Finally Under Way

[Bill Root]

We cast off from our marina in Sanford, Fl at 0730 today. We managed approximately 100 miles, tieing up in Palatka for the night. Boat ran great. We'll head to Jacksonville tomorrow for three days, then work our way up the ICW for the next few weeks until we have to head back home.
We're planning stops at Jekyll Island, St. Simons, Savannah and Charleston, but we're trying to avoid a schedule.

 

[rsmith]

Godspeed to you and your crew!

 

[OBXTucker]

Safe travels Bill!
Whats your final destination?

 

[GJH]

Especially important to avoid that "schedule" thingy. Don't hesitate to ask questions along the way, a lot of us have done that route both the slow way and the fast way, the slow way is better!. As discussed in another thread, plenty of beautiful places to drop the hook too.

 

[bobk]

Cumberland Island is also worth a visit. Good walking tour at Beaufort, SC too.

Bobk

 

[GJH]

Cumberland is a nice anchorage and a great place to explore, but I understand he is traveling without a dinghy. I suppose they could hitch a ride with someone as it is very popular. There are small passenger ferries that leave from St. Mary's as well.

 

[Robby]

Good Luck to Bill and Kathy!!Robby and Bren

 

[Trojan]

Sounds like a nice ride. Have fun and a safe ride. Keep things running.

BILL

 

[Hat52MY]

Have a wonderful trip!!! Hope you were able to get one last meal at Hollerbach's Willow Tree Café in downtown Sanford (I love that place) before getting underway.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks for all the good wishes. Had a great run up the St. Johns River, then spent the weekend at Lamb's Yacht Center on the Ortega River south of Jacksonville. Plan to leave for Fernandina Beach later this morning.

George is right, I am traveling w/out the dinghy. When I bought BUFFALO GAL, she had a RIB as a dinghy. I had used a RIB on the 43 when we did the loop and it worked fine, but it was always a little tight for two people and our big dog. I was never particularly comfortable having the dog scrambling over those tubes either, so I sold the RIB and bought a Whaler. I couldn't get a lifting sling made in time, so decided to just go ahead without the dinghy this time.

 

[GJH]

Bill, if you are not going to anchor/moor at Fernandina, it is a nice town to explore. The municipal marina is good and right at the foot of the old downtown. On the north side of town is Florida Petroleum, a good stop for very fresh and usually well-priced fuel. They take out of state checks as "cash" too for a further discount. If the weather is good, Fernandina (St. Mary's) is a good place to hang a right and go out side. You can pick up the ICW again at St. Catherines or go down to Wassaw and take the Wilmington River right into Thunderbolt/ Savannah.

The next similar high volume commercial fueling spot is Ocean Petroleum in Brunswick, GA. They also took my Texas check as cash.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

We moved from Cedar Point Marina (Next to Lambs) last Thursday to Fernandia Beach... We're now at Egans Creek Marina... Wanted to go to Fernandina Harbor Marrina but it's silted in (again) so they couldn't take us....
We'll be at Cumberland Island in a couple of weeks for the weekend ourselves..
Save cruising...

 

[Bill Root]

We're tied up on the face dock at Fernandina Harbor Marina. Anyone in the area, feel free to drop by. Plan to spend the day exploring town, then head for St. Simons tomorrow. I want to explore Bull River anchoring per George tomorrow morning for a spot to anchor on the way back. Plan to re-fuel at Florida Petroleum on the way. Thanks agin for all the helpful advice.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

IF you see a guy with a beer in his hand walking up.... IT"S ME....

Should get off work at 4pm............