ICW Ft Pierce to Jacksonville?

[soopad00pa]

Offer accepted on a mid 80s Catalina 30 pending sea trial. I need to bring it up from Ft Pierce, FL to Jacksonville and was planning on taking the ICW, mostly Indian River, in early December.

I imagine I'll motor a lot, tho if the wind is good, I'll absolutely take advantage of it. Any idea how long this trip is? Google maps says it's about 225 miles.

Anything I should be on the lookout for? Transient hazards not on the charts? Weird shoaling areas?

Thanks!

[pesarsten]

I usually figure about 50 miles / day on the AICW although the short days in December may cut that own I would figure maybe 6 days without weather delays for a leisurely trip.

[soopad00pa]

Originally Posted by pesarsten

I usually figure about 50 miles / day on the AICW although the short days in December may cut that own I would figure maybe 6 days without weather delays for a leisurely trip.

Thanks. That seems reasonable, but I hope to make it a little quicker. I'll save the leisure for when I get home.

[Captain Bill]

There are two shoaling areas i worry about. The first one is around Live oak point where the north channel from Ponce inlet joins the ICW. There are movable buoys there and because of the two channels the marks can be confusing. I once touched bottom there because the ICW channel actually went into the inlet channel in kind of a dogleg and I missed one of the buoys. Get the latest local info from the LNM. The other is near Matanzas inlet where there is a similar issue. At St Augustine inlet be very careful about the markers where the inlet channel and the ICW channel meet. If you mistake an inlet red for an ICW red you will be on the wrong side of the marker and get up close and personal with a sandbar. Those are the only areas where I've seen issues.

[soopad00pa]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

Those are the only areas where I've seen issues.

Excellent info, thanks!

[pesarsten]

Please post after you make the move and let us know if you had any problems.
Safe trip to you

[sinnerman]

Check the condition of the upper shroud chain plates (attaches the shrouds to the hull) before you go. Crevice corrosion just below the deck caused one of mine to fail on first sail.

Also condition of cockpit scupper hoses, (located under the steering gear). No one looks at these.

[soopad00pa]

Good call on the hoses - I'll look.

All new standing rigging, chainplates, and mast in 2017 and it looks like it's still holding up. One of the selling points on the boat, for sure.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

There are two shoaling areas i worry about. The first one is around Live oak point where the north channel from Ponce inlet joins the ICW. There are movable buoys there and because of the two channels the marks can be confusing. I once touched bottom there because the ICW channel actually went into the inlet channel in kind of a dogleg and I missed one of the buoys. Get the latest local info from the LNM. The other is near Matanzas inlet where there is a similar issue. At St Augustine inlet be very careful about the markers where the inlet channel and the ICW channel meet. If you mistake an inlet red for an ICW red you will be on the wrong side of the marker and get up close and personal with a sandbar. Those are the only areas where I've seen issues.

A couple of years ago I ran hard aground at the south channel from Ponce inlet meets the ICW. Was dead center channel headed north passing red 18 and stuck hard in about 4' of of mud. When I finally got off had to pass about 15' from the marker to see deep water.

I understand that area has been dredged but would pass carefully just in case.

[Flatswing]

Get Aquamaps on your phone or tablet. Blow $10 for the masters version with USACE Sonar data. Download Bob’s 423 track. Will get u through all the skinny parts & give Waterways Guide & Active Captain data. Moreover, Aquamaps now gives you AICW mileage wherever you tap on map - very quick to calculate actual rather than line of site mileage on the ditch

[Hudson Force]

I agree with Captain Bill,- 'he knows the spots! If the vessel has sat for some time (or even not) it would be wise to check the fuel filters and have some spares.
...and pay more attention to the real world than that magenta line on the chart plotter!

[rwidman]

The red markers are on the mainland (west) side. The green markers or on the ocean (east) side. Stay between them and you will be fine.

The ICW is measured in statute miles and you can look in guide books to find the "mile marker" for each city. Subtract the smaller one from the larger one and you will know the distance between the two.

[twig]

I second aqua maps and bob423 tracks and you will have no problems. I wouldn’t do any icw with over a 5 foot draft without it.

[soopad00pa]

I've navionics on my phone, but I'll definitely grab aquamaps. Sounds like just the ticket.

I draw 4 1/2 and I think I have a 42ft air draft.

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I'm sure it'll come in handy!

[Kngunn]

Since the boat is new to you and you will be doing a lot of motoring, you need to go thru that Universal diesel with a fine tooth comb.

1. check fuel system from tank to injectors. Look for sludge/biologics in the tank, water separator, and filter. Get extra filters for the trip. Lots of motion after sitting for a long while can stir up junk that will clog filters and stop the engine at the worst possible time.
2. change oil/filter in engine.
3. Go through the raw water side of the cooling system from through hull to water lift with a fine tooth comb. Clear stainer, put in a new impeller and get a spare, check the heat exchanger for salt/mineral deposits, change the pencil zinc. Those Cat 30s have small Heat exchangers, so any restriction will cause overheating.
4. Have fun. Should be a good trip.