glad you had successful and very enjoyable journey. As you said, that's what boating is about. Enjoy your stay in FL. Looking forward to the pics.
 
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