We get an early start and are underway at 0645. We have trouble spots to get past which require a little tide timing. The first one was at Cumberland Dividings. The tide was near the bottom, but we followed other cruisers advice and stayed uncomfortably close to shore (15 -20 yards) and managed to find deep enough water to pass through.
We reach the tidal current line between rivers/inlets and pick up speed. In fact we did so well, we reached the next trouble spot, Jekyll Creek, only a couple hours after the bottom of the tide. This creek is so bad you need to be ¾ high rising to safely transit with our boats draft. To kill some time we stopped just before the bad stretch at the Jekyll Harbor Marina. We filled one 5 gal. jug with diesel fuel and then went to lunch at the on-site SeaJay’s Waterfront Café & Pub. We had a couple of brews and a great lunch. By the time we were finished, the creek water was up enough to continue on.
On we went. I started calling it “Motor Jibbing”. That’s motor running with the jib rolled out to get a little boost to our speed. We motor jibbed across St. Simons Sound and then up the Mackay River to Wallys Leg where we stopped for the night.
What a difference a few months make. We froze our butts off in Wallys Leg back in December and tonight we are sleeping under sheets with upper 60s for temperatures.
Location: Wallys Leg, GA - MM 665
Distance Traveled: 46 mi
April 21, 2010 - Day 6
We get underway about 0700 heading for the GA/FL line or somewhere close. Nothing much to report on. It’s a typical day of motoring, motoring, motoring with nothing outstanding to see or write about.
We pass Fernandina Beach and continue on into that hell hole called GA. We anchor off the seadock at Cumberland Island. The wind is expected to be light so the only concern is the usual fast moving current associated with the large tide swing.
Good bye FL, hello GA.
Location: Cumberland Island GA, Just North of the GA/FL line - MM 711
Distance Traveled: 54 mi
We pass Fernandina Beach and continue on into that hell hole called GA. We anchor off the seadock at Cumberland Island. The wind is expected to be light so the only concern is the usual fast moving current associated with the large tide swing.
Good bye FL, hello GA.
Location: Cumberland Island GA, Just North of the GA/FL line - MM 711
Distance Traveled: 54 mi
April 20, 2010
I’m up at my usual 0600 and make coffee. Our departure will be late to get a better timing on the tide at Matanzas Inlet. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then start preparing the boat for departure.
Donna found out the Space Shuttle was landing and went onto the dock to see if she can spot it. There were several people dockside looking for it too. Donna got to see the shuttle, but I did not. We both heard the double sonic boom as the shuttle entered the atmosphere and slowed down.
We get away from the dock about 0945 proceed with little haste towards the foreboding inlet and its reported shallow waters. We arrive about 2 hours before high tide and find the marks have all been repositioned and look nothing like the chart. We follow the marks and find deep water all the way except for one spot which would be less than 5 feet at MLW. We hustle on toward St. Augustine while giving thanks for a safe passage.
Once through St. Augustine we sail up the Tomoka River against the tide and reach our anchorage for the evening. We find 3 sailboats and a trawler already there and all the prime spots taken. We take the last spot, out near the channel and drop the hook at 1700. Two other trawlers came later, looked for a spot, but finally gave up and proceeded back down river looking for an anchorage.
A little wine, cheese, crackers and an apple make for an excellent happy hour as we watched the daylight fade.
Location: Pine Island, South of Jacksonville, FL - MM 765
Started: 0945 Stopped: 1700
Distance Traveled: 38 mi
Donna found out the Space Shuttle was landing and went onto the dock to see if she can spot it. There were several people dockside looking for it too. Donna got to see the shuttle, but I did not. We both heard the double sonic boom as the shuttle entered the atmosphere and slowed down.
We get away from the dock about 0945 proceed with little haste towards the foreboding inlet and its reported shallow waters. We arrive about 2 hours before high tide and find the marks have all been repositioned and look nothing like the chart. We follow the marks and find deep water all the way except for one spot which would be less than 5 feet at MLW. We hustle on toward St. Augustine while giving thanks for a safe passage.
Once through St. Augustine we sail up the Tomoka River against the tide and reach our anchorage for the evening. We find 3 sailboats and a trawler already there and all the prime spots taken. We take the last spot, out near the channel and drop the hook at 1700. Two other trawlers came later, looked for a spot, but finally gave up and proceeded back down river looking for an anchorage.
A little wine, cheese, crackers and an apple make for an excellent happy hour as we watched the daylight fade.
Location: Pine Island, South of Jacksonville, FL - MM 765
Started: 0945 Stopped: 1700
Distance Traveled: 38 mi
April 19, 2010
We got a great start on the day with the anchor up at 0705. The rest of the day was spent fighting the tidal current and wind on the nose. Try as we might, there was just no way to make passage through a real trouble spot at a safe tide level. Fort Matanzas Inlet area is shoaling badly and we had difficulty getting through back in December. Cautionary advise says to transit at high tide or at least on the rising tide. Our arrival there would have been on the bottom side of the falling tide so we opted to stop at Palm Coast Marina. The good thing is we were on the pier with shore power and hot showers.
We enjoyed the facilities and down time at Palm Coast. We even got some laundry done. Buddy was not too happy as he is not allowed on deck when we are pier side as he will jump ship.Tomorrow we will be leaving late morning to time arrival at Fort Matanzas just before high tide. Hopefully we will make safe passage.
