Port Canaveral to St Augustine

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

It's also easier (at least for me) to remain alert at night if I'm running the markers vs running open ocean. You also feel like you're actually moving vs feeling like a bobbing beer bottle. Gaining experience in operating on the ocean is best done in daylight, but if you do have 2-3 foot seas, that's not going to do much for you in terms of experience with a 53. Again, whatever floats your boat.

Exactly. You get the inside figured out, day and night, and everything is easier. Outside is boring. If it's not boring, you're probably having a rough time.



Here are the markers that need a chart correction (especially at night) from last week's LNM.

You might consult Active Captain for additional shoaling information.

 

[Freeebird]

This site really does need a like button. One other thing you may want to consider (and your wife will be able to give you insight on this), it's easier to become seasick at night given it's more difficult (if not impossible) to see the horizon. You won't find my old ass on a roller coaster (didn't even like them as a kid), but I'm fortunate in that I've never had a problem with seasickness. I actually enjoy big water, when I'm not sideways in it running 10 knots. Lots of folks aren't that lucky, and it's miserable when you're committed to running outside.

 

[Photolomy]

Thanks for the replies, even Freebird's suggestion that I rent an RV and take 95. We will keep the river as option B if the weather turns crappy by Friday, though I doubt I will do the whole trip at night that way, since I haven't even done it in the day. Right now it is 2 - 3 ft and closer to 45 deg at our stern. I don't know if that helps or hurts, yet. I will take plenty of pictures.

 

[Freeebird]

Rock and roll... dude!

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Thanks for the replies, even Freebird's suggestion that I rent an RV and take 95. We will keep the river as option B if the weather turns crappy by Friday, though I doubt I will do the whole trip at night that way, since I haven't even done it in the day. Right now it is 2 - 3 ft and closer to 45 deg at our stern. I don't know if that helps or hurts, yet. I will take plenty of pictures.

The word is wallow. You'll do better to get your speed up a bit in a following sea.

I was on a Navy P-3 Orion way back when doing a low level from Charleston to Pensacola. A guy got sick in the back. Pretty soon the smell reached the cockpit and it became unanimous--everybody was sick. I'm not prone, but others are. Now, I take a pill beforehand.

BTW, what exit?

 

[Photolomy]

Update. Weather still looking great for the leg up to St Augustine via ocean, 2ft and less most of the way, but coming back Sunday/Monday looking rougher, 4 to 6 ft and rain. Thus, we will come back via ICW. We can leave a little earlier Sunday, and complete the rest of the trip Monday. Anything to watch for on that route (from St Augustine to Melbourne on ICW)?

 

[Freeebird]

Seems to me you have your route backwards if you want to get some ocean experience.

 

[Reefgeorge]

There is shoaling with and without dredging in some spots that can make the usual 7-10’ a little hairy. The mariner updates that Robert is pointing at will help you understand those critical areas. My last experience will not be useful to you because it changes constantly. Also there are a few narrow canal portions that do not have no wake signs and there are some boat owners who watch for any plowing and will get on you if your not minimal wake. I believe Ormond Beach was such a place.

George

 

[Walter P]

I made that run up and down quite a few times over the years and I tend to agree with George that if
conditions are suitable the ocean route is the way to do it. By all means do the inside passage at least
once to experience different sights, but be aware that it takes a good deal more time and aggravation
from no wake areas, traffic etc. Although I did the trips on MY's, I almost always ran on plane as these
were destination trips and time was important. I always liked being offshore running the autopilot with
both hands free while enjoying some fresh steamed shrimp and a can of ginger ale. I will admit however
that it can be much more boring after a while because I didn't have the "excitement" of running aground
or getting yelled at if your speed happens to exceed idle. Oh well, to each his own. The main thing is
safety should be the main consideration so if conditions offshore are predicted to be snotty, it would
definitely be more prudent to run inside.

Walt

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Anything to watch for on that route (from St Augustine to Melbourne on ICW)?

Yeeaah. LNM and Active Captain as previously posted. Will you recognize a bifurcated channel marker when you encounter one? There are two along your route.

 

[Freeebird]

I made that run up and down quite a few times over the years and I tend to agree with George that if
conditions are suitable the ocean route is the way to do it. By all means do the inside passage at least
once to experience different sights, but be aware that it takes a good deal more time and aggravation
from no wake areas, traffic etc. Although I did the trips on MY's, I almost always ran on plane as these
were destination trips and time was important. I always liked being offshore running the autopilot with
both hands free while enjoying some fresh steamed shrimp and a can of ginger ale. I will admit however
that it can be much more boring after a while because I didn't have the "excitement" of running aground
or getting yelled at if your speed happens to exceed idle. Oh well, to each his own. The main thing is
safety should be the main consideration so if conditions offshore are predicted to be snotty, it would
definitely be more prudent to run inside.

Walt

You have to keep in mind he's not going to be running on plane. I hope he does make it a circle route with flat seas as I'd bet inside may even be faster/shorter in this case.

