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AST · 16-11-2023, 15:42

hi folks,
We will be docking tomorrow at isle of hope marina on the ICW in Georgia. We are heading south to Miami and have been on traveling on the ICW since Wilmington NC.
I would like to go on the outside in Georgia. The boat is Island Packet 29 (4.5' draft), and there are 2 of us. We are not experience sailers. We have captained charter sailboat in Turkey and Croatia several times.
Can you pls help with the following questions
1- is Ossabaw inlet safe to leave from? This coming Saturday (11/18)
2- Can I take the north channel or, do I need to go through Hell Gate to go out of Ossabaw inlet
3- Do you think Saturday and Sunday would be a good forecast to go out (given our experience)?
4- which inlet can we tuck into if needed? Would sapelo sound be a good option?
Thanks in advance.

Kettlewell · 16-11-2023, 16:04

Why not go out Wassaw Sound? Deep, wide, and easy. Saturday looks better than Sunday, but should be pretty good for running down the coast. The NE winds should switch to E and ease off Sunday night. I'd shoot for Fernandina Beach/St. Mary's River if you can. Nice anchorage up by Cumberland Island. St. Simon's is probably the best inlet between where you are and the St. Mary's River.

AST · 16-11-2023, 17:08

There seems to be something north of St. Marys enterance. Navioncs auto route, wants me to go further offshore. Is this a restricted area or something like that?

OutOfControl · 16-11-2023, 21:14

National Weather Service Forecast

AMZ470-472-171115
Waters from Altamaha Sound GA to Fernandina Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM
Waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM
842 PM EST Thu Nov 16 2023

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

REST OF TONIGHT
East northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with occasional gusts to Gale Force possible. Seas 8 to 11 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms.

FRIDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 9 to 12 feet with a dominant period of 11 seconds. Showers likely. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning.

FRIDAY NIGHT
North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 7 to 10 feet with a dominant period of 10 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the evening.

SATURDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 6 to 8 feet with a dominant period of 9 seconds.

SATURDAY NIGHT
North winds around 10 knots. Seas 5 to 6 feet with a dominant period of 9 seconds.

SUNDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 9 seconds.

SUNDAY NIGHT
East winds around 10 knots, becoming southeast after midnight. Seas 4 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 9 9 seconds.

MONDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet. A slight chance of showers.

MONDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet. A slight chance of showers after midnight.

TUESDAY
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet. A chance of showers.

TUESDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Winds and seas higher in and near thunderstorms.

You might want to hunker down for a few days or continue south in the ICW.
The tides have been very high this past week, which may help with the shoaling issue in Georgia.

Kettlewell · 17-11-2023, 04:22

Quote:

There seems to be something north of St. Marys enterance. Navioncs auto route, wants me to go further offshore. Is this a restricted area or something like that?

It's hard to tell without looking at the actual route. Keep in mind there are breakwaters extending out quite a ways at the St. Mary's entrance. Don't be surprised if you see a big nuclear submarine headed into or out of the St. Mary's River. There's a big sub base up river at King's Bay.

sailnext67713 · 17-11-2023, 05:13

Interesting timing on this post, we're in the same area anchored on the Skidaway River waiting for the same weather window. We're also new sailors and unfortunately to tall for the inside, so waiting for a good window to go outside headed for St. Augustine as our next stop.

Our plan was to head out Wassaw tomorrow (Saturday) morning, but now considering Sunday to let the waters calm down a bit more with this passing weather.

gonesail · 17-11-2023, 05:29

hell gate is the worst of the GA ICW .. i ran aground there with 4.5 feet. the massive storm that just passed thru will probably have the offshore waters pretty messed up. good luck.

AST · 17-11-2023, 08:15

What is your draft? I will PM you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailnext67713

Interesting timing on this post, we're in the same area anchored on the Skidaway River waiting for the same weather window. We're also new sailors and unfortunately to tall for the inside, so waiting for a good window to go outside headed for St. Augustine as our next stop.

Our plan was to head out Wassaw tomorrow (Saturday) morning, but now considering Sunday to let the waters calm down a bit more with this passing weather.

OutOfControl · 17-11-2023, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

It's hard to tell without looking at the actual route. Keep in mind there are breakwaters extending out quite a ways at the St. Mary's entrance. Don't be surprised if you see a big nuclear submarine headed into or out of the St. Mary's River. There's a big sub base up river at King's Bay.

Like Kettlewell posted, the jettys both north and south of the St. Marys River extend out 1 mile or more from shore. We usually go fishing at the tip of the south jetty and the end marker was missing last time I went out there. The inlet itself is well marked and very deep, just don't try and short cut it in, there has been quite a few accidents by both power and sail boats.

Scrimshaw4 · 17-11-2023, 12:24

FYI: The St. Augustine inlet can get VERY rough and is notorious for shifting shoals. Highly reccomend you do it only at slack tide during daylight hours. When the tide is running the current can be very strong through out the area, particularly through the inlet with steep 5'+ standing waves. Wind vs. tide is the worst! It continues to be strong once inside as well. JMHO

Kettlewell · 17-11-2023, 12:30

Quote:

FYI: The St. Augustine inlet can get VERY rough and is notorious for shifting shoals. Highly reccomend you do it only at slack tide during daylight hours. When the tide is running the current can be very strong through out the area, particularly through the inlet with steep 5'+ standing waves. Wind vs. tide is the worst! It continues to be strong once inside as well. JMHO

I came in the St. Augustine Inlet in perfect conditions once, but it wasn't easy to perceive the route and there were breakers on either side. Not to be trifled with.