St Lucie Inlet

[FL Winds]

Folks,

I'll be bringing my boat (very first trip) to Stuart, which means I have to get through the St Lucie inlet.

Everything I read so far is pretty scary. If you have any experience with the inlet, please share.

Thanks

[captd44]

Originally Posted by FL Winds

Folks,

I'll be bringing my boat (very first trip) to Stuart, which means I have to get through the St Lucie inlet.

Everything I read so far is pretty scary. If you have any experience with the inlet, please share.

Thanks

I went out and back in about a year ago and it was fine then. The current can be very strong and there will be floating markers due to sandbars that change. I have a 4 1/2' draft. I usually watch the locals when I'm not familiar with a inlet.

[a64pilot]

The place that I slammed aground.
Not ran aground, but slammed into the sand bank, there is a left "hook" in it if your leaving that I stupidly missed, there was quite the current that made my speed over ground even higher.
Other than that, it was no worse than many other "inlets" as tide and wind can make any of them rough.

[nautical62]

On my first trip to the Bahamas my engine died, so I returned under sail including entering the St. Lucie inlet under sail. While the channel can change, in my experience they are fairly good at keeping it well marked.

As with many inlets it can get some fair sized standing waves when the tide and wind are disagreeing with each other.

[jibstay]

I would head south and go out the Lake Worth inlet. It's safer and gives you a better angle for crossing the Gulf Stream.


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[jibstay]

I misread the OP. If you're coming to Stuart from the north, come in at Fort Pierce.


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[FL Winds]

Guys, thank you for all the replies, all good stuff. I called the local BoatTowUS and the recommendations are all aligned. Follow the demarcation beware of the current and its effects and you should be fine.

I feel much better about getting in now.

Cheers

[Paul L]

Blog entry from friends who went through a few weeks ago.
member/knotdreaming/?xjMsgID
If the link doesn't go direct, then look for 4/28 date St Lucia Inlet

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by FL Winds

Folks,

I'll be bringing my boat (very first trip) to Stuart, which means I have to get through the St Lucie inlet.

Everything I read so far is pretty scary. If you have any experience with the inlet, please share.

Thanks

===

We went out a few days ago at close to high tide and never saw less than 10 feet of water, usually much more. If there is a strong easterly swell running against an ebb tide, I would avoid it and use Ft Pierce inlet instead.

[FL Winds]

Folks, after going through the St Lucie inlet 3 times now, I'd like to report back and share my experience with you.

1) The inlet is well marked with temporary markers that the US Coast Guard constantly adjusts; As other said, don't follow your instruments, follow the markers and you should be OK.
2) I passed through high and low tide; At low tide the lowest depth I observed was 7ft.
3) The biggest danger I encountered was recreational power boats of all sizes going absolutely crazy. Total disrespect for speed limits, road manners and anything else you could think of. It is a zoo!
4) The current plays a significant role, I was getting 2knots, and I know it can get even worse.
5) A big portion of the seawall on the north side collapsed, which creates a very weird current right at the entrance of the inlet. The water there rotates counter clockwise on the ebb tide. My suggestion is stay in the middle of the channel.

Thank you again for all the replies and I hope this info helps others.

Cheers

[RKsailsolo]

Very useful
Thanks for the local knowledge
My Sun Odyssey 349 shoal draft is 4'10". Sounds like it won't be an issue