Coastal Limits of a 22

[Angelgal918]

Hey guys,
So I was tentatively planning a trip from Ft. Lauderdale to the Florida Keys in my Southcoast 22. Albeit, it needs some work, but that's mostly interior. I recommended it to my commodore, and she discussed it with various sources who said due to currents that "it just wasn't feasible".

Will somebody please tell me why? I have a lot of faith in my boat and don't like to hear trashtalk unless it's well-founded in safety concerns.

Thanks!
Betsy

[Sailormon6]

This is a two-pronged question. Is the boat up to the trip, and are you up to the trip.

I have cruised the Fla. west coast ICW a lot, but not the east coast, so I'll let someone else give their opinion about the boat and the currents, except to say that, if the east coast is anything like the west coast, the boat should be up to it.

The big question is whether you are up to it. How much sailing experience do you have? Have you ever cruised the ICW before? Do you know the basic right of way rules Can you read a chart or gps? Do you know basic line of sight navigation? Have you sailed in big winds? Do you know how to anchor securely? Can you handle a sailboat in all conditions?

You don't have to be a highly skilled sailor to travel on the ICW, but you do need basic skills. If you have those skills, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go, and have a great time.

[sailingdog]

Are you sure it is a Southcoast 22?? IIRC, Carl Alberg designed a South Coast 21 and a South Coast 23. Both were fairly solid and seaworthy designs for their size. If you have the time and the patience to wait for proper weather windows... I think you should be able to do this.

[RXBOT]

There were 3000 of the Alberg derived 22's. Later there was a Murray designed 22. They are both swing keel. I think the Murray a little more suitable but she probably has the Alberg derived model.

[Mechsmith]

No problem, I did it last year in a Seafarer 29 (from St. Lucie)but I also have a Seafarer 22 and I wouldn't worry too much. There are a lot of places to duck into and you can take the ICW if there is more wind than you like outside. We did it about 1/2 outside and 1/2 inside. If the wind is wrong for outside you can motor inside. Lots of bridges from Palm Beach south but they are pretty well timed and I seldom had to wait more than a few minutes for one. Just keep in mind that Haulover Inlet is only 30 foot bridge clearance but there is room to hide between the inlet and the bridge if you have to. All in all it was a pleasant trip. We ended up in Key West and back the other side to Flamingo then home to Ft Myers. If you have time then the circumnavigation of South Florida and back through the Okeechobee Waterway is a good trip.

[WesAllen]

I want to take the trip starting in Ft. Myers and go east then down to Key West then back to Ft. Myers with my Catalina 25. March/April time frame. Would apreciate any pointers.

[Mechsmith]

Wonderful trip.
I just wrote a long post but it went up in cyberspace.
Visit Campgrounds or anchorages, Franklin Lock,Ortona, Moorehaven,Peck Lake, Peanut Island, John Pennekamp, Boot Key Harbor, Garrison Bight, Flamingo. Shark River mouth, Behind Pavillion Key,

The book "Anchorages along the Intracoastal waterway" is useful.

Visit Stuart(Manatee Pocket), Largo, Garrison bight, and Everglades City for resupply, You usually have a daily choice as to go inside or outside except at Naples. (low bridges) No fuel at John Pennekamp. There was no Watertaxi at Garrison Bight last April. Slips are expensive but they have a reasonable dinghy dock and mooring field. If you don't have a dinghy Key West is generally a PITA or the pocketbook.

For a bit of an adventure spend a night tied to one of the mooring balls on the reef at John Pennekamp. Free!!

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by Angelgal918

Hey guys,
So I was tentatively planning a trip from Ft. Lauderdale to the Florida Keys in my Southcoast 22.....
Thanks!
Betsy

'Not only feasiable, but very casual. Here's the "cockpit potato" route:
1- Select a good weather and favorable wind day to take the 20 mile or 24 mile day trip from Port Everglades inlet to Governor's Cut or just south of Key Biscayne, by your choice. Stay within a couple miles from shore so you won't be fighting the stronger Gulfstream current. Anchor in the Marine Stadium or west of Key Biscayne.
2- Sail south in Biscayne Bay to anchor at Pumpkin Key.
3- Choose fair weather route to Ley Largo by passing through Angelfish Creek to Hawk's chanel or the more conservative route through the Bridge at Jewfish Creek on the ICW. Anchor off Hawk's Chanel at Rodrequiz Key with good weather or on the protected Bayside anchor in Tarpon Basin or Sunset Cove.
4-Continuing on the Hawk's chanel side there are good stops at Travenier (anchor); inside the fixed bridge 65' at Long Key (anchor at Lower Matecumbe Bight); Marathon (anchor or mooring); Newfound Harbor (anchor); Key West
4-If choosing Bayside,- Plantation Key-Cowpens (anchor), Lower Matecumbe Bight, Marathon...and cut back to Hawk's chanel for Newfound Harbor or choose the longer wilderness route out Big Spanish Chanel and the
outside path in the Bay to the NW Chanel to Key West.

The path that is most convenient & conservative would be "inside" from Miami to Marathon & "outside" from Lauderdale to Miami & Marathon to Key West, while always giving up a day for bad weather. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew