A little advice needed for ICW weekend

S

Sheepshead

New member
So, I've been planning to cruise down the Intracoastal for Memorial day weekend for awhile now.
However, the weather is looking pretty crummy.....rainy / stormy.
I know to watch the seas and make good judgement calls for getting into bigger waters, but would you hesitate to take your c dory in rain storms?

I was planning to leave from Bluffton SC on Friday afternoon, then hit Isle of Hope, Darien, then St Marys and back..... staying overnight at marinas along the way.
I have two bige pumps, radio, gps, bimini top and sea tow membership.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
 
Sunday looks like the worst day with south wind to 20 knots, 4'-5' predicted. Be careful in the sounds, especially Ossobaw Sound and St Catherines Sound. That's lot of open water and little protection. Both you'll have to cross in the ICW. it would be best to cross those right at high tide, or completely low tide if its windy. With the tide ebbing and the wind predicted those sounds will be rough. Most of that trip is protected water so it wont be bad at all I wouldn't think. That's a really long trip you proposed though! The Georgia coast is only 100 miles by car down the I-95, but along the twisting ICW at 17 mph its a at least twice that.

We're contemplating getting out there this weekend too, but haven't committed to it yet. We might just trailer the boat down to Darien, dock up on the waterfront and eat seafood and drink beer all weekend
:beer
 
I just made this run yesterday, but northbound. The sounds are your only open water, but even when they’re nasty, just slow to 10-15 and bob along. They’re not anything like the gulf or the Chesapeake, probably no more than 8-10 miles each of exposed water. As long as your equipment is reliable and you have good chart plotter and a VHF, have fun!
I’m at Fort McAllister GA, isle of hope wants $250/week for a 23’ Venture, but I’m sure it’s REAL nice! Fort McAllister is $276/month.

I ran from Amelia Island to FT McA in one day. 7.1 hrs averaging 17 mph
121miles. It was actually a ton of fun.
 
Thanks for the replies.
I'm feeling much better about the trip now. Weather is also looking a little better for my first two planned stops.
Happy Memorial day C Brats!
 
I think I'll be leaving Charleston on Sunday...Savannah then back...may keep on to St Augustin.
My first trip on new Venture 23 "Eressëa".
 
I’d be interested to see how the Honda performs compared to the Suzuki 150.
I left my Venture at FtMcallister Marina, I’ll resume Loop in a couple weeks.
I’m fairly heavy loaded, cruising at 21-22 mph, 3750-3800rpm and burning about 4.3 gph.
 
Well, we made it successfully.... mostly anyway.
We cruised to Isle of Hope Marina from Bluffton on Friday afternoon.
Next morning, we headed to Darien with no real issues. Doboy sound was a little rough though. Wind directly against us throughout the day. We cruised an average 15 mph.
From Darien after lunch at Skippers, we took a little creek - "General's cut" over to the Altamaha river and docked up at Two way fish camp. Really cool, relaxed place with a backwoods feel to it. Awesome seafood and very friendly people at the bar / restaurant.
Sunday morning, we ventured further south. A couple of really sketchy sound crossings on this day, with the last one before Jekyll scaring us into calling it our midpoint of the trip. It appeared to be 4 - 5 ft waves with about 25 ft between. Being new to the boat, I didnt like that feeling especially with gray/rainy skies overhead. So a rainy night was spent at Jekyll island marina.
Had to call it there in order to get back to Hilton Head for work by Wednesday.

The return trip was so much easier with the wind on our backs.....cruising at 20+ mostly. We docked up at Fort McAllister marina. Saw Easy Victor's boat there too, very nice!! Beware of sandbar on approach to the marina!This was the only place where I hit bottom. Had to jump out and pull her to depth. We spotted Easy Victors 23" Venture docked up.....very nice boat you have!

What a great experience!! I've travelled the route by I-95 all my life without having seen much at all. The rivers really do broaden your perspective of places.
My favorites were:
-Isle of Hope marina. I just love that place; they had a blues band / dock party going on that night.
-Blackbeard and Sapelo island scenery. Beautiful deserted beaches with old wreckage and ballast piles all around.
On the downside:
-Horse flies were a nuisance the whole trip.
-Alberto was no friend to us.

Thanks for the encouraging advice. I actually might have backed out without it.
 
Well, we made it successfully.... mostly anyway.
We cruised to Isle of Hope Marina from Bluffton on Friday afternoon.
Next morning, we headed to Darien with no real issues. Doboy sound was a little rough though. Wind directly against us throughout the day. We cruised an average 15 mph.
From Darien after lunch at Skippers, we took a little creek - "General's cut" over to the Altamaha river and docked up at Two way fish camp. Really cool, relaxed place with a backwoods feel to it. Awesome seafood and very friendly people at the bar / restaurant.
Sunday morning, we ventured further south. A couple of really sketchy sound crossings on this day, with the last one before Jekyll scaring us into calling it our midpoint of the trip. It appeared to be 4 - 5 ft waves with about 25 ft between. Being new to the boat, I didnt like that feeling especially with gray/rainy skies overhead. So a rainy night was spent at Jekyll island marina.
Had to call it there in order to get back to Hilton Head for work by Wednesday.

The return trip was so much easier with the wind on our backs.....cruising at 20+ mostly. We docked up at Fort McAllister marina. Saw Easy Victor's boat there too, very nice!! Beware of sandbar on approach to the marina!This was the only place where I hit bottom. Had to jump out and pull her to depth. We spotted Easy Victors 23" Venture docked up.....very nice boat you have!

What a great experience!! I've travelled the route by I-95 all my life without having seen much at all. The rivers really do broaden your perspective of places.
My favorites were:
-Isle of Hope marina. I just love that place; they had a blues band / dock party going on that night.
-Blackbeard and Sapelo island scenery. Beautiful deserted beaches with old wreckage and ballast piles all around.
On the downside:
-Horse flies were a nuisance the whole trip.
-Alberto was no friend to us.

Thanks for the encouraging advice. I actually might have backed out without it.
 
Sounds like you had fun! I guess I should have mentioned the horse flies, I kept cabin door and screens closed anytime I was slower than 20mph!
Fish Tales at Ft McAllister has great food and live music th-sat.

Wish I could’ve been there to greet y’all on the way in.
 
Back
Top