Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW
I can give you some information on the run between Jax and St. Augustine, and the rest of the way to Daytona. I have made that trip many, many times and here are a few of the little things that I've picked up:
1) Make sure your maps are up to date. If you plan on running the ditch (the ICW) all the way to DB, markers are moved occasionally to accomodate changing bottom conditions. This is especially true at St. Aug inlet and Matanzas Inlet. The GPS channel isn't always perfect, so you should pay attention to the markers.
2) If you go the GPS route (marine models such as Garmin, Lowrance, etc), get the newest card they have available. Most come with a basic map built it from the factory, but the SD cards offer more info such as ramps, fuel, first aid, etc. I recommend using a GPS, especially one with a tracking feature. This leaves a dotted line wherever you go. This is especially helpful if you are returning at night or in reduced conditions and the channel markers are tough to see. Always have a set of maps as a backup. A GPS is a great feature, but it's no replacement for good navigational skills.
3) The stretch of the ICW west of Jax Landings is terribly polluted with crab traps that are in the channel. Navigating thru them is like tip-toeing thru a minefield. If you encounter them, just reduce your speed, keep to the center of the channel and watchout for floating styrofoam balls. If you happen to get wrapped up in one, it will more than likely shut the motor down. Just raise the outdrive and unwrap or cut the line off. I know that makes the crab fishermen mad, but they keep moving the traps in toward the channel...it's a price they pay.
4) Heading East/South into the ICW is a bit tricky if you've never gone thru it. The entrance to the ICW isn't marked aside from channel markers (no ICW 'this way' sign), but you'll notice a pile of rocks and a grouping of red/green channel markers. Just stay away from the rocks and in between the markers and you'll be OK. You'll see other boaters going thru there, so just follow them and you should be OK. The water swirls badly right there when the two rivers meet, especially during an incoming or outgoing tide. Just bump the throttle up a bit and maintain a straight heading. The boat will "walk" around a bit, but don't try to compensate for it. It will stay on course.
5)The stretch between Jax and St. Augustine is nice, but there's not a lot of scenery. It's only a 35 mile trip, so you can do it in a couple of hours. When approaching St. Aug, plan ahead on getting there during a dead high or dead low tide (use trip features online or on smart phone apps). You can always call ahead and they'll give you the best times. Pay close attention to the channel on the north side of the Bridge of Lions. The channel will take you towards to inlet and it will seem like you are headed to sea. It will then make a starboard turn back to the bridge. During high tide, this isn't much of an issue, but it you run outside the channel during low tide, you'll be sitting in the sand waiting for high tide.
6) Approaching the Municipal Marina (just to the south of the bridge) is best at dead high/low tide. The water comes in at a smooth 5 kts and can make it tough to tie up. It's a great marina. Call on VHF when you approach, and they'll have someone out there waiting to help you tie up. Tip well, they're really nice people. Good food, great area, easy fuel, ice, etc. They also allow transient docking for approx $2-3 per hour.
7) Maintain your VHF on 16 for the trip down. Coast Guard Jax will give frequent radio updates of any waterway obstructions/hazards along with their GPS coordinates. Just jot the numbers down so you can keep a watch in the area.
8) Want an even better ride? The run from St. Aug to Daytona is about the nicest ride around, except for south Florida. The waterway narrows down to approx 150' and you'll ride slowly by some multi million dollar homes. Most people sitting on their docks, waving. Just be respectful of their boats and seawalls and keep off plane. Some nice places to eat as well as a few bed & breakfasts.
9) If you plan on doing the Daytona to Edgewater run, it's OK. Smooth straight ride from DB to Port Orange. Then a small idle zone. Throttle back up until you can see the lighthouse at Ponce Inlet, then idle down for what seems like an eternity. It's idle all the way to New Smyrna Beach, except for a short stretch at the inlet, where I think that's the only place that should be idle zone....go figure.
10) Right at the mouth of Ponce Inlet is Disappearing Island. Get there on Saturday or Sunday and nose up on the beach and enjoy a good time. Tide change there is about 5-6', so monitor your boats depth or you'll spend 12 hours there!
I have made the trip more times than I can remember in the boat that's in my avatar. Last trip was from Daytona, up the ICW, over to the St, Johns River, and down to Lake Monroe. I did this over 3 days by myself. 252 mile start to finish.
If you plan on making the river trips, I highly recommend it. It's a beautifil way to spend the day and there are so many sights you're missing out on. Plan accordingly, bring some food, beverages, and your suntan lotion and go splash your boat. After you've completed that, I suggest driving it to Palatka and making the run south down the SJR. It's old, old Florida...the way it looked 200 years ago.
PM me if you'd like more information. Go out and enjoy your boat!
