Melbourne FL

[CaptainRic]

I live on the intracoastal in Melbourne, FL. It is great for a motorboat but the Indian River is wide here and the fetch (and being a lee shore) make it untenable to dock a sailboat. So I am looking to make a move to housing where I can dock a yet to be aquired sailboat. Is anyone familiar with the depths on the various canals of the Banana River between Pineda and Dragon Point? How about the Indian River Isles subdivision?

Know this is kind of a localized post but any info is appreciated.

Ric

[Talbot]

send a pm to Rickm505 as he lives in that area

[will n]

I'd be interested in knowing also as I may be moving to Melbourne in a few months.

Fair Winds,

Will

[Tropic Cat]

Talbot emailed me and asked me to respond to your posts.

I live in Merrit Island, and use Diamond 99, in Melbourne, FL as my marina. The good captain is correct, any marina on the mainland is in fact a Lee shore, but.... it's only applicable in a hurricane category 3 or above. Any winds less than that can easily be handled by any marina or mooring in the area. As for the banana river...ummmm no, too shallow. However, south of Mather's bridge to Dragon point is excellent but ususally full.

As for the Cocoa Beach or Patrick shores canals, they will do just fine, just make sure your mast height is less than 42 feet or you will have a very short sailing itinerary.(520 and Pineda , bridge height)

If you moor, reduce the fetch by mooring on the east side of the Lagoon. If you are getting a catamaran, tie the bow to shore. If you'd like an up to date chart of the area, I believe I have them in jpg or pdf format. All depths are marked.

For hurricanes there are options. The first is check at Waterline marina, as it's on the Eau Galle river and is a hurricane hole. Last time I checked they didn't have a slip wide enough for my cat.

Second option. Regardless of where you dock your boat, head for any marina on the barge canal when we receive a hurricane warning. They have a spotless record during our tough season and are open to any and all boats.... for a fee of course... Last hurricane I paid $200.00 for a 3 day visit. It was money well spent.

Third option. Moor out, but know what you're doing.

Fourth option -- run from a hurricane

If you have any other questions, post them tonight and I'll answer immediately, or they'll have to wait til monday.

Rick in Florida

[Talbot]

Thank you Rick

[Tropic Cat]

Happy to help.... Well, I'm off to the the Bahamas for a long weekend...

Rick in Florida

[Ram]

Rick are you coming down to make the crossing from W. palm beach?
Ram

[Tropic Cat]

Ram,

I'm doing the crossing the old fashioned way... Carnival Cruise Lines!!! I'm taking my Lady for a well earned pampering and R&R!!

[Ram]

haha you got me there , I somehow thought you were taking your boat accross! Have fun!
Ram

[Talbot]

I'm off to the the Bahamas for a long weekend

I didnt want to know that

Have a good time!

[CaptainK]

Good luck with your voyage, Rick.

[CaptainRic]

Hey, my thread got highjacked! j/k

Thanks Talbot and Rick. Actually I live about a mile south of Diamond 99(or whatever it is now). I am directly west of marker 100, the red flashing tripod. My goal is to have a home with a sheltered dock. As far as the Banana River goes mast height is not a problem from Pineda south as Mathers bridge opens. I was specifically interested in those homes along Grand Canal and the other canals throughout IHB and Satellite Beach off the Banana. I see some fairly big boats in there. Also the Indian River Isles canals north of Pineda on the mainland. I have a feeling you won't know 'cause their kind of narrow for cats but thanks anyway. I'll buy you a beer at Katanna's sometime. Enjoy the trip.

Ric

[Tropic Cat]

I'm back..... nice trip but too short. It was a little bumpy on the way home as we had a north wind against the gulf stream.

Good luck house shopping from the Pineda south. As for Katanas, a very kind offer as it's our home away from home.

For all you Cat owners, I didn't see any catamaran cruisers in Nassau harbor!! I went looking for them in a hired horse and carriage thinking I'd snap some photos. Perhaps they've found some harbors slightly less traveled?

Rick in Florida

[CaptainRic]

If there are no cats in Nassau, that says something good for cat owners! It's a good place to stop on the way to the Exumas and that's about it.

I guess by saying "good luck" on Pineda south, you think it's all to shallow? The first house south of Mathers (blue tri-level) has about 12' and is for sale for 1.6 million. Even with the appreciation on my house that's more than I want to spend!

I'll look for you at Katannas. My wife and I are there a lot also.

Are Ed and David Carter still at the marina?

Ric

[Tropic Cat]

Ed and Betty Carter sold the marina and their home last November and have retired. They are sorely missed.

Dave still has his shop there but I'm not sure for how much longer. I understand he's a very good diesel guy, and he's done some work on my engines. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in some time.

Rick in Florida