reliable inlets b/w Charleston and FL

[motoryacht lover]

I am getting somewhat conflicting info on some of the inlets between charleston, SC and Fernandina Beach, FL. Can anyone give me advice on the safe inlets that aren't tricky for first timers. Is Calibouge sound easy and reliable assuming the weather is good? How about Port Royal Sound? I don't intend to run offshore unless the weather is favorable but I realize how that is subject to rapid change. Also any info on the GA inlets would be nice as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[Pascal]

i used port royal last week, coudn't be easier!

Savannah, Amelia/fernandina are easy and so is St Simmons/Brunswick. All big ship inlets.

havent' tried the other ones.

if you run inside, play the tides in georgia and check out www.cruisersnet.net for the latest info.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

As usual, the major inlets are well marked and reliable. Off the cuff, the safest below Charleston would be Beaufort, Savannah River, Brunswick/St. Simon, and of course, St. Marys/Fernandina.

Before you get underway you may want to print out the USCG LOCAL Notices to mariners:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/default.htm

This is loaded with up-to-date info on the smaller inlets, many of which are basically navigable, but can shoal rapidly.

Good luck!

 

[GJH]

The aforementioned are class "A" inlets (marked and maintained for big ships). I have used Wassaw and St. Catherine's a couple of times quite happily in the past year. Both are well marked, and scenic. If you are nervous, go nearer to slack tide. I have also checked out Sapelo, which looks fine, but have not made the full transit, though shrimpers and many others go in and out of there. I have some time constraints on this year's northern journey, and may use all of these in the coming week, as much as I love the SC and GA ICW's beauty.

We had a great trip today from Addison Point (S. Titusville, at NASA Parkway bridge) to St. Augustine. I see no reason to go outside on that leg, as the ICW is pretty, straight and a minimum of speed zones. An outside trip would not save anytime, and I had been contemplating going from Ft. Pierce to Canaveral to Ponce to St. A outside after having done so from Fort Lauderdale to Ft. Pierce (which is DEFINITELY worth it). I'll decide in the morning whether to go out here to St, Mary's.. probably not as there are some beautiful stretches of ICW twixt here and there, and it is almost a straight line.

Two other Hatts here at St. Augustine Muni (do NOT stay here! Bridge construction noise all night), a beautiful 67 or so CPMY "Esprit D'IV" from Va. Beach, and a nice old 48 YF "Special K" from New Bern who I chatted with on the radio the other day.

 

[Pascal]

$3 a foot is also a good reason not to stop at St Aug. muni. in addition to the noise... the only reason is if you want to visit the old town otherwise anchoring north of SA is a better option.

hey george, I see you're on the move again... Just got into Great Kills tonight!

 

[motoryacht lover]

Thank you all for the info, it is much appreciated. Any comments on Calibouge inlet as Harbour Town would be a well timed stop for me. I realize I can go into Port Royal and take the ICW to Harbour Town but I am trying hard to avoid the ICW and all of its problems, but I won't run offshore if its iffy. Thanks again.

 

[captddis]

I have never had a problem with Calibouge. It is marked and be sure you follow the marks. They can be hard to see. I turn @ buoy #15 coming in Tybee Roads and run between the ranges on a course of 005 M. Watch the submerged breakwater. You will have to contend with the draggers too.

 

[GJH]

St. Augustine Muni is 2.25 for a boat over 50'. Should be a buck given the construction, but it is sure handy into town and a nicely run operation. I should have anchored north of the bridge but it was a long day and there weren't a lot of spots left in the anchorage, yada yada yada.. We normally skip St A and anchor off Pine Island about 10 miles north; very beautiful.

I stuck my nose out the St A inlet this morning, just for the heck of it since you are right to it anyway on the ICW. It is well marked and easy on a flood tide. We came back in because the ICW run twixt there and St. Mary's is one of our very favorites. A little while later, the Low Oil light went on the Naiads, no 3-5 beam seas for us 'til I get that one figured out. We are "pleasure boaters", in that area.

Anchored out now off Cumberland Island. Super trip so far.

 

[GJH]

In the interest of science, or something like that, we explored Sapelo Sound a little today. Wind against and ebb, not bad near the markers; looked real ugly if you went astray. Did not go all the way out to the bar, but that looked manageable through the binocs.

Currently anchored on Wahoo River, very pretty "wilderness" anchorage. Came through Little Mud River, et al, uneventfully with +4 ft tide. We are so glad we stayed inside as usual, we think this is such a beautiful and unspoiled area.