Delivery from Brunswick to Daytona

[Afrinus]

Depending on the weather We plan to move our Cabo Rico 38 (5 foot draught) to Daytona in November.

The plan is to go outside (618) really want the sailing opportunity 's motoring in the ICW) and come in at Ponce Dr Leon inlet at New Smyrna.

A few questions comes to mind.

Is this the best inlet to use? If anything better, please tell me why you would not use Ponce.
Please share some insights about navigating the inlet - should I plan for high tide?
Any recent knowledge in who along after Mathew?

Looking at the charts, after entry one can go immediately north, go west or go south.
The west channel looks too shallow and the north seems strangely void of markers.
The plan is to go south first and then turn and follow the main channel back north.
This plan right now is only based on not seeing channel markers in the North channel - Any thoughts here.

Thanks

Pete
SV Calypso Poet

[Lowcountry]

Ponce looks sketchy to me, and I've never used it. I'd rather use St. Augustine and go down icw to get to Daytona.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

Ponce looks sketchy to me, and I've never used it. I'd rather use St. Augustine and go down icw to get to Daytona.

===

Both Ponce and St Augustine can be sketchy if there is a large easterly swell and an outgoing tide. It would be dangerous to attempt either one in those conditions. I'd leave your options open and call SeaTow when you get close to St Augustine and ask for their opinion. If they think it's safe, and they're not too busy, they might even come out and escort you in.

[Afrinus]

Originally Posted by wayne.b

===

Both Ponce and St Augustine can be sketchy if there is a large easterly swell and an outgoing tide. It would be dangerous to attempt either one in those conditions. I'd leave your options open and call SeaTow when you get close to St Augustine and ask for their opinion. If they think it's safe, and they're not too busy, they might even come out and escort you in.

Thanks Wayne.
I definitely will check on the escort option.
I'm a member of BoatUS (with towing insurance)
Hopefully they will also support.


Pete

[Vasco]

I have not been through Ponce but every time I go by I see sailboats from Daytona using the inlet so it must be ok. I'd touch base with TowboatUS before entering the inlet. It can get a bit slow going up the Halifax River on the ebb. Nearly a three knot current when you get towards Dunlawton Av. Bridge (Port Orange) .

St. Augustine is a bit iffy after Matthew ( I hear) but my main objection would be the 50 odd mile trip south from St. Augustine to Daytona. Why go north and then have to head back south?

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Vasco

-----St. Augustine is a bit iffy after Matthew ( I hear) but my main objection would be the 50 odd mile trip south from St. Augustine to Daytona. Why go north and then have to head back south?

???
Brunswick to St. Augustine to Daytona is all in a southerly direction.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Afrinus

-----

Is this the best inlet to use? -----

Looking at the charts, after entry one can go immediately north, go west or go south.
The west channel looks too shallow and the north seems strangely void of markers.
The plan is to go south first and then turn and follow the main channel back north.
This plan right now is only based on not seeing channel markers in the North channel - Any thoughts here.
-----

Afrinus -

The only real worry about using St. Augustine Inlet is the perennial shoaling problem on the ICW in the area of Matanzas Inlet.
The inlet itself is also subject to frequent changes. As previously recommended, best to check with the local towboat service(s) for current info on those two areas.

As far as Ponce Inlet, I would say it's about the same degree of difficulty as St. Augustine. Check with the local towing service for current info.
Once you get inside the inlet I recommend going South until you reach the ICW and then turn right. There are markers at this juncture of the inlet and the ICW which are occasionally moved, which require strict attention so as to differentiate between inlet markers and ICW markers.

As you noticed, the Western direction is too shallow. There's a sandbar the locals call "disappearing island", which is quite the party spot at low tide.

Going up the North channel is not advised unless you can find a local boat with the same draft going your way. As you said, it's not well marked. When I went out that way some years ago as you left the ICW the deep water was very close to the Eastern shore. That's very with a capital "V". There are also some shallow areas to avoid where that channel meets the inlet.

If it was me I'd use Ponce Inlet on a rising tide and go South to the ICW.
Have a great trip.

[Afrinus]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Afrinus -

The only real worry about using St. Augustine Inlet is the perennial shoaling problem on the ICW in the area of Matanzas Inlet.
The inlet itself is also subject to frequent changes. As previously recommended, best to check with the local towboat service(s) for current info on those two areas.

As far as Ponce Inlet, I would say it's about the same degree of difficulty as St. Augustine. Check with the local towing service for current info.
Once you get inside the inlet I recommend going South until you reach the ICW and then turn right. There are markers at this juncture of the inlet and the ICW which are occasionally moved, which require strict attention so as to differentiate between inlet markers and ICW markers.

As you noticed, the Western direction is too shallow. There's a sandbar the locals call "disappearing island", which is quite the party spot at low tide.

Going up the North channel is not advised unless you can find a local boat with the same draft going your way. As you said, it's not well marked. When I went out that way some years ago as you left the ICW the deep water was very close to the Eastern shore. That's very with a capital "V". There are also some shallow areas to avoid where that channel meets the inlet.

If it was me I'd use Ponce Inlet on a rising tide and go South to the ICW.
Have a great trip.

Thanks Mike.
I spoke with BoatUS at Ponce.
They confirmed pretty much exactly what you said.
Also that all the markers are currently being re-placed after Mathew.
Stay about 50ft off the north jetty, go south and stay center to the markers until reaching the ICW before turning in and then back North.

I'm not a fan of the 50 miles plus in the ICW of I come in at St Augustine. In February in crewed on a delivery of a light 31ft Catalina with only 4.5 foot draft.
I stopped counting how many times we touched bottom in that boat south of St Augustine.
My boat weighs 3 times as much and draws 5 foot. I don't want to mess with that - especially after Mathew messed up everything "known".
I will wait for the rising tide (an hour or two before high) and ask BoatUS to stand by.
We will also wait for a good weather window so we don't try to come in on a strong Easterly.

Thanks for everyone's comments and advice.

Pete