Experiences Shared:
All waterways; the Atlantic Intracoastal, Marco Island and Fort Myers inside passages, Okeechobee Waterway and also the Key- and West Coast areas can have shallow areas. It’s very important to follow the dredged canals, but it can happens easily to get grounded.
Grounding:
My H260 has a back swinging center board and a retractable rudder. When grounded and it is possible to get still out without waiting for high tide, do it forwards since centerboard and rudder will block to go backwards. When you could only back out, lift up centerboard and rudder.
I installed the rudder protecting clamcleat CL257 on my boat which releases the rudder when hitting an obstacle. I have also a easy steer connection between rudder and outboard installed. There were some very dangerous situation when suddenly the rudder popped up, the navigation got lost, the boat spun in a circle until the rudder was down again. When using force to steer, the shaft between rudder and outboard get bend. Wonder if someone else discovered that?
I solved that problem by installing a block under the bimini to hole the rudder down line through. Then I used bungee courts to hold the line tight but giving space when the rudder hit an obstacle. (picture 1)
Anchoring:
Since there are tides on the Intracoastal, the boat would swing 180 degree on one anchor; good precaution is to use at least an anchor on the bow and one on the stern.
As more you come south as more the water becomes cleaner since the mud ground changes to sand. I had problems to get hold with my fluke anchor, got dragged all over the place, ask the locals and bought in Marathon a plow type anchor.
Bridges:
There are many bridged on the waterways and it is a good idea to make a (laminated) list of their names. The bridge tenders need to be properly addressed for an opening. Make sure to use the 1 Watt setting on your VHF radio and do not blast with 25 Watts over all bridges in 30 miles radius. I used only my handheld.
Sailing:
The Atlantic Intracoastal has mainly east wind, means beam reach and it is tempting to take the sails out. I believe it is not allowed to sail through bridges and for mine boat to deal with the mainsail is not to recommend. But the jib is a pleasure to use, assuming you have a furling system installed.
Heat:
At this time it can be already very hot in Florida. I bought a 10’x12’ net tarp at Harbor Fright Tool and put it by traveling south over the boom to the bimini. My boat appeared 10 F cooler and I was never getting the sun full into my face.
On the way north, I put the net over the bimini hanging down on the sides and back; nice protection.
All waterways; the Atlantic Intracoastal, Marco Island and Fort Myers inside passages, Okeechobee Waterway and also the Key- and West Coast areas can have shallow areas. It’s very important to follow the dredged canals, but it can happens easily to get grounded.
Grounding:
My H260 has a back swinging center board and a retractable rudder. When grounded and it is possible to get still out without waiting for high tide, do it forwards since centerboard and rudder will block to go backwards. When you could only back out, lift up centerboard and rudder.
I installed the rudder protecting clamcleat CL257 on my boat which releases the rudder when hitting an obstacle. I have also a easy steer connection between rudder and outboard installed. There were some very dangerous situation when suddenly the rudder popped up, the navigation got lost, the boat spun in a circle until the rudder was down again. When using force to steer, the shaft between rudder and outboard get bend. Wonder if someone else discovered that?
I solved that problem by installing a block under the bimini to hole the rudder down line through. Then I used bungee courts to hold the line tight but giving space when the rudder hit an obstacle. (picture 1)
Anchoring:
Since there are tides on the Intracoastal, the boat would swing 180 degree on one anchor; good precaution is to use at least an anchor on the bow and one on the stern.
As more you come south as more the water becomes cleaner since the mud ground changes to sand. I had problems to get hold with my fluke anchor, got dragged all over the place, ask the locals and bought in Marathon a plow type anchor.
Bridges:
There are many bridged on the waterways and it is a good idea to make a (laminated) list of their names. The bridge tenders need to be properly addressed for an opening. Make sure to use the 1 Watt setting on your VHF radio and do not blast with 25 Watts over all bridges in 30 miles radius. I used only my handheld.
Sailing:
The Atlantic Intracoastal has mainly east wind, means beam reach and it is tempting to take the sails out. I believe it is not allowed to sail through bridges and for mine boat to deal with the mainsail is not to recommend. But the jib is a pleasure to use, assuming you have a furling system installed.
Heat:
At this time it can be already very hot in Florida. I bought a 10’x12’ net tarp at Harbor Fright Tool and put it by traveling south over the boom to the bimini. My boat appeared 10 F cooler and I was never getting the sun full into my face.
On the way north, I put the net over the bimini hanging down on the sides and back; nice protection.
