Suggestions for moving boat up coast
- Thread starter Bonzai
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You would be better off taking it up the intercoastal. They have a protected water all the way from Merritt Island to St Simmons. You are looking at a one day trip to lay over a night in St Augustine. Then you have one more day to go from St.Augustine to St Simmons. Unless you want to sail at night to make it faster, I do not see what is gained from going out into the Gulf Stream and the back in. I could see if you were taking the boat a lot further up the coast but not a two day trip with one night on anchor?
It's a bit further than you think on the ICW. Depending on where you are on Merritt it's around Mile 900 on the ICW, and St. Simons is around Mile 675, so you're looking at around 325 ICW miles. Most sailboaters do around 50 miles per day, with 80 if you push hard and have a bigger boat. So you're looking at four to six days on the ICW.
Call me chicken, but I wouldn't go off-shore unless I had considerable time on the boat and knew it well and also the condition of everything well and had at the very minimum one other person that was seasoned in doing this and could also handle most things on the boat in case you had a problem.
Ruth and I hope to eventually take the Endeavour up to Long Island Sound as we have family there, but that is some time away and we will probably enlist a friend to go with us that has made the trip himself if at all possible,
Sum
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Ruth and I hope to eventually take the Endeavour up to Long Island Sound as we have family there, but that is some time away and we will probably enlist a friend to go with us that has made the trip himself if at all possible,
Sum
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Sum, I have been going over the boat for a few months now and am confident it will do fine outside or in. My lack of navigational know how is the problem otherwise would hit the Stream in a beat. If I don't pick up someone who has more experience I will certainly try it tho! Scared I ain't...too many yrs spent running waterfalls in kayaks for a living...lol. I figured almost 300 miles roughly. Am trying to recruit more experienced friends from a couple different sailing clubs I have been in...so far they all gotta work, but gonna keep trying til the day I go...but go I'm gonna. Would like to have myself and up to 3 additional more experienced people so can hit outside and really check the boat out .....hope one of em knows how to rig that big ole spinnaker. Got good gear,good electronics and plan to be very careful.
Going outside vs. ICW isnt going to make much difference in travel distance.
The ICW between C.Canaveral and Fernandina is essentially a 'straight shot'. It takes extra time and distance to in/out the inlets: Canaveral, St. Augustine, St.Marys, and St. Simons.
Id figure 2.5 days. If ICW then Titusville to anchor at Rockhouse Cr. @ near Ponce Inlet, leave at first light and pick up a mooring in Fernandina, again first light and Up behind Cumberland Is. / Jekyll Is. Only problem will be behind Jekyll on a low tide ... just plan well and ride the high tide wave and use your eyeballs and depthsounder instead of a chartplotter when you pass the bridge across to Jekyll ... the channnel wanders and even the daymarks arent correct vs. the actual channel.
With any wind from the south quarter, just SAIL / motor sail from Titusville to New Smyrna, and again from New Smyrna on up to Fernandina, etc.
If the weather is good, go outside from Fernandina and enter the St. Simons Bay to save the wandering/shallow water behind Jekyll. Best weather advice for this area is Caribbean Weather (Chris Parker) on SSB 4.045 mHz USB starting a 730AM ... just listen to all the private forecasts being made, especially for along the FL/GA coast.
When/IF passing through Volusia County (Daytona & New Smyrna) ... BE SURE your holding tank overboard seacock is LOCKED with tie wrap, etc. ... or 'ticket', sometimes with 'guns drawn'.
Since this is a straight shot trip, it makes no difference in distance travelled if inside or outside ... and you can anchor or take a mooring along the ICW. 3 10-12+ hour days on the ICW or 30+ hours if 'outside'.
YOur route is too close to the coast for any help from the Gulf Stream: http://passageweather.com/index.htm?http://passageweather.com/northatlantic.htm ---> click on Gulf stream in the 'title bar' of the 'weather chart'.
The ICW between C.Canaveral and Fernandina is essentially a 'straight shot'. It takes extra time and distance to in/out the inlets: Canaveral, St. Augustine, St.Marys, and St. Simons.
Id figure 2.5 days. If ICW then Titusville to anchor at Rockhouse Cr. @ near Ponce Inlet, leave at first light and pick up a mooring in Fernandina, again first light and Up behind Cumberland Is. / Jekyll Is. Only problem will be behind Jekyll on a low tide ... just plan well and ride the high tide wave and use your eyeballs and depthsounder instead of a chartplotter when you pass the bridge across to Jekyll ... the channnel wanders and even the daymarks arent correct vs. the actual channel.
With any wind from the south quarter, just SAIL / motor sail from Titusville to New Smyrna, and again from New Smyrna on up to Fernandina, etc.
If the weather is good, go outside from Fernandina and enter the St. Simons Bay to save the wandering/shallow water behind Jekyll. Best weather advice for this area is Caribbean Weather (Chris Parker) on SSB 4.045 mHz USB starting a 730AM ... just listen to all the private forecasts being made, especially for along the FL/GA coast.
When/IF passing through Volusia County (Daytona & New Smyrna) ... BE SURE your holding tank overboard seacock is LOCKED with tie wrap, etc. ... or 'ticket', sometimes with 'guns drawn'.
Since this is a straight shot trip, it makes no difference in distance travelled if inside or outside ... and you can anchor or take a mooring along the ICW. 3 10-12+ hour days on the ICW or 30+ hours if 'outside'.
