I'm planning to go from RI to FL via the ICW this Fall, which I haven't done for two years. With minimal/no dredging being done, it could get tricky. My boat is a 1986 Hunter 31 with 5'6" draft. If any of you out there know of any particular shoaling problems other than those posted on the AIWW web site, or could suggest areas to avoid by going 'outside', it would be most appreciated. Also, for those interested, there is an new website being constructed at www.watercruising.com that intends to provide some of this information.
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FL Perspective 
I hate to tell you this but there are shoals all over FL,..No kidding,..this is not just a quick answer its the truth! Dredging HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS as the tides run fast and things change here day by day. You draw alot with that boat,..try to stay in the middle of the ditch. Hold on and have a good time.
I hate to tell you this but there are shoals all over FL,..No kidding,..this is not just a quick answer its the truth! Dredging HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS as the tides run fast and things change here day by day. You draw alot with that boat,..try to stay in the middle of the ditch. Hold on and have a good time.
Stay away from Sarasota
I have the same boat same draft, actually I measuered 5'10" on the dry. I sailed from Stuart to Tampabay the ICW. I was ok most of the time, but I will never ever try to sail into the Sarasota inlets from the Outside again. If you want to keep your Boat skip Sarasota. You won't get in there.I know how hard the sand is. good luck siggi
I have the same boat same draft, actually I measuered 5'10" on the dry. I sailed from Stuart to Tampabay the ICW. I was ok most of the time, but I will never ever try to sail into the Sarasota inlets from the Outside again. If you want to keep your Boat skip Sarasota. You won't get in there.I know how hard the sand is. good luck siggi
Thanks Siggib
Siggib - I did Sarasota in '02 but stayed in the ditch from FT Myers to Bradenton. Guess I'll stay inside next trip too. Great harbor to anchor in and convenient dink landing at that 'sailing school' and restaurant around the point. Nice city to visit also. Mark - I do try to stay in the middle but, well, it's like this... I have this sea serpant lives under my boat and he gets tired of swimming all the time so he bites onto the bottom of my keel and....yada yada yada...
Siggib - I did Sarasota in '02 but stayed in the ditch from FT Myers to Bradenton. Guess I'll stay inside next trip too. Great harbor to anchor in and convenient dink landing at that 'sailing school' and restaurant around the point. Nice city to visit also. Mark - I do try to stay in the middle but, well, it's like this... I have this sea serpant lives under my boat and he gets tired of swimming all the time so he bites onto the bottom of my keel and....yada yada yada...
HArd Aground
Several years ago we ran the ICW in our Coronado 35 that had a drat of 5'6". If it were'nt for my Perkins 4-108, I would probably be still hard aground at over a dozen locations throughout Georgia and Florida. Be watchful at low tides running through the Carolina's and Georgia to Florida. Sometimes they wash out fast and leave you with 3-6 feet less water. The slightest jog to port or starboard in narrow channels in these states at low tide can cost you a long wait on the hook til the tide rolls in. For my 2 cents Savannah to Fernandina Beach is just plain BAD! I was right between the markers at Fernandina and hit hard. I had to wait til max. high tide to get off. Hate to say it, but it was a strain with a deep keel. Steady as she goes................... Regards Bob
Several years ago we ran the ICW in our Coronado 35 that had a drat of 5'6". If it were'nt for my Perkins 4-108, I would probably be still hard aground at over a dozen locations throughout Georgia and Florida. Be watchful at low tides running through the Carolina's and Georgia to Florida. Sometimes they wash out fast and leave you with 3-6 feet less water. The slightest jog to port or starboard in narrow channels in these states at low tide can cost you a long wait on the hook til the tide rolls in. For my 2 cents Savannah to Fernandina Beach is just plain BAD! I was right between the markers at Fernandina and hit hard. I had to wait til max. high tide to get off. Hate to say it, but it was a strain with a deep keel. Steady as she goes................... Regards Bob
Coronado 35
Bob, would like to talk to you off forum about your Coronado 35. You can reply to hparsons@parsonsys.com. Thanks.
Bob, would like to talk to you off forum about your Coronado 35. You can reply to hparsons@parsonsys.com. Thanks.
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