ICW Ft Pierce to Jacksonville?

[Seighlor]

Captain Bill is spot on. However, the Ponce Inlet area he mentioned is not a problem at this time though frequently, it is. Passed through there just three weeks ago. Good water all the way but do pay attention to the markers.

[dougweibel]

You should be able to do it quicker than 6 days unless you run into trouble. We ran from St. Augustine to Fort Pierce in 3 days a couple weeks ago, sailing and economy motoring - not maximizing speed. You can probably make it in 4 days if you take advantage of all the daylight. Many anchorages along the way you can get the hook up and on your way a bit before sunrise.

[skipgundlach]

I'd far rather, given the unfamiliarity with the boat, do few sea trials while in Ft. Pierce.

Choose your tide times and go out the channel to do some all-points sailing, run everything, and pretend you're a surveyor.

One of those should do the trick.

Then choose a proper window and ride the gulf stream and be there in two.

But that's just me - I detest the ditch, as every inch has to be driven, and there's precious little sailing available, not to mention the grounding potentials. A friend of ours lost their boat during the recent northeaster, going on the rocks in Titusville, when their doubled mooring lines chafed through in the pitching (just another instance of my distaste for the ICW)...

YMMV

[team karst]

GS rather east for a Ft Pierce to Jax run. I didn't take decent data, but my 4 GS crossings this year seemed to have less velocity than usual.

[GreenWave]

Originally Posted by team karst

GS rather east for a Ft Pierce to Jax run. I didn't take decent data, but my 4 GS crossings this year seemed to have less velocity than usual.

The date stamp on this graphic implies it is from 2017! What is your source for this? I would be curious as to how to obtain GS data without paying out the nose for it.

[Hobby]

Here is real time Gulf Stream current data.

https://ocean.weather.gov/newNCOM/NC...m_currents.php

This page shows a chart, click on your area of interest in the chart. You will be taken to a page with today’s projected currents. The display parameters can then be adjusted.

[team karst]

good link, thanks. My search failed me. Your link even has the temperatures.

in summary; GS looks like dead North for most all of FL Atlantic coast. With the West wall barely E of PB.

[Hobby]

It sounds like you will have a good trip.
I’m jealous, stuck in the Northeast, it was below freezing this morning😀.

[Emouchet]

day 1: Ft Pierce to Vero Beach marina (2 hours, just to get started). If things goes wrong, Vero Beach has lots of services, West Marine, free shuttle and a good marina with cheap dock or mooring balls.
day 2: Vero beach to Titusville,
day 3: Titusville to St Augustine,
day 4: St Augustine to St John River / Jacksonville,
Need to start as soon there is enough day light to make good way every day.

[team karst]

And, hands down the best refueling experience at Halifax marina. Daytona area.

[MicHughV]

Don't forget you'll have to deal with tides and current flow and other boating traffic. If you are single handing, you need to plan accordingly.

As the above posters have mentioned many shoals and unusual spots to be aware off.

Once north of St. A to J'ville, the AICW is pretty straightforward, except for the junction of AICW and the St. Johns River.

As above, I'd figure an average speed of 5 knots...at 10hrs per day, that's 50 miles, but really need to plan your trip on where you plan to stop for the night. You can't simply stop in the middle of the AICW. 6 days is not unreasonable. If you're gonna anchor, you'll need to check all your anchors, anchor lights, etc.

I don't know how much fuel you'll burn, but I'd take a couple of 5 gallon jugs of fuel as back up. Having a dink to get you ashore is also not a bad thing.

You could also consider an overnighter offshore, Ft. Pierce to J'ville will be a two day trip. This all weather dependent. Ft. P to Canaveral is a one day overnighter.

Finally, for a small fee, consider joining Seatow or BoatUS. They'll come bail your arse outa a jamb, if you find yourself there. In fact, don't even question this, just do it.

[MicHughV]

I should add, like others, I'd rather stick needless in my eyes than consider an AICW trip.

But....a good trick to doing the AICW is always to look at your track behind you. This will let you know if you're still in the channel. Often times a beam wind will blow you off course without you being aware of it.

[soopad00pa]

You guys have definitely given me a ton of information. Lots of excellent tips and ideas - it is appreciated.

Once all the paperwork hell is ironed out and I get to do the actual trip, I'll definitely update this thread.

Thanks!

[Capt. Greg]

Call the Sea Tow office at each trouble spot mentioned for local knowledge. They are extremely knowledgeble and helpful.

[Sun and Moon]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Finally, for a small fee, consider joining Seatow or BoatUS. They'll come bail your arse outa a jamb, if you find yourself there. In fact, don't even question this, just do it.

This is the best advice in the whole thread.