St Lucie Inlet

[1solosailor]

Does anyone have any local knowledge on the St Lucie inlet?
My charts are not showing me any depths right at the inlet. I draw 5 foot 6 inches and am wondering if there is enough water for me to exit the inlet into the Atlantic.

Thanks in advance

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, solo'.

The St. Lucie Inlet has a reputation for being one of the most treacherous in Florida.

Sinking or severe damaging of vessels, injuries, and even deaths have occured here. Many losses have been caused by engine failure at critical times, poor judgement on the part of the boat operator, or lack of local knowledge of tides, [continually shifting] shoaling, and other conditions.
In fact, the U.S.C.G recommends that those without local knowledge not attempt the inlet.

See:
SAFE BOATING THROUGH THE ST. LUCIE INLET
➥ https://www.floridaocean.org/sites/d...ucie-inlet.pdf

And:
Saint Lucie River depth map (nautical chart)
➥ https://usa.fishermap.org/depth-map/sent-lucie-river/

Or:
ST LUCIE INLET INSET 3 (Marine Chart : US11428_P2930)
➥ ST LUCIE INLET INSET 3 (Marine Chart : US11428_P2930) | Nautical Charts App

➥ ST LUCIE INLET INSET 4 (Marine Chart : US11472_P2931) | Nautical Charts App

[1solosailor]

Thank you

[Sun and Moon]

I draw 4.5 ft and I've been through St Lucie. If I remember correctly, channel depths are 15+ ft. While St. Lucie does have a reputation and I wouldn't want to be in any inlet in a hurricane, it is not difficult in decent weather. It is subject to strong currents, so if you are nervous about those, time your exit for slack tide.

Personally, I am more afraid of St. Augustine with its complicated channels and shifting sand bars than I am of St. Lucie, which is well marked and direct.

What boat do you have?

[1solosailor]

I have a mariner 39
I'm not worried about current as much as depth
I did St Augustine last month and it was straight forward, the have there channel well marked and 9 feet was there shallowest we saw.
Thanks so much for your input

[MicHughV]

I have done the St. Lucie inlet one time. I did it by following another boat, that knew the inlet well. I would not do it on my own.

West Palm inlet is just down the road, that would be my choice.

[1solosailor]

I'm in the St Lucie canal headed to west palm

[1solosailor]

Hello all
Just an update.
I found out, from a local, that the St Lucie inlet was dredged last October/ November. He told me the depths were good and the channel was well marked.
Given this information I decided to exit the St Lucie inlet, the channel was well marked indeed and the depths ranged from 11.6 to 22 feet all the way out so lots of water for my 5'6" draft.
Made it out to the Atlantic with no drama whatsoever��
Just wanted to thank everyone for their input.
Happy new year to you all and fair wins in 22