Coastal Cruising - Atlantic - Late November

[Jackp]

I am heading south for the first time to winter in the Bahammas from Virginia. My plan was to go to Beufort, NC and try to head south outside to Stuart, Fla. Any suggestions on weather windows? I am anticapating 5 to 7 days in a cruising cat.

[SAMPATICO]

Suggest u leave from Ft Pierce. Stuart is quirky, river has shallows, don't know your draft.

[zeehag]

keep a weather eye out-----especially if you are leaving at this time of year.

[Tom.B]

Stay at Morehead City Yacht Basin and not the Beaufort Town Docks! (unless you are going to anchor)

[Jentine]

I strongly recommend the advice of a weather router, i.e. Chris Parker or Herb Hilgenberg. Each has a good handle on the weather and will provide excellent guidance on your southward trip.

[Bella Sera]

Have jumped off from Beaufort several times, but usually direct to Green Turtle Cay. Fort Macon is a good place to anchor if waiting for tides/current. If you do go along the coast, plenty of places along the way to duck if weather becomes an issue; have ducked in Masonborough Inlet, Winyah Bay, Charleston, Savanah River, Fernandina Beach, and St Augustine.

[chuckr]

second Jetine - the big issue is the wx -- if you have ssb you can subscribe to chris parker and it will be the best $$ you ever spent - specially if you are going to spend the winter in the bahamas as there are few if any wx broadcasts there - unless you have a sat phone or some other device
and by the way the ssb becomes the party line to find out where everyone is and if you have a problem it is your way out or in as there are lots of folks down there that have them are would be happy to help
just our thougths and yes we do subscribe to chris
chuck patty and svsoulmates
currently in cartagena colombia

[CruisingWriter]

I strongly agree with SAMPATICO. Use Fort Pierce Inlet instead of St. Lucie Inlet (near Stuart, FL). This latter seaward cut has been suffering through HUGE problems lately. Take a look at:

Cruiser's Net » Archive » Photos and Reports, St. Lucie Inlet, AICW Statute Mile 987

and

Cruiser's Net » Archive » St. Lucie Inlet NOT Recommended As Staging Site for the Bahamas (Statute Mile 988)

Good luck and good cruising!

[Skip20]

I need help in finding a marina's name and address in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Bound south, turning left out of the Coosaw R. into Brickyard Cr. one comes to Lady's Island bridge, at Beaufort, South Carolina. Just before the bridge lies Factory Creek on the left. Turning into Factory Creek, what is the name of the first marina on the right?

Any information: name, address, telephone number would be so helpful.

Thank all ya'll in advance for putting on your thinking caps. Skip

[CruisingWriter]

Hello Skip20:

You can find full details on Ladys Island Marina at:

Cruiser's Net » Archive » 36A. Ladys Island Marina

And, info on all Beaufort SC Marina faciltieis at:

Cruiser's Net » Marinas SC9 – Beaufort, SC (Statute Mile 537)

Good luck and good cruising!

[Scott730]

If you don't have a SSB onboard, you can buy a reciever for about $100, use it to listen to Chris Parkers reports, Staying just off the coast you will have no problem receiving VHF weather reports. The Gulf Stream is far enough off shore not to worry about and you may pickup a counter current to help you along. Your biggest problem will be watching for traffic. Lots of BIG boats take this route, night sailing can get interesting. Know your inlets and try not to enter with the wind against the current. Try to use class A inlets, like St. Mary, Port Canaveral, Fort Pierce, Lake Worth etc...

[AnchorageGuy]

It's been a week since the original posting and the OP has not responded to any suggestions. If he has not left yet, a good eye on Emily might be in order. Chuck

[Skip20]

Good morning Cruising Writer,
That information will help validate an article about a visit to Lady's Island Marina thirty years ago. Knowing about the Cruisers Net is invaluable for planning an upcoming trip along the ICW.
Wishing you a wonderful sailing season, Skip

[CruisingWriter]

Skip20:
You are entirely welcome. Please let us know if we can supply you with any additional data, such as anchorages, bridge schedules or how to check cruiser to cruiser information exchange ("Cruising News") on our site.

Good luck and good cruising!

[AnchorageGuy]

We lived at Lady's Island for a year and a half recently. It is the one of the best Marinas we have used and is much closer to groceries, hardware and other stores than the downtown marina in Beaufort. Great protection and a friendly staff. We highly recommend it. Chuck