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Old 11-04-2012, 16:36   #1
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Southbound near Gulfstream?

I'm in Charleston SC, southbound, and tired of the ditch. Is there a feasible southbound route, given that the Gulfstream is lurking offshore, to get to St. Johns entrance in N. Florida? I'm especially leery of the GA portion of the ICW, given my 5' draft on a monohull sailboat. I've already had several brushes with shoaling inside the marked boundaries of the ICW. I saw one post that suggested staying just outside the surf line in Florida. Does the same advice apply in SC and GA?
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Old 11-04-2012, 16:47   #2
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Re: Southbound near Gulfstream?

I don't think I would stay just outside the surf line. The Gulf Stream is quite a ways off the South Carolina and Georgia coast. IF THE WEATHER IS GOOD you can go out side at Charleston and almost head directly for the St. Johns River. Do not cut the St. Mary's River entrance too close since there are submerged jetties. If you follow the coast line just stand a couple of miles off. There are a few buoys along the coast so make sure you know where you are, we passed a couple that were unlit. Also watch out for small fishing boats at night. Chuck
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Old 11-04-2012, 18:05   #3
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Re: Southbound near Gulfstream?

Are you sure you were in the center of the channel? 6 foot draft should not be a problem. However there is a counter current all the way to south of canaveral. You don't have to be in the surf. I went south to Ft Lauderdale last fall and had current in my favor way past Jax. The gulf stream is about 70 miles off Jax and at least 30 miles off of Charleston. I ran sea buoy to sea buoy with an offset to avoid running into boats running a reciprocal course (it happens).
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Old 11-04-2012, 18:22   #4
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Re: Southbound near Gulfstream?

Second the recommendation to cut straight across from Charleston. The Stream is far enough offshore that you will not have to worry about it.

But also second looking out for the buoys. There are numerous unlit buoys marking fish havens and such all along the east coast, some several miles offshore. Made me nervous until I knew I was past each one.
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