It's almost time to go

[rwappleton]

We are splashing on 3/20 and hanging around Charleston until the weekend. Hilton Head for a month. Savannah for a month and then the trek to the gulf coast.

My question is......How much time should we allow from Isle of Hope marina to Pensacola. We plan to run at 8 kts at least 10 hours per day. ICW to the canal and back to ICW. Going to use both marinas and the hook. We do not have a schedule and we are not in a hurry except the boat needs to be closer to home.

We plan on doing the sight seeing going the other way when we start the loop.

How many days? good stops? advice? No No's?

Thanks,

Becky and Russ

 

[bobk]

Some of our favorite stops include Cumberland Island. Take the tour. Also Fernandina Beach. Interesting town and a neat little museum.

The St. John's river is worth a few days. Free dock in Jacksonville.

St Augustine is also worth a visit. Hidden Harbor Marina is real cheap and convenient to town. Book early as they have only a few transient slips.

Vero Beach - mooring field and convenient public transportation.

Stuart Fl. Either the marina or mooring field.

Use Skipper Bob and or Active Captain for anchorages.

Have you toured Savannah? Worth a day or two if not.

Bobk

 

[rwappleton]

Thanks Bob and we will keep your notes and do this when we do the loop. Our plan is to take two years but that is a story for another time.

Our question is what would be the MINIMUM time in days it would take using the criteria in the original post. I am still working (dammit) and we are thinking about one push unless weather or maintenance issues hold us up.

We are learning to use active captain and looking at the route now. Plan is to depart Isle of Hope in May.

Thanks again,

Becky and Russ

 

[Robby]

Thanks Bob and we will keep your notes and do this when we do the loop. Our plan is to take two years but that is a story for another time.

Our question is what would be the MINIMUM time in days it would take using the criteria in the original post. I am still working (dammit) and we are thinking about one push unless weather or maintenance issues hold us up.

We are learning to use active captain and looking at the route now. Plan is to depart Isle of Hope in May.

Thanks again,

Becky and Russ

Why don't yall sidle up next to us for a nite or so rent and water free.>

 

[rwappleton]

A phone call is in the works!

 

[bobk]

Stretch your first day a little and anchor south of the bridge on Jekyll Island or use the marina which is right on the waterway. Buy fuel at Port Consolidated at Fernandina (M-F) and motor on to the Jacksonville Free dock at Sisters Creek. Next day, run to Daytona. Both marinas and anchorages right on the waterway. Day 4 run to Melbourne near mile 920. Again marina and anchorages right on the waterway. Day 5, run to Stuart. Marina, anchor or mooring ball. Each of the last three stops offer restaurants on site or near-by. Three days from Stuart will easily put you on the west coast and at that point, I can't help.

Enjoy the trip. You will have lots of daylight. Watch the speed limits in Georgia! Also you may need to time some of the shallow areas like the Mud River or Hells Gate.

I winter up the North Fork of the St Lucie River, but will be underway north by the time you get here so maybe we'll pass along the way. Watch for Chateau de Mer.

Bobk

 

[rwappleton]

Thanks Bob! This is exactly what we are looking for.

Now how about you Stuart to Destin folks!

Becky and Russ

 

[Genesis]

What do you want to know about the general Destin/Pensacola/Panama City area? I live here....

 

[Boatnut]

I am not familiar with the schedule for the waterway across Florida, but I am aware they close sections from time to time, it might be worth while to check their schedule.

 

[bobk]

Go here for information on the Lake O waterway:

http://www.rolandmartinmarina.com/water_levels.php

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

BobK is correct about where to buy fuel here at Fernandina Beach.... Consolidated fuel dock is only about 1500' north of Fernandina Harbor Marina. Two weeks ago diesel was $3.72 at Consolidated and $4.54 at the marina..
Dockage at the city marina is not cheap. There is a mooring field ($20 a day) but you can also anchor either side of the moorings and just pay $2 to use the dingy dock.
Several nice places to eat. I like Salty Pelican across the street from the marina, good food at a decent price. Brett's is at the marina, good food at a good price for lunch, but they double-triple the price come dinner time..
Palace Saloon is famous and a 'must stop at' on most people's list, I've only been there once as they allow smoking inside..
Cuban food? HOLA's...
Hambugers? Tasty's and T Rays (T Rays was voted best burger in Florida by USA Today newspaper this year, but is a 15 min walk from the marina, and only open for breakfast and lunch)
Dozens of other places to eat ranging from cheap to very expensive all within an 8 block area....
And you can ALWAYS buy me a beer or 10....