Georgia for the winter?

[SVRocinante]

Good day all!

Well, it's that time of year for us - we're starting to put together our itinerary for our trip south.

We're toying with the idea of "staying" north of the florida border (give or take) this year and was wondering if any of you do the same and how you find the weather? I've checked the annual lows/highs/averges, but that's just not enough info... i.e. don't care about the odd <40° day.

BTW, this year, we are looking to spend more time at anchor, so please let us know if you spend your time at anchor or at a marina.

Thanks again,

[dennisjay]

You’ll need a heater. Can get frosty, especially at anchor. Might consider Fernandina Beach in Fla., just over the Georgia border.

[a64pilot]

At anchor? Head further South, why not?
I'm sitting out the Storm season in a Marina in Ga, but plan to head South late Winter

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

You’ll need a heater. Can get frosty, especially at anchor. Might consider Fernandina Beach in Fla., just over the Georgia border.

That we've got!
Nice Webasto diesel heater - works like a charm!

So, would Fernandina Beach, which is only a few miles south, actually be warmer than say St. Marys?

BTW, not being a smart*%@!, honestly asking!

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

At anchor? Head further South, why not?
I'm sitting out the Storm season in a Marina in Ga, but plan to head South late Winter

Honest answer? We found most of Florida to be rather non-descript, although we did enjoy Vero beach...

That said, nothing is really stopping us... if we run out of places to visit or if it does get too cold, we'll continue south until it's time to turn around and head north again!

[Plus Ten]

Consider Brunswick GA, Great Area, Marinas Available or anchor out, above 30.5 insurance cheaper, lots to do and people nice.

[Dave22q]

Be aware there tends to be a clear weather line somewhere between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Crossing it, there tends to be clear sky and warmer temperatures. To the North there is no difference between South Georgia and Jacksonville, both experience a lot more winter than Central Florida's normal 2-4 weeks of sub 40 temperatures. Your insurance carrier might care which side of the Florida line you stay on but that is generally more a hurricane season thing.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by Plus Ten

Consider Brunswick GA, Great Area, Marinas Available or anchor out, above 30.5 insurance cheaper, lots to do and people nice.

Thank you - will put it on our list... it's looking like that General area has a lot to offer... St. Simons, Jekyll, Cumberland & now Brunswick.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

Be aware there tends to be a clear weather line somewhere between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Crossing it there tends to be clear sky and warmer temperatures. To the North there is little difference between South Georgia and Jacksonville, both experience a lot more winter. Your insurance carrier might care which side of the Florida line you stay on but that is generally more a hurricane season thing.

Thank you, I was wondering if there was a "mystical" weather line to cross!

Yes, our insurance carrier cares... and no in this case, it seems to go beyond hurricane season. Once we cross into florida, I need to call them and alter our policy, then when we head north, I call them and change it again - nuts!

[SVRocinante]

From the looks of it, we'll most likely "wing it" as we always have!
We'll plan to stay in the Georgia / Northern Florida area, but if it gets to cold, we'll simply continue further south.

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by SVRocinante

That we've got!
Nice Webasto diesel heater - works like a charm!

So, would Fernandina Beach, which is only a few miles south, actually be warmer than say St. Marys?

If you are thinking of Saint Marys - the town is still there but hurricane Irma took all the docks and the marina out. I understand that it is a mess right now with many boats sunk.

I usually hang out in Titusville, FL for the winter myself bu Florida seems to be becoming less and less boat friendly.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[flyingfin]

Yes, there is a line but it is not mystical. It is located at CAPE CANAVERAL!. North Florida and South Georgia have nasty, cold, windy winters. Why would you not run another day or two south and be in the sub-tropics. Make sure you get to Titusville, Cocoa or Melbourne. The Indian River south of Cocoa is the best place to hide from winter, yet be close enough to warm beach weather

[marujo.sortudo]

We spent a winter in Georgia years ago. Great rural cruising there. Occasional nasty squalls or thunderstorms. One I recall blew 60kts probably. Such great bird watching. Loved the barrier islands. Our favorite spot on the east coast after Maine.

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by svfinlandia

If you are thinking of Saint Marys - the town is still there but hurricane Irma took all the docks and the marina out. I understand that it is a mess right now with many boats sunk.

I usually hang out in Titusville, FL for the winter myself bu Florida seems to be becoming less and less boat friendly.

Al, S/V Finlandia

Thanks for the info!
Thinking that's going to be the case in a lot of areas as folks rebuild/recover... will have to play it by ear.

Originally Posted by flyingfin

Yes, there is a line but it is not mystical. It is located at CAPE CANAVERAL!. North Florida and South Georgia have nasty, cold, windy winters. Why would you not run another day or two south and be in the sub-tropics. Make sure you get to Titusville, Cocoa or Melbourne. The Indian River south of Cocoa is the best place to hide from winter, yet be close enough to warm beach weather

I was being somewhat facetious with my "mystical" comment, but thank you for clarifying. Yes, we might run further south, but as to why not, simply to cruise a different area... spent a few months down in the keys last time & it really didn't do much for us... simply personal preference.

Originally Posted by marujo.sortudo

We spent a winter in Georgia years ago. Great rural cruising there. Occasional nasty squalls or thunderstorms. One I recall blew 60kts probably. Such great bird watching. Loved the barrier islands. Our favorite spot on the east coast after Maine.

Thank you - the funny thing is, that on our first trip south everyone we met told us to avoid Georgia; boring, nothing to see, etc... we, of course, had to see for ourselves & loved it!

[a64pilot]

I'm in Brunswick, and from what I can tell the anchorages are few, far between and not well protected with little if any land access etc.
Nice Marina, but if ain't cheap, it is compared to S Fl. But not compared to the Panhandle. Point being is it may get more expensive, the further South you go.