From Annapolis to Jacksonville

[fabrik]

Is to late to leave from dec 15 from annapolis to jacksonville what should i expect

thanks a newbi

[Cheechako]

Inside or outside?

[fabrik]

a bit of both

and wondering time it takes its a 380 hunter

[btrayfors]

Weather in December is unpredictable. Sometimes it's fine. Some days will be spring-like. Other times, it's terrible. Very windy, extremely cold, snow and ice.

The time it takes to Jacksonville will be dependent almost totally on the weather. If you've got lots of time and can pick your weather, it's not too bad most years. But, if you're on a tight schedule, it's a crap shoot. You pays your money and takes your chances :-)

Two to three weeks would be an "average" fast trip. But, it could be much more, depending on weather.

Bill

[Cheechako]

Yeah, there are people that are more experienced with the outside than me (did it once). But I would be real cautious going outside from Norfolk around Hatteras and south a bit. I got spanked real hard in october. No prediction at all.

[S/V Antares]

I just returned to Annapolis last week after taking my boat a bit south of Jax. It will be Cold. Do you have a full encloseure? The daylight is limited. 9-10 hrs max. Get up in the dark and get going at first light. The chesapeke is the most difficult run... get it over as soon as possible.

Did I mention cold?

[fabrik]

hum well now have to find a good captain to come with me

[fabrik]

yes i have full enclosure

will try if i can to go before the 16 dec
thanks for all your input

[UWOA]

I did it last year right after Thanksgiving on a Hunter 42CC, going down the Chesapeake and then the ICW. Stayed in marinas every night because of the cold. Wouldn't wait too long after Thanksgiving though to avoid icing up your lines, etc. As it was I ran into some icing conditions on Pamlico sound in December. I agree on avoiding Hatteras on the outside, with the weather you're probably asking for trouble, and with your draft you should only have to be careful on a few spots on the ICW. Use Active Captain or the cruise.net to give you a headsup on those spots (mostly in Georgia).

Good luck and have a safe trip.

[S/V Antares]

What is your boat?

The ICW is a breeze. If your draft is less than 7 ft you should have no problems. It is nearly the same distance on the inside aas the outside unless you are going overnights it is not worth it. Great places to visit on the inside, even in winter.

[S/V Antares]

If you are in Annapolis and would like to go over the ICW charts I have made the trip more than a dozen times and I would be available to do so. PM me for contact info. Will

[dennisjay]

December has the shortest days of the year, light-wise, so you're mileage in the ICW will be limited. I just came back from a run from Annapolis to Charleston, and it wasn't bad. Having a portable propane heater on board helped. If weather permits, go outside at Beaufort inlet to St. Marys. Did that earlier this year and it only took 60 hours. Good luck.

[jmackay]

I did Norfolk to St. Augustine two weeks ago and it took 5 days outside. If I were doing it in Dec. I would probably do the ditch to Beuford but I have never done the ICW. Last year we were a month later and it was cold. I don't have an enclosure so getting to Florida as fast as possible is always important so being able to sail 24hrs a day is my first choice.

[fabrik]

i guess it will be exciting it will be my first time for this trip i just bought a boat in annapolis and i want to bring it in a warmer climate

[bchaps]

Fabrik...My wife and I made the trip last year in mid-December. The ICW can be thought of as a "school". Your mind and sight must be focused on markers, currents, depths, channels, and traffic 100% of the time. Speaking from experience, not thinking for just a moment can cause a grounding. While exiting the ICW at Wrightsville Beach, I nearly took the wrong side of a buoy, not realizing it was an inlet and the marker colors reversed. When the water began disappearing, I did a panic reverse stop and my wife called for local information. Waiting for bridge openings while contending with current, wind, shallow water, and impatient power boaters can be a white knuckle experience also. What I'm telling you is the ICW can be quite challenging if you are a relatively new sailor.

When the weather was good, we went outside...what a difference! Sailing actually became fun. However as others have mentioned, weather fronts can change quickly. We had 5-6 foot waves breaking at an angle to our stern while coming in at Georgetown. It was a "pucker-factor" of 8 for what seemed at least a half hour until I cleared the deteriorated rock jetty. Fortunately that occurred on the return trip when our boat handling skills were slightly improved.

The difficulty for a new sailor is obtaining experience without having an accident. But, you can not gain experience without being exposed to a variety of circumstances that can be quite intimidating. Books can't cover these things...the only other way is having an experienced person at your side to alert you before the situation becomes a crisis. My recommendation is practice, practice, practice.


Stay alert, be safe, and have some fun, too.

Bill