Info on St. Augustine Inlet

[Dolby]

Im sitting in Savannah and thinking of heading out and then back in @ St Aug...I have about 5 ft draft...looking for anyone who has used this inlet and may have some insight on how to navigate through

[eryka]

It's pretty straightforward - there are a lot of temporary cans and if you honor them you'll have plenty of water. We came through about a month ago. If you're really nervous time it for near high tide. You have about a 5-foot tidal range in St Aug.

Have a good sail!

[ebs001]

You'll want to do it in good light as the entrance is hard to see from sea otherwise. There can be a strong current so you want to go in at slack current. You especially don't want a full ebb against an East wind. Otherwise it's as eryka said prettty staight forward. We anchor on the side of Bridge of Lions that we are heading ie southside if are heading south northside if we are heading north. Either side has good holding but the north side is exposed to easterlies. The current is quite strong in both directions so be prepared for a 180 degree swing. There are good marinas with the Municipal Marina being close to the action of downtown St. Augutine but with a lot of current and there is still construction work as they tear down the temporary Bridge of Lions. The reconditioning of the Bridge of Lions has been completed and it looks fanatastic.

[xsboats]

Aside from when the winds are out of a northerly direction , I stick close to the green side on the way in. With a 6'draft, I make a point of entering the channel no later than the second pair of channel markers. There is a nasty shoal just outside of the channel to the north adjacent to the third pair. You will see the breakers.If you are staying more than a night and want to go dockside, I would recommend River's Edge Marina on the San Sebastion River.It is the closest decent marina to groceries, West Marine, and has a great restaurant/bar.

[eryka]

Originally Posted by ebs001

There can be a strong current so you want to go in at slack current. You especially don't want a full ebb against an East wind.

Excellent point. We entered and exited at slack to avoid "docking drama" and didn't even think to remind you of this caution. We stayed at the municipal marina right in the middle of downtown and were treated well. Check out the A1A Ale House if you're in the area - I'm always a sucker for microbrew beer.

[PBzeer]

Also, be aware that there is the ICW channel going off to starboard as you get inside.

The three times I have arrived and departed from there, I had little problem with the Inlet itself.

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by PBzeer

Also, be aware that there is the ICW channel going off to starboard as you get inside.

I have been in and out a couple of times on an off shore fishing boat and the crossing channels can be confusing.

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by ebs001

We anchor on the side of Bridge of Lions that we are heading ie southside if are heading south northside if we are heading north. Either side has good holding but the north side is exposed to easterlies.

Slightly off topic...

I heard that the city was putting in several mooring fields and will no longer allowing anchoring. Have you heard any more on this? Do you have any comments?
Sorry about the thread hijack.

[eryka]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Slightly off topic...

I heard that the city was putting in several mooring fields and will no longer allowing anchoring. Have you heard any more on this? Do you have any comments?
Sorry about the thread hijack.

Apparently they've been saying this for some time. I asked the dockmaster about this when we were there last month and he said they'd be going in this summer. But then again, when I asked him the same question last fall, he said they were putting them in last winter. <*sigh*>

[PBzeer]

That's good to know,even if inexact. Anchoring, at least on the north side of the Bridge of Lions can be a bit frustrating if you aren't quite adept at it.