[musicmanontheseas]

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to do a multi-day trip along the Georgia coast. I may finally have my chance. I hope to leave this Wednesday. I have a 24' Venture MacGregor with a 9.9 Yamaha. I have taken this boat out by myself twice.

I plan to sail by myself and leave Saint MArys GA and travel up the coast past Cumberland Island and Jekyl Island and cut in towards Brunswick and anchor for the night. Next morning to sail north to above Blackbeard island and anchor for the night. Friday I plan to sail home in one day if possible.

Questions:
1. What currents should I expect while going north and south up the ga coast? I plan to sail about 4-5 miles off the coast.
2. Will I be able to catch any fish trolling on my way?
3. Any hazards you are aware of?
4. Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[fryewe]

I have no answers to your questions, but wish you a good sail.

 

[travlin-easy]

Sailing 4 to 5 miles from the GA beach you will encounter some weird currents, and likely some shallow areas near Jekyll Island. The inlet is relatively wide and the currents there during an outgoing tide can be a bit strong, but doable with the rig you described. It winds around a bit, too. The inlet at Saint Simons is straight, fairly wide, but there are lots of shallow rocks on both sides of the inlet, which is quite long as well. I ran this inlet on a strong, incoming tide and was hard pressed to make 4 to 5 MPH with my boat. And, just because you see what appears to be deep water on both sides of the inlet, doesn't mean you can actually go outside the channel - you cannot!

There are a fair number of pelagic fish species that inhabit the inshore waters from 5 to 10 miles off the GA coast, mostly small tuna, some king and Spanish mackerel, and when conditions are right, it's a great place to drag a small bucktail trimmed with a twister tail behind the boat. You never really know what will hit it. There are some artificial reefs (fish havens) out there as well, so make sure that you do not fish in those locations - that could be expensive.

If you have a good depth finder and can locate some of the inshore wrecks, sea bass, porgy and grunt are plentiful at the wrecks and slam a strip of squid fished on a top and bottom rig fished close to the wreck. Damned good eating when filleted, dipped in beer batter and pan fried. OH YEAH!

You shouldn't have a problem finding places to anchor that boat, but be sure that you drop the hook at low tide. Tidal changes can be 7 to 9 feet at some locations and you could end up sitting in the mud if you're not careful about the tide heights.

Good luck,

Gary

 

[musicmanontheseas]

Gary, Thanks for your comments. You got me more excited! I bought a little two Burner Coleman stove today. Hope to have a little fish fry with me and myself!
I hear you about observing the markers going inland. Thanks!

Is it always better going through inlets and into backwaters during high tide?

I hear you on anchoring during low tide. Most water height change is around 6 feet I think- Also- my boat has a crank up keel so I may not be leaving on time if anchored in low water but as long as the keel is kept up, I don't think I would have any problems. Am I wrong?

 

[Sailormon6]

I hear you on anchoring during low tide. Most water height change is around 6 feet I think- Also- my boat has a crank up keel so I may not be leaving on time if anchored in low water but as long as the keel is kept up, I don't think I would have any problems. Am I wrong?

If you habitually leave your retractable keel down (which is recommended by most boat manufacturers), then it will warn you when you are in shallow water. You'll feel it dragging when you are underway, and you'll feel a change in the boat's motion when you are at anchor. If it is down when it touches, then you can crank it up and get free. If it is fully retracted when it touches, then you won't get any warnings until the boat is hard aground, and, since the keel is already up all the way, you won't be able to crank it up any further to get free. IMO, it's a good practice to leave it down, and only raise it if you have grounded. If the keel is down, and the boat grounds on a falling tide, then by cranking it up you will gain some time to move the boat to deeper water.

 

[travlin-easy]

Slack tide is best for the inlets, high or low.

All the best,

Gary