First Salt Water Sail

jpturkey · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006

Here is my situation: I have been sailing for about 12 years. I started crewing on 35+ boats on Lake Superior. Then bought into a partnership on a 26 foot Lindenberg on Lake Minnetonka, the large recreational lake in suburban Minneapolis. Three years ago I bought an O'Day 192 that I trailer around the region and sail on large parts of the Mississippi, Lake Pepein, and large lakes, Mille Lacs.

Here is my question: What do I need to know about sailing off Key Largo where I have a reservation at a sailing club that offers 22' sloops as part of the rental package. I will bring my GPS, my hand held Marine radio, and cell phone. I have downloaded the keys into my maping GPS. What I do not know about is what effect tides have on sailing, and what I should know about sailing on salt water that is different than sail on large fresh water, e.g.: Lake Superior. I know that every thing is warmer and assume that is good, unless I am encountering sharks or gators and I am not on the boat.

We will be on the gulf or Florida Bay side of Key Largo and I assume the only navigation that I have to do is dead reakoning and reading the GPS. I plan to only day trip and hang very close to coast. Tell me what a northener and fresh water sailer ought to read up on before this trip.

Irwin32 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006

My first charter was in the keys. Your fresh water skills will serve you just fine - salt water sailing is really no different. I don't remember even worrying about tides, but a Florida sailor could tell you more than I. You will be fine. It is shallow and you do have to watch where you are - but a 22 probably does not draw much, so that will be a plus. As long as you stay on the inside, the water is calm.

Sailormon6 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006

I would say the tidal ranges and tidal currents are probably the main difference. If you anchor in shallow water without thinking about the tides, you can wake up to find the boat hard aground.

Also, tidal currents can make navigation and helmsmanship more difficult. On the IC Waterway, for example, you could encounter an opposing tidal current of several knots when you try to pass through a bascule bridge. I encountered a tidal current during a storm that was apparently about seven knots, because the boat would do a little over seven knots under power, and we barely made it through the bridge.

If a tidal current is running out between two islands, and you're traveling across the current, the current can carry you sideways, and, if you're not paying close attention to your course, it can carry you offcourse, into a shallow area. When you're traveling along a narrow channel, from one channel marker to the next, look over your shoulder frequently, to make sure you are on a line between the markers, and that a cross-current isn't carrying you out of the channel.

A strong incoming tidal current can also create breaking waves at any point where the bottom shoals. The most dangerous situation would be if you are trying to enter an inlet from the Gulf to a bay during heavy weather, with a strong incoming tidal current. The inlet could be impassable due to breakers. (But you're not likely to be out storm sailing on this trip, so you won't need to worry about it. )

Tides add a new dimension to sailing for inland lake sailors, but it's nothing you can't handle if you're aware of the effect they can have and keep the times of high and low tides in mind each day. Also, watch your charts carefully wherever you go, and look for places and times along your intended course where tidal range or tidal current might be a problem.

sailnaway · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006

The current is a problem in tight cuts between the center spans of bridges. The tides are not to drastic so allow for a three foot drop and you should be ok unles its a full moon then give it four feet. Squalls and deadly lightning are a fact here in the keys where I live for now and have been for a couple of years. We took a strike two years ago well $$$$$$$$$$$$.
The squals can be a danger you should reef as soon as you see one coming don't wait. I have had squals already this year thet were 65 Knots.
Best to seek shelter in the lea of a key and wait it out if you can. If not stow everything below reef all the way down and anyone on deck should have a life jacket. Waterspouts can blow you over even reefed and people can go into the water real quick don't drown. The sailing aroung reefs is beautiful and takes some care but study the charts close and have fun. Lots of water to drink cola, juice ect the sun here is like being in the desert. Protect your skin tan up but limit it to one hour full exposure and remember the white cockpit is like a tanning booth so you will still get plenty of sun.

eryka · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006

You'll probably want to watch your fathometer a bit more closely than you're used to. In the Great Lakes, we'd frequently turn it off as soon as you leave the shore for the trip across - you know it's >600 feet deep with no obstruction till you get close to the other side ... not so in the Keys. What looks like a lovely expanse of open water may be only a few feet deep outside of the channel. Most of all, have fun!

paulthober · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006

Tides and the effects of the tides, i.e. currents, are the big difference. The Coast Pilot and Tidal Current Tables are invaluable for planning. If you have a lot of current where you are to sail I suggest going with the flow. My biggest surprise sailing in salt water was the chop caused by the current going one way and the wind and waves the other - it is hard to describe how bad a three-foot chop can be.

Paul

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006

The other thing to watch out for is the interaction between the wind and the currents. If you have a NE wind and a SW current, the waves that form are going to be much stronger and more dangerous than you would expect otherwise. Paul touched on this, but I think it really deserves some emphasis.

Also, any place the depth gets shallow, especially, where the tide or current hits the shallow spot...can be extremely dangerous... some of the most dangerous areas in coastal waters, are the entrances to bays and harbors, where the water shoals.

jpturkey · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006

Thank you all for replying to my question. For the week we were there the tide was only inches. We did not sail when the wind was over 20 mph. I was with my teenage daughter, not some macho guy that had to go out in the weather. I still do not know if I am happy or regretfull about that kind of careful attitude. I could not believe how shallow it was every where. It was good we had a Catalina 22 with a swing keel. I could swing up the keel and get out to push us off spots that I should not have tried to get to.

We had a great time. I could not believe all the wild life above and below the surface. We towed a kayak so we could explore the mangroves. We snorkled. We enjoyed the whole experiance.