Location: Palm Coast Marina, MM 803
Started: 0705 Stopped: 1430
Distance Traveled: 28 mi
April 18, 2010
The light breeze that was noticeable only occasionally was always on the nose so there was no jib sailing. The rain finally got to us as we approached New Smyrna Beach. It sprinkled on and off all the way to Daytona Beach.
We had to go real slow through the Haul Over Canal from the Indian River to Mosquito Lagoon. There were a couple of manatees just swimming along in front of us and there wasn’t room to pass them. It looked like it was a momma and a young one. They were so neat to watch, we forgot to take pictures for a while and when we got the camera out, they seemed to disappear.
When we reached Daytona Beach, we decided to stop as there are not too many anchorages beyond for several miles. We dropped the anchor at 1600 and just chilled for a bit.
This anchorage, which is only about 100 yards off the channel, gets a bit rough when the local Johnny Rockets come through the channel at 25+. Donna was none too happy when she was boiling pasta and we got waked big time.
The new Rocna anchor is working great. It sets quickly and solidly. Makes you feel more confident about the set when you try to sleep through the night. It almost makes you feel as secure as hanging on a mooring ball.
Location: Anchored off Daytona Beach, MM 831
Started: 0730 Stopped: 1600
Distance Traveled: 47 mi, Avg Spd: 5.5
April 17, 2010
Tried to do better on leaving early and what do you get? An even later departure. Oh Well, the day was sunny and warm but there was also no wind. Without the wind we did not make good time and distance.
There were lots of boats traveling the ICW, both snowbirds and locals. We did a lot of slowing down to allow faster boats to pass without waking us too bad. Of course there were lots of locals who just blasted by you and could care less about their wake and what it did to you.
We reached Titusville and decided to stop as there are not too many anchorage spots beyond for several miles. We dropped the anchor at 1530 just in time for happy hour.
There was a carnival on shore and bands were playing. We could hear them real good. Some were quite good and others made you want to just groan.
Later, Donna performed her culinary magic and we dined on garlic & cheese sausages, three bean salad and apple sauce. Tomorrow we push for Daytona Beach.
Location: Anchored off Titusville Municipal Marina, MM 878
Started: 0815 Stopped: 1530
Distance Traveled: 41 mi, Avg Spd: 5.6
There were lots of boats traveling the ICW, both snowbirds and locals. We did a lot of slowing down to allow faster boats to pass without waking us too bad. Of course there were lots of locals who just blasted by you and could care less about their wake and what it did to you.
We reached Titusville and decided to stop as there are not too many anchorage spots beyond for several miles. We dropped the anchor at 1530 just in time for happy hour.
There was a carnival on shore and bands were playing. We could hear them real good. Some were quite good and others made you want to just groan.
Later, Donna performed her culinary magic and we dined on garlic & cheese sausages, three bean salad and apple sauce. Tomorrow we push for Daytona Beach.
Location: Anchored off Titusville Municipal Marina, MM 878
Started: 0815 Stopped: 1530
Distance Traveled: 41 mi, Avg Spd: 5.6
April 16, 2010 - The Journey Home Begins
We drop the mooring line at 0745...later than planned as usual. The one thing we are consistent about is getting a late start.
The morning is cool and winds are from the east at 15 mph. The wind is on the nose as we head down the St. Lucie River towards the Crossroads and the ICW. Once we make the turn northward, the east wind gives us a nice broad reach to fly the jib as we motor the narrow channel. We reach boat speeds up to 8.2 mph and make good time and distance.
The plan was to stop at Jones Fruit Dock or a nearby anchorage but it was so early in the day we decided to keep moving hoping to reach Rocky Point or Melbourne. Instead of dying in the afternoon, the wind persisted and actually increased a little. When we reached Rocky Point the wave fetch across the river nixed anchoring in the open there so we continued on. The GPS predicted we would reach Melbourne about 30 minutes before sunset. We actually arrived about 15 minutes before and dropped the hook in the quiet lee of the bridge causeway. Probably our best distance day ever with 78 miles. It was great, but very long day.
Location: Anchored near the Melbourne High Rise Bridge, Melbourne, FL MM 918
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1930
Distance Traveled: 78 mi
The morning is cool and winds are from the east at 15 mph. The wind is on the nose as we head down the St. Lucie River towards the Crossroads and the ICW. Once we make the turn northward, the east wind gives us a nice broad reach to fly the jib as we motor the narrow channel. We reach boat speeds up to 8.2 mph and make good time and distance.
The plan was to stop at Jones Fruit Dock or a nearby anchorage but it was so early in the day we decided to keep moving hoping to reach Rocky Point or Melbourne. Instead of dying in the afternoon, the wind persisted and actually increased a little. When we reached Rocky Point the wave fetch across the river nixed anchoring in the open there so we continued on. The GPS predicted we would reach Melbourne about 30 minutes before sunset. We actually arrived about 15 minutes before and dropped the hook in the quiet lee of the bridge causeway. Probably our best distance day ever with 78 miles. It was great, but very long day.
Location: Anchored near the Melbourne High Rise Bridge, Melbourne, FL MM 918
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1930
Distance Traveled: 78 mi
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