We are planning on a day trip tomorrow out Sebastian inlet. Any tips? Seas are predicted to be 2 foot. Perfect day, except for the inlet part.
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We are planning on a day trip tomorrow out Sebastian inlet. Any tips? Seas are predicted to be 2 foot. Perfect day, except for the inlet part.
Local knowledge is a great thing. Check with some locals.
What Boatsb said. As far as running the inlet.... Unless flat calm or close thereto one rule I've always obeyed is to keep wind and current going the same way..... (Although at 53'/55,000# you can probably loosen that a little)
Someday when I'm bored I'll type up my Boca inlet story... A story of a 5 foot keel, fouled prop, 20 knot winds, currents, dredges and low bridges. (I survived without any paperwork)
Iv'e been running the Sebastian Inlet for 35 years.
Only use the proper connecting channel between the ICW and the inlet proper. You will see locals cutting off corners out there but there are extremely shallow bars everywhere. Our only option to get to the bridge used to be super dicey before the connecting channel. The bridge height is not the standard ICW type. Depending on the tides its limited to 40' +/-. The current rips under that bridge, respect the water flow there and make deliberate and decisive movements if slow or stopped west of the bridge. Do not drift south between the bridge and the ocean where you see breakers ans surfers. Stay more towards the pier but off of the rocks - maybe 20 yards or so. Commit between the ocean and the bridge and do not stop. The worst conditions are outgoing tide and strong wind from the east. I have used that inlet hundreds of times but there are incidences every year from lack of experience or respect for those conditions. In rough conditions its trim tabs up, minimum speed for steerage, time the waves and don't pitch pole or broach. In the worst conditions it's 6-8' standing waves that look like a washing machine and will scare the crap out of you. Most day its just very strong current and sloppy for about 60 seconds.
George
Thanks for the input. We didn't go out the inlet yet, I think I will watch others first to get a good idea of the channel.
Confused. If you have a 53 MY why go out at Sebastian? You re not going fishing so... why?
It's like running on plane. Because I can. Why not and who's gonna stop me.
In this case, I was planning on meeting someone that was going fishing.:) For longer southern trips (Keys, Bahamas), Sebastian is only a couple of hours away and I can get there before dark even if I leave later in the day. Ft Pierce would be the better choice, if I leave early enough to get there and to the ocean before dark, which doesn't have to be too early, it is only 6 hours away. Still, for just going out to the ocean on a day trip, Sebastian is ideal, distance wise.
Once you understand Sebastian it's pretty easy, except for full outgoing and 15kt+ easterly winds. In 35 years it only scared the crap out of me once. Now you want to talk about a nightmare inlet for a vessel with any draft - St. Lucie Inlet with all the shifting sand is nerve racking.
George