 

[Photolomy]

We are about 20 miles north of the center right now. Everything went smooth down the river through the lock and out the inlet. A little rough heading to our spot at Hetzel shoal, because of the angle we had to run, but we made it there. However, anchoring was a disaster. We were able to anchor ok (20 ft of water there) and laid out enough chain (I have 200 ft), but because of the Gulf Stream and the direction of the waves, the waves (2 and 3 ft) were hitting us in the beam and we were rolling more than I have ever rolled. This was the only time so far anything fell. It was impressive rolling. Anyways, we gave up anchoring and are on our way to St Augustine. Everyone wanted to get top the nearest inlet, but I told them to hold on, once we can drive again, and we are not at such an angle trying to get to the shoal to watch the launch, it would smooth out, and it did. I played with the speed a bit to time the waves, we are in mostly a following sea now, and a little bit of tacking, from time to time, and everyone is happy. Most are sleeping right now because of the chaos of docking. So, we won't see the launch, but the rest of the trip is looking up.

What should I have done at the shoal to park? We had plenty or rode, but the current was such that it kept the boat 90 degrees to the waves. I had thought, and told everyone, once we docked it would be better because the anchor would keep the bow pointed at the waves, but it was much worse. Is there any way to anchor or park in that scenario?

 

[kelpy]

You will still see the launch if it goes off on schedule.You are at the mercy of the wind, waves and current when trying to anchor out there. Not much you could do otherwise. It is still much better than being on the ICW. Enjoy the voyage.

 

[Freeebird]

We are about 20 miles north of the center right now. Everything went smooth down the river through the lock and out the inlet. A little rough heading to our spot at Hetzel shoal, because of the angle we had to run, but we made it there. However, anchoring was a disaster. We were able to anchor ok (20 ft of water there) and laid out enough chain (I have 200 ft), but because of the Gulf Stream and the direction of the waves, the waves (2 and 3 ft) were hitting us in the beam and we were rolling more than I have ever rolled. This was the only time so far anything fell. It was impressive rolling. Anyways, we gave up anchoring and are on our way to St Augustine. Everyone wanted to get top the nearest inlet, but I told them to hold on, once we can drive again, and we are not at such an angle trying to get to the shoal to watch the launch, it would smooth out, and it did. I played with the speed a bit to time the waves, we are in mostly a following sea now, and a little bit of tacking, from time to time, and everyone is happy. Most are sleeping right now because of the chaos of docking. So, we won't see the launch, but the rest of the trip is looking up.

What should I have done at the shoal to park? We had plenty or rode, but the current was such that it kept the boat 90 degrees to the waves. I had thought, and told everyone, once we docked it would be better because the anchor would keep the bow pointed at the waves, but it was much worse. Is there any way to anchor or park in that scenario?

Bow into the waves and set a stern anchor... or run the ICW when you want to watch a launch.

 

[shallowskiff]

Good info here thank for sharing.

 

[Freeebird]

You will still see the launch if it goes off on schedule.You are at the mercy of the wind, waves and current when trying to anchor out there. Not much you could do otherwise. It is still much better than being on the ICW. Enjoy the voyage.

Yes, I'm stirring the pot here a little, but explain how being, "at the mercy of the wind, waves, and current when trying to anchor out there", is better than being on the ICW where none of that is an issue.

 

[Photolomy]

Other than the anchoring, this is a lot of fun. And now, after just 4 hours, I know exactly what I would have done different for the launch. These waves are not that hard to ride. Had I known what I know now, I could have plotted a different course that would have gotten us to where we needed, on time for the launch, without anchoring, and with calmness. I understand that you like riding down the river more than the ocean, but I don't understand why you evangelize what is nothing more than your personal taste. Next you will try to convince me that your favorite color should be my favorite color. There are a lot of boats out here and most of them are smaller than mine. Maybe they just like it out here. It is kind of nice in open blue water. And this was to be an overnight ocean journey for the experience. I don't believe many people ride these boats in the river at night. At least I don't see them do it down here.

 

[Photolomy]

And I am not driving, my 15 year old son is driving. We have been about 5 miles off shore the whole way. That works well because it give you enough room to find the groove and allows you to tack a little when necessary. The rest of the crew (there are 7 of us on board), who wanted to mutiny during the anchoring, are cooking steaks. Lastly, I have to give a shout out to the Wave WiFi antenna. It has worked 100% at the 4 marinas I have used it so far, and 100% offshore via my iPhone.

I appreciate the advice, but saying that the ocean is different than the river would have sufficed. I do agree that you drive the ocean when you need to. And wanting to be in the ocean is a need.

 

[Photolomy]

Arrived safe and sound. Meant to arrive later in the morning, when it was light, but since we didn't wait for the launch, we were many hours ahead of schedule. So not only first time driving at night, but also first time entering an unknown marina at night and finding an anchorage (the City Marina never responded to our hail, even though I called earlier and told them we would be early). We are anchored right in front of the fort. We will be here a couple days and then back home via the ICW.

 

[whoover]

Well I for one am a little envious. As long as everyone is safe and feel good you are doing what having a boat is all about, the journey. You are getting experience. It's 30 degrees here with a chance of snow so even with a dicey anchoring it sounds like your having way more fun.

Enjoy
Walt Hoover