ICW from West Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale

[carlylelk]

We have a 6'-8" draft and are thinking about going down the ICW from WPB to Ft. Lauderdale. Active Captain lists a shoal area around the Boynton Inlet.

Are there any others people can alert us to?

Is a 6'-8" draft reasonable for the trip?

Thanks,
Duane

[Vasco]

The bit at Boynton Inlet is not too bad. At least 7 or 8 feet there, close to the red buoy. If I remember right there are no fixed bridges on this stretch so you might be ok as far as air draft goes.

[Hudson Force]

The last few times I passed Boynton Inlet on the ICW the shoaling was clearly marked and a simple deviation from the straight line. 'just be alert for any small cans and nuns. I have far less draft, but I don't recall any drastic reduction from the controlling depth if you're mindful of the markers.

There must be about twenty bridges to open on this stretch. I'm never troubled by timing with bridges, but some people find this annoying.

It's not a bad ride offshore if you stay closer to shore, maybe around the fifty foot depth, to catch a bit of counter current from the Gulfstream. Sometimes this counter current fails to be well established or I just lose it!

It can be far more reliable to catch a better current northbound further offshore.

[Snore]

Why???? Unless you are into waiting for bridges --- great boat handling practice--- go outside, run south along the 60' line and pop back in.

[KneadingWater]

Snore???

Does that noise "bring gator"?
Hi!

KW

[tdh1849]

This time of the year the wind is primarily from the north/northeast so sailing on the outside would put you on a beam reach, making the trip very doable.
Also the Gulf Stream comes in closer near Palm Beach so be aware of that if you see your speed slowing.
Its a nice trip, have done it several times with no problems, both inside and on the outside but I draw 4 ft. 6...............
Good sailing.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by carlylelk

We have a 6'-8" draft and are thinking about going down the ICW from WPB to Ft. Lauderdale. Active Captain lists a shoal area around the Boynton Inlet.

Are there any others people can alert us to?

Is a 6'-8" draft reasonable for the trip?

Thanks,
Duane

I assume you intend on motoring with that draft and in the ditch. I would think the outside would be more enjoyable not having to watch the markers and your sounder constantly? JMHO Enjoy yourself either way.

[sailorman7225]

The outside run is very easy. The number of delays from bridges increase the closer to Miami you get.

[Tom and Maje]

We did it when we didn't know any better. I wouldn't do it again. You will spend most of your time waiting for bridges. Going on the outside is much faster and easier.

Maje

[Hudson Force]

We sometimes go inside. 'depends on the purpose, - we have friends that we meet at Veteran's Park in Delray Beach and we stop at friend's docks in Pelican Harbor & Middle River. It's my "home town" area so the agenda is different. We can take a few days inside this stretch.

[Vasco]

We don't mind this stretch. My wife loves to look at the houses. The bridges aren't too bad. If you can do 6 and a bit you'll hit most of them without much delay. A couple of decent anchorages on the way if you want to stop. A few interesting little towns.

[onavegador]

I made it with sailboat having 7ft draft. As we sailed with much caution regarding the depth the many draw bridges what open only on the hour or half an hour, or not during rush hours, made the trip unpleasant.
The next times I sailed offshore what was always fast. With a good chart on hand you can sail near shore where you have not full Gulf stream against you but even favorable returning (eddy current?). Also near shore the waves are not unpleasant with the wind against current as more offshore where the current against strong wind is dangerous.

[captstu]

Veterans Park in Delray Beach is closed. Delray Beach has joined the Wii hate boat club in southern Florida you could no longer tied up at the dock.