Captain With Over 25 Years Of Experience Runs Aground

[Brian Degulis]

Yeah he's got a plan to dredge the entire thing and it will be paid for by owners of boats 55' and larger!!! Something about spreading the mud?

Brian

 

[Sparky1]

About running 200 Mi per day I have done that more than once and burned only about 2 gal/day up and down the coast. Oh yeah I never ran inside as the draft was over 8 feet and the mast height over 85. I bet if someone wanted to run at hull speed 200 miles a day it could be done.

My dock neighbor used to run about 150 miles a day in his nordy.

Heck, I averaged 100 miles or better per day on one engine with my 58. Then again, my definition of day is daylight hours and I had better than 12 per day during the summer. No way could I have averaged 100 miles if I'd run the ICW after crossing the Gulf from Clearwater.

When we ran that 70 from Charleston to Ft Myers, we ran outside as to avoid all the ICW obstacles such as narrow channels and no wake zones until we got to Savannah. The only reason we came in then was because of the elderly owner who wasn't comfortable running outside. No way would I run inside unless I absolutely had to. It's like taking US70 when I-40 is right there alongside.

 

[Pascal]

well, it can obvioulsy be done succesfully and on schedule. In what some consider the worst section, Savannah to St Simmons, i was behind the 145' Westport Fighting Irish. yep, 145' ... he wasn't afraid of running the ditch.

it all comes down to choices. it's much easier to run outside if the weather cooperates, but the ditch is feasible with a 6' draft. At this time of the year though, it can get nasty outside adn running the ditch is easier on the boat... winds were over 20 kts on many of the days and i heard quite a few sportfishes trying to get reports on conditions, many coming back in.

can't compare the gulf in summer with the carolinas in november.

What No Wake Zones? except for south florida, mostly from Boca Raton on down, there are very few NWZ in the ICW... There are few near marinas and docks in the carolinas but that amount to under 5% of the ICW. not a factor. Narrow channels? it's not that narrow... you just have to do your homework and pay attention. Miss a marker, or get to close to the edge and yes, you will get in trouble.

on the upside, it is a beautiful run. Nice scenery, always different. very enjoyable. Just like some people prefer the backroads to interstates...

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have only made the trip once. From Tampa, across Lake O, and up to Annapolis in 10 days. That was back in 1984 and even then we bumped bottom once in that cut where the artillery zone is (I can't remember the name since it's been over 20 years ago). It was a nice trip, but we pushed it hard from sunup to sunset running at 16kts to do it. I would love to do the trip again, but at a more relaxed pace.

I'm sure once the socialists mandate that everyone gets a 3 month paid vacation each year, I'll be able to give it go.

 

[jlightonjr]

1st, let me say that we "touched ground" a couple of times during our boating life, no worries, it happens.

2nd Sky, it is high time for you to make the trip back down and I will personally crew for you, free of charge even! Skip dry storage next winter and bring your beauty on down!

 

[Skip]

30 years ago I was transiting from Philly to Mayport in a 36 ft wooden Chris Craft with my wife and 2 young kids. I ran aground at Hell's Gate, Georgia. A day marker was missing (previously hit by a boat I found out later), and I kept going straight instead of turning.

I put a kedge anchor out towards the deep water and waited. My wife, from Montana, and not much of a swimmer, noticed the boat leaning towards starboard. About two hours later we had a 30 degree list, and her eyes were as big as saucers. She made a few comments about my nautical skills and asked where the life jackets were for her and the children.

Six hours later we floated off the sand bar. Both engines started and ran beautifully for a minute or two until the sand ingested into the cooling system caused some fan belts to jump out of their sprockets. It was a fun day...

 

[BUSTER]

well, it can obvioulsy be done succesfully and on schedule. In what some consider the worst section, Savannah to St Simmons, i was behind the 145' Westport Fighting Irish. yep, 145' ... he wasn't afraid of running the ditch.

it all comes down to choices. it's much easier to run outside if the weather cooperates, but the ditch is feasible with a 6' draft. At this time of the year though, it can get nasty outside adn running the ditch is easier on the boat... winds were over 20 kts on many of the days and i heard quite a few sportfishes trying to get reports on conditions, many coming back in.

can't compare the gulf in summer with the carolinas in november.

