St. John's River, Florida

[odaysailor]

I'll be relocating to St. Augustine, Florida in the near future and was wondering if any sailors can give me a heads up on the St. John's River and the ICW. A chart purchased at the West Marine Store in St. Augustine indicates the St. John's is a deep river that flows north. Are there any "boats of choice" for this river? Is the ICW as tricky as it looks? Thanks for any info.Ed

 

[ted]

Ed, I live in St Augustine.

I keep my boat at the foot of the bridge of lions. The st johns river is to far away to sail if you keep you boat at St A. The IWC makes for great crusing especially 10 miles south at the 'little fort'. Its a good idea to have a shoal draft keel. But for real sailing where you want to let her 'stretch her legs is ocean sailing. I can leave my house and be in the ocean in 30 minutes. We only IWC sail when its to rough on the out side or when we are on overnighters. email me at whitting@bellsouth.net and let me know when you are coming to town or if there is anything I can assist with. Beware though dock slip fees are high $$. I have the cheapest in town at $7/ft. Most places charge $10/ft and some are at $14/ft.thanks..Ted

 

[Charles Frick]

ICW is like tight-rope walking

Ed: I bought my first sailboat (Ericson 30+ 1985 model)in St. Augustine and cruised it down the ICW to Boca Raton where I live. My boat had a 6 ft. draft, but a boat with any draft must be handled like being on a tight rope. You can not deviate from the channel. In many segments of the ICW, depths are only in inches on many stretches. Sailing on the ICW? - forget it. During the 300 miles from St. Augustine to Boca, my hand did not let go of the chart for that segment of the ICW, nor could I take my mind away from constant and continual evaluation of my position in the ICW, for fear of going aground. Sail in the ocean. Have fun. In acutality, there are a few stretches on the ICW where one can hoist a sail. But it is still tedious. Better to lower the sails and hoist a beer on the ICW.

 

[Mark Major]

St. Johns

The St. Johns is well marked from the coast, upriver (south) to Lake Monroe, in Sanford. An excellent book to read before this trip would be "River of Lakes; a Journey on Florida's St. Johns River" by Bill Belleville (University of Georgia Press). I went downriver last October, most of which by motor. It opens up nicely for sailing in the lakes along the way, and then on the river just south of Jacksonville. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor, 86H23