I am planning to sail my P-42 from Annapolis MD to Ft Myers FL starting around October 26. I know there are a lot of experienced (ICW and ocean sailors) out there who had done this trip before. For me it is the first time. 1. Can somebody give me some suggestion to prepare beside the books and maps. 2. What is the most suggested in/out ICS routing. 3. What is the best routing from Miami around the south with the draft of a P-42 (6 ft). 4. Is there somebody doing the same trip around that date to join up. E-mail: fsveer@aol.com
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Guest
Down South-Answer to Number 3
Frederick, I'll answer your third question. Leaving Miami, head eastward out Government Cut, alongside all the cruise liners. Once you intersect Hawk Channel (clearly marked on the charts), follow it south outside the upper Keys. Although the channel is wide, you do have to stay within in to avoid coral. Once you reach the middle Keys, you have a decision to make. If you want to cruise the whole chain, you can proceed down to Key West, the Marquesas, or the Dry Tortugas and then head back north from any one of those spots. If you want to reach your destination ASAP, you go through the Channel 5 bridge. Be very careful in this area. It's peppered with very shallow sand shoals and swift currents. Your chart for this area will indicate the channel out to Florida Bay from here. Avoid going back up the intracoastal waterway on the bay side of the Keys. In the upper Keys, it's very shallow and narrow. Once clearly out into the Florida bay, it's a straight shot up the coast. Depending on the weather, you might want to stay a few miles offshore in the area of the Everglades. The mosquitoes in that area have been known to be a couple of miles offshore when they're really hungry. About question 4: If you want to do this trip in mid August, you can join up with the Keys rendezvous. You're much less likely to hit cold fronts, which can make your planned trip uncomfortable. If interested, see Sailor to Sailor. Enjoy. Robert Pancza
Frederick, I'll answer your third question. Leaving Miami, head eastward out Government Cut, alongside all the cruise liners. Once you intersect Hawk Channel (clearly marked on the charts), follow it south outside the upper Keys. Although the channel is wide, you do have to stay within in to avoid coral. Once you reach the middle Keys, you have a decision to make. If you want to cruise the whole chain, you can proceed down to Key West, the Marquesas, or the Dry Tortugas and then head back north from any one of those spots. If you want to reach your destination ASAP, you go through the Channel 5 bridge. Be very careful in this area. It's peppered with very shallow sand shoals and swift currents. Your chart for this area will indicate the channel out to Florida Bay from here. Avoid going back up the intracoastal waterway on the bay side of the Keys. In the upper Keys, it's very shallow and narrow. Once clearly out into the Florida bay, it's a straight shot up the coast. Depending on the weather, you might want to stay a few miles offshore in the area of the Everglades. The mosquitoes in that area have been known to be a couple of miles offshore when they're really hungry. About question 4: If you want to do this trip in mid August, you can join up with the Keys rendezvous. You're much less likely to hit cold fronts, which can make your planned trip uncomfortable. If interested, see Sailor to Sailor. Enjoy. Robert Pancza
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bill walton
From a P42 owner in Marathon
In addition to the info from Robert, you can also cross over through Morse Channel at 7Mile bridge just west of Marathon. Be sure to try to make contact on your way down and around, we're located on Marathon. I can also provide you with coordinates for several anchorages as you are coming down Hawk Channel.
In addition to the info from Robert, you can also cross over through Morse Channel at 7Mile bridge just west of Marathon. Be sure to try to make contact on your way down and around, we're located on Marathon. I can also provide you with coordinates for several anchorages as you are coming down Hawk Channel.
G
Guest
You're right Bill
Small oversight on my part. It's only the biggest bridge within probably 200 miles! BP
Small oversight on my part. It's only the biggest bridge within probably 200 miles! BP
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Al
From Ft. Pierce
I usually go on the outside at Ft. Pierce,weather permitting, with stops at Lake Worth or Miami depending on how long a day you wish to have. There are an increasing number of opening bridges, some that only open at specific times, south of Ft. Pierce. You must go on the outside at the Ft. Lauderdale inlet due to a bridge with 55' vertical clearance just before Miami on the ICW.
I usually go on the outside at Ft. Pierce,weather permitting, with stops at Lake Worth or Miami depending on how long a day you wish to have. There are an increasing number of opening bridges, some that only open at specific times, south of Ft. Pierce. You must go on the outside at the Ft. Lauderdale inlet due to a bridge with 55' vertical clearance just before Miami on the ICW.
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Jim Trammell
Email fsveer@aol.com
I have a P42 and trie to write you at the email listed in your questions...aol said yo didn't gave an account....did I do something wrong?
I have a P42 and trie to write you at the email listed in your questions...aol said yo didn't gave an account....did I do something wrong?
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Bill Jones
ICW
I have a H 40.5, mast height near 63' and the ICW caused me much concern bringing my boat from Jacksonville, FL to Chesapeake Bay. I don't know the H 42 mast height, but not all 65' fixed bridges are created equal! Also, no all of them have the vertical clearance marked on their starboard fender as you may expect. I use the following inlets on my trip, St. Simons, St. Catherines, and Charleston. I have heard the Dismal Swamp route is having trouble with logs floating tbeneath the surface. I would take the primary ICW route from Norfolk. There are some wonderful places to layover. I hope you have the time to make it a leisurely trip, if not it can get rather tiresome. Good luck and have fun!
I have a H 40.5, mast height near 63' and the ICW caused me much concern bringing my boat from Jacksonville, FL to Chesapeake Bay. I don't know the H 42 mast height, but not all 65' fixed bridges are created equal! Also, no all of them have the vertical clearance marked on their starboard fender as you may expect. I use the following inlets on my trip, St. Simons, St. Catherines, and Charleston. I have heard the Dismal Swamp route is having trouble with logs floating tbeneath the surface. I would take the primary ICW route from Norfolk. There are some wonderful places to layover. I hope you have the time to make it a leisurely trip, if not it can get rather tiresome. Good luck and have fun!
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Frederick
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John
definately outside at Ft Lauderdale
not sure about your mast height but just before Miamion ICW is 56ft bridge. I went outside at Ft Lauderdale(60ft mast) and back in at Miami and stayed inside(5ft draft). However I bumped bottom twice on the inside. With your draft definately take the outside channel and stay in the channel.
not sure about your mast height but just before Miamion ICW is 56ft bridge. I went outside at Ft Lauderdale(60ft mast) and back in at Miami and stayed inside(5ft draft). However I bumped bottom twice on the inside. With your draft definately take the outside channel and stay in the channel.
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Frederick
Marathon / Bill Walton
Please Bill. give me your details to contact for the best spots to overnight along the channel. Frederick
Please Bill. give me your details to contact for the best spots to overnight along the channel. Frederick
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