Jax to West Palm Beach

[Frost]

Hey All,
I'm going to be leaving out of Jacksonville and heading for West Palm Beach sometime around the end of March/first of April. I'm wondering about the best way to get there.

1. Head offshore, but stay west of the Stream, and make it a two-day + trip
2. Offshore to the Space Coast, then duck in and ICW-it the rest of the way
3. ICW all the way
4. Other suggestions

My crew is one newbie along for the ride, me (no offshore experience but a good amount of sailing), one guy with a lot of sailing and charting experience (no offshore), and one experienced bluewater cruiser.

I just wanted to get opinions from those who have experience with this area. We will be on my boat (Island Packet 27) but this would be my first 'long' trip - long meaning more than a day-sail. I would like to go for option #1 since we have a solid boat and an experienced crew but at the same time don't want to over-do it.

Thanks,
Brandon

[never monday]

go out and stay just within sight of the coast. It's a nice ride with the right wind.

[imagine2frolic]

Catch a northern wind. Get started just as it starts, and stay out far enough where land drifts in, and out of sight. I always sail between to the 2 shoals at the cape. By the time you reach West Palm you should have one foot on the beach to stay away from any current heading north.

[Vasco]

Agree with Never Monday. Stay close inshore. Might be a good sail in March. If you want to change your mind there's lots of spots to duck in - St. Augustine, Ponce Inlet etc. If you want to motor take the ICW!

[Abaco]

With 4 guys on a 27 foot boat, I'd want to get there the fastest way possible! On the more serious side, make sure your knot meter (log) is working so you can measure current or counter current when compared to your speed over the bottom provided by GPS. A water temperature guage will also help you tell when you are in or out of the stream.

Bon Voyage...

[PBzeer]

Jax to Fort Pierce is an overnight run and then a days run to Lake Worth, staying just off the coast. I'd suggest ducking in at Fort Pierce (a good inlet) for an overnight, as you would probably hit Lake Worth just at or after dark going straight through.

[Frost]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we will probably stay a few miles off the coast and duck in for evenings on the hook. Totally excited as this will be my first sailing experience that involves a destination other than where I left from!