GL: Tides and currents

[Frank Arndorfer]

Mike and Tammi:
 
We too were Great Lakes boaters and in the past two years have traveled up
and down the Atlantic ICW 4X between Chesapeake Bay and Ft. Lauderdale. The
tides took a lot of adjusting to. The currents are the currents and although
they require awareness, we found the tides were the ones we needed to pay
attention to.
 
As mentioned in previous posts, the tides run the largest swings from
northern FL thru GA and SC. We traveled in a Grand Banks 46 drawing 4'6" and
in many instances we saw "0.0" on the depth meter. Although we never went
aground, there were times we were gently plowing thru silt. We'd find that
when we'd show as little as 1' of water underneath us, we'd sigh in relief.
Not quite the same as Great Lakes.!! Follow your Reeds carefully and consult
the Waterway Guides regarding the currents. Most any time you encounter and
inlet of any sort you'll encounter current changes. And some of these can be
quite strong.
 
Coming from the Great Lakes, we never got quite used to the water going away
and coming back twice a day.!!!
 
 
 Frank Arndorfer
414.254.1668
fmja10 at yahoo.com