What No Wake Zones? except for south florida, mostly from Boca Raton on down, there are very few NWZ in the ICW... There are few near marinas and docks in the carolinas but that amount to under 5% of the ICW. not a factor. Narrow channels? it's not that narrow... you just have to do your homework and pay attention. Miss a marker, or get to close to the edge and yes, you will get in trouble.

on the upside, it is a beautiful run. Nice scenery, always different. very enjoyable. Just like some people prefer the backroads to interstates...

Gee.....I thought I was the only one that did not slow down in Oct or later for an empty backyard dock with a (no wake sign) tacked on it.lol!

Seriously though,it is quite easy to lose a distant daymark in the colorful foilage and the now,low bright sun.

I went amud once in 32 trips from Ct to Fl and back.........hey it happens. Thank God It was slow and only mud.

 

[SCALAWAG]

I just wanted to say it is something to bump bottom the filling it gives you the first time or two you do it. The keys are great for doing it . The banks in the islands are always fun. It happens to me sometimes in Miami cutting corners from stilts ville . I think Pascal did the right thing by stopping. Only the guy driving knows when to stop by how hard the bottom fills.

 

[hyperfishing]

As a licensed captain, I am proud that my vessel has never run aground on trips between NY and Florida.........................................on a trailer!

Having seen Pascal dock singlehanded in 50 knot winds, avoid having his boat lose anchorage in the same winds, and then he looked at several vessels in the mangroves with a puzzled expression "what is the problem here", I can vouch for his skills.

 

[Freeebird]

I don't know why, but I was just thinking about ole' Sparky this morning. I sorta miss him.

 

[Robby]

Hey Randy--Oh never mind!!!

 

[jim rosenthal]

Look in the mirror. Maybe you can find him there.

 

[Freeebird]

Nothing gets by you doc.

 

[rsmith]

Just like you Motor Barge types to be pounding your chests about how hard you anual trip to the fuel dock was. What a bunch of overstuffed blowhards!!! George even bloviated on if we had "his experience" only half a brain would be needed to putt up and down the ICW.
In my experience the hand of fate usualy smacks down the arrogant,blowhards and fools.

 

[captainwjm]

"Just like you Motor Barge types to be pounding your chests about how hard you anual trip to the fuel dock was."

LOL!

 

[ron6785]

Runaground Ron here, ran aground twice yesterday from St. Augustine to Fernandena Beach both Gps show 15 ft. Was on a rising tide so went below fixed a sandwich popped a beer and had a nice lunch 45 minutes later she floated free. Could have backed off but it was time for lunch.

 

[bigbill]

i always did like your way of thinking ron

 

[motoryacht lover]

Rsmith,

It is hard to believe you have not been smitten by the hand of fate. You are most definetely 2 of the 3. Probably not a fool but arrogant and blowhard for sure. Just a few posts ago you regaled us with a story of your own ramboesque hereoics. After risking life and limb and defying mother nature you rescued your boat during a hurrincane no less and then while suffering a blow that would have befallen Hercules himself you then stitched your own wound. Talk about chest beating. If it is true, so be it, but to find the need to post it on the internet. Whew. I bet your Dad could beat up all of our Dads.

 

[Freeebird]

 

[rsmith]

Rsmith,

It is hard to believe you have not been smitten by the hand of fate. You are most definetely 2 of the 3. Probably not a fool but arrogant and blowhard for sure. Just a few posts ago you regaled us with a story of your own ramboesque hereoics. After risking life and limb and defying mother nature you rescued your boat during a hurrincane no less and then while suffering a blow that would have befallen Hercules himself you then stitched your own wound. Talk about chest beating. If it is true, so be it, but to find the need to post it on the internet. Whew. I bet your Dad could beat up all of our Dads.

Actually he's 85 and could still wip your butt. Motorbarge boy.