[PUP] Key West and ICW

[Byron Nelson]

Scott,

We just came up to St Augustine from Ft Lauderdale.  The marina will run 
$3.00 in that area, but go to the $2.00 to 2.25 range once you are 
farther north.

The ICW from Miami Ft Pierce is a complete PITA with the bridges if you 
need more than 24' of clearance.  For us at 42' of air draft it is 
opening over thirty bridges.  That being said if you have the time the 
view along that stretch are worth seeing for the difference in life 
style from west coast to east coast.  As you come up the coast the 
Kennedy Space Center is a great side trip.  This works if you are inside 
or outside.  We chose to go inside after Canaveral to St Augustine, Lynn 
had not seen this part of the ICW.  Big mistake had hard time making 60 
miles.  We draw 6' and most of the time saw 2.5' to 4' under us.  The 
problem came a the marina in Daytona Beach the entrance at 1/3 low tide 
gave us .5' under the boat with a few high spots to push through.  Later 
in New Smyrma at the juncation of the inlet and the ICW we had to plow 
our way in the middle of the channel at 1/3 low.  The less stressful way 
is to pick a good weather window from Canaveral to St Augustine and go 
offshore. St Augustine is a must see city. 

Have enjoyed your reports coming from the west coast around.

Byron Nelson
M/Y Voyager lying in St Augustine