7ft keel, biscayne bay = shady business

[natraps116]

So today we sailed from the marina Stadium in Miami port to pumpkin key. we'd made it in about 8-1/2 hours and man was it a good thing we had great wind, we were healed over most of the time because we were pulling about 1 foot under our boat for a lot of the journey, we ran aground coming right out of the channel into where pumpkin key is located but we let up all the sails and heeled the boat over and we got off. Good times. Tomorrow, onward you keylargo

[pete33458]

Were you expecting something different? That's pretty much what the charts will tell you. Honestly, there is no way I would go through Angelfish Creek with a 7' draft, at ANY time. And I am not sure where you are going in Key Largo, but the controlling depth in most inlets is 5' or less until you get to Channel 5.

pete

[Captain Bill]

If you are going through Angelfish creek you better do it on spring high tide which is tomorrow. I see only 6-6.5 when going through there within 2 hours of high tide, but I only draw 4 feet.

[onestepcsy37]

Hope you have SeaTow. And remember if you tear up the bottom their are some pretty big fines...

[natraps116]

Yeah the more I sit here the more I'm thinking about motoring north to a better outlet. The problem is all the outlets seem the same depth on my charts?

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[RichandHelen]

Unless you go all the way back up to Stiltsville... Plenty deep enough for you there.

[alexdiomedi]

With 7ft you wouldn't go any further, and do not attempt to pass Angelfish, stay out, since it does not get any better. I have a Grand Soleil with same 7ft draft and when going south I either stay out take the Hawks Channel in case i want to stay more protected. Enjoy!

[Roniszoro]

Well you've got guts or bad judgement or both. I draw 6'3' and don't go South of Elliot Key. Stiltsville, just south of Key Biscayne, is one way out and even that can get cute. I choose Miami's Government Cut and am never nervous. Then down Hawks Channel which can be a beautiful sail. I'm saving the inside route for my old age, when I have the Grand Banks.

[roland stockham]

To heel the boat to sail OFF a shoal is good seamanship but to do it to sail onto one may be considered imprudent buy you insurers or rescuers. But I love the fact that as sailors we still have the freedom to do this sort of stuff if we choose.

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by natraps116

Yeah the more I sit here the more I'm thinking about motoring north to a better outlet. The problem is all the outlets seem the same depth on my charts?

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No, Biscayne Channel is plenty deep for you (around 9' @ MLW), but you're going back almost to where you started. If you do go back that way, you might want to follow the magenta line and go through Featherbed Bank, rather than taking the more westerly option you showed on your graphic. Once you get into Hawk Channel you will have plenty of water, but there are few inlets that can take you back inside or into a harbor. Key West, Boot Key, etc.

I will restate what I said about Angelfish (and I go through there regularly); you can make it with 7', but only at dead high tide and at least +2.0. Today, you have +2.4. But the timing of the tide is very hard to judge at the point of controlling depth (which is just inside a line between #1 and #2), the nearest reference station (Ocean Reef) is miles away. And you will still be squeaking through. There are many other threads on Angelfish Creek.

Good luck... pete

[natraps116]

Yeah I chose discretion.... Thought ceasers creek would be better. No dice.ran aground and had to use dinghy to twist us off.....Now I'm heading all the way up to biscayne channel to head out. Kinda sucks.... But at least today we have northerly winds so once I get out into the ocean hopefully I can make up for lost time going wing to wing...

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[natraps116]

Yup

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[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by pete33458

Were you expecting something different? That's pretty much what the charts will tell you. Honestly, there is no way I would go through Angelfish Creek with a 7' draft, at ANY time. And I am not sure where you are going in Key Largo, but the controlling depth in most inlets is 5' or less until you get to Channel 5.

pete

Boy do I agree with this.

[Hard Rock Candy]

I only drew 36 inches, and I ran aground in the middle of Biscayne Bay. Of course, when you draw such a small amount, you have a tendency to go in shallower water. There was a sign, that I was trying to read, that said shoal When I came to a stop. They should make bigger signs Mac

[Cadence]

You have bigger balls than me to sail there with your draft. I'm not sure about your judgment. Sand bars are apparent at low tide.