YOur route is too close to the coast for any help from the Gulf Stream: http://passageweather.com/index.htm?http://passageweather.com/northatlantic.htm ---> click on Gulf stream in the 'title bar' of the 'weather chart'.
sum... it's more of a coastal cruise than really going "off-shore" If he made a straight shot, he'd probably never get more than 10 or 12 miles from land. The whole trip is less than 200nm. If the weather, wind and sea are cooperative I'd think going outside at least part of the way would be a lot easier. Once you get to deeper, open water, navigation is way easier and the wind is more consistent so sailing becomes pratical and relaxing. And don't forget, you can use that autopilot.
I'd go offshore if you are happy with the boat and crew ! much less stress and better sailing. Ya have to watch the weather but this time is about the best time to do a run like you are contemplating. I have done it both inside and outside and MUCH prefer the outside run because of fewer delays and much easier, stress free, sailing. Either way it will be a fun adventure !! Wish I could make it up there to go with you guys !
Yes I agree if he has used the boat some since he bought it and knows it pretty well. Sounds like he has gone through it. I also didn't know how much experience he has had in a similar situation. There again sounds like he is comfortable with it.
I wouldn't do it myself with a new-old boat until I'd done some day trips of 30-50 miles myself, but guess I'm showing my age
,Sum
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Thanks for some really good info...and Rich, if I go ICW I will follow your suggestions closely. I was thinking the coastal route would be faster and a hell of alot less motoring. Yep, I am anxious to see the Aries wind vane do some of the steering! Will be a good chance to learn it well.
... the run between Ponce Inlet (Rockhouse Cr.) and Fernandina is very very long one. You may want to consider picking up a mooring or anchoring in St. Augustine ... and add one more day.
St. Augustine is also a good jumping off spot for 'outside'. Ponce can be very trickey on an adverse tide/wind. St. Mary's and Augustine are 'Class A' inlets.
St. Augustine is also a good jumping off spot for 'outside'. Ponce can be very trickey on an adverse tide/wind. St. Mary's and Augustine are 'Class A' inlets.
Bonzai,
As others have said, you are really not going to get far enough out on your trip to catch any benefit of the gulf stream if you do decide to go outside. As such, the decision is really going to be a weather based decision. If it is blowing out of the NE, there is no reason to try to beat to weather, fire up the motor and run up the ICW. On the flip side, if you have a few days of a south swell, and southerly winds, enjoy a nice ride up outside.
Let me preface my next comment with the note that we have gone in and out the St. Augustine inlet 4+ times a month for the past 3 years. While I am usually trying to convince folks the St. Augustine inlet is not as bad as it can be made out, the current controlling depth at low tide is 12' as of 3/18/12. The drege is there and starting to work so hopefully it is deeper soon, but I can't currently recommend it as an inlet to use if the swells are running against the tide.
--Eric
As others have said, you are really not going to get far enough out on your trip to catch any benefit of the gulf stream if you do decide to go outside. As such, the decision is really going to be a weather based decision. If it is blowing out of the NE, there is no reason to try to beat to weather, fire up the motor and run up the ICW. On the flip side, if you have a few days of a south swell, and southerly winds, enjoy a nice ride up outside.
Let me preface my next comment with the note that we have gone in and out the St. Augustine inlet 4+ times a month for the past 3 years. While I am usually trying to convince folks the St. Augustine inlet is not as bad as it can be made out, the current controlling depth at low tide is 12' as of 3/18/12. The drege is there and starting to work so hopefully it is deeper soon, but I can't currently recommend it as an inlet to use if the swells are running against the tide.
--Eric
Bonzai, I just typed a message for 20 minutes and the connection died, so send me a PM by clicking on my user name above or call me 386-423-3139. I have a lot of experience with your intended trip, as I used to live in Harbor Town Marina.
G.
G.
I understand you point of view..... Sure wish you had time to get out here and sail where the water is deep .Yes I agree if he has used the boat some since he bought it and knows it pretty well. Sounds like he has gone through it. I also didn't know how much experience he has had in a similar situation. There again sounds like he is comfortable with it.
I wouldn't do it myself with a new-old boat until I'd done some day trips of 30-50 miles myself, but guess I'm showing my age
Sum
We were suppose to be there in Jan. before some medical detours, but about done with them. We hope to be there this summer some time. Probably won't bring the Mac, but will try and get a hold of you,
Sum
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Bonzai
Bonzai,
Sailing and kayaking are very different. Bit the bullet and hire a Captain. They typically charge about $250 a day plus transport to and from boat.
May seem expensive, but you will learn.
That is experienced sailboat captain familiar with intended route. Usually there are retired guys around who jump at chance. Worth every penny.
Ed K
Bonzai,
Sailing and kayaking are very different. Bit the bullet and hire a Captain. They typically charge about $250 a day plus transport to and from boat.
May seem expensive, but you will learn.
That is experienced sailboat captain familiar with intended route. Usually there are retired guys around who jump at chance. Worth every penny.
Ed K
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Offshore vs ICW
The primary difference is going to be time. If you have crew, and can run 24 hrs. straight, then you can go offshore just fine. Inside, most do not run at night, nor recommend you to do so. By the way, for me, perfect crew is three, who can sail the boat. 4hr watches, gives you 4 on and 8 off. A crew of 2 would probably be fine for this trip, because it's not that far.
The primary difference is going to be time. If you have crew, and can run 24 hrs. straight, then you can go offshore just fine. Inside, most do not run at night, nor recommend you to do so. By the way, for me, perfect crew is three, who can sail the boat. 4hr watches, gives you 4 on and 8 off. A crew of 2 would probably be fine for this trip, because it's not that far.
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