GEORGIA – News – All

Announcement: All Georgia Cruising News

September 21, 2009 by: Claiborne Young Leave a Comment

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!

Below, you will discover our COMPLETE listing of Georgia cruising news/postings from fellow cruisers, arranged in chronological order, based on publication date. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO NARROW YOUR SELECTION of GA cruising news to those messages which pertain to a specific geographic sub-region, locate the RED, vertically stacked menu, on the right side of this, and all Cruisers’ Net pages. Click on “Georgia.” A drop down menu will appear, with a blue background, Now, click on “GA Regional Cruising News.” A sub-drop-down menu will now appear, listing 4 Georgia geographic sub-regions. Select your waters of interest, and after clicking on your choice, a list of messages will appear, confined to the sub-region you have picked!

Yellow Background Denotes Navigation Alert Postings

Light Blue Background Denotes Postings Concerned with “AICW Problem Stretches”
New Nav Aids in Sapelo River, west of AICW Statute Mile 636, 9/29/2016

September 29, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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This Local Notice is addendum to a recent Nav Alert for shoaling in this area, http://cruisersnet.net/158430, and the new nav aids should help keep you off the bottom. This area of shoaling is developing from the west and north side of the channel. This western portion of the Sapelo River departs the Waterway near Mile 636.

GEORGIA – SAPELO AND DOBOY SOUNDS – SAPELO RIVER: Severe Shoaling/ Disestablishment and Temporary Establishment of Aids to Navigation.
3FT at MLW. Water depth between Sapelo River TRUB 5B and Sapelo River TRUB 6 was observed at 4ft MLW. The rest of the channel was observed with 8ft of MLW. Read More
The following aids have been temporarily disestablished:
-Sapelo River Daybeacon 8 (LLNR 5900)
-Sapelo River Daybeacon 10 (LLNR 5905)
The following aids have been temporarily established:
-Sapelo River TEMP Buoy 5A in position 31-32-43.672N/081-20-31.546W
-Sapelo River TEMP Buoy 5B in position 31-32-33.161N/081-20-41.0078W
-Sapelo River TEMP Buoy 8 in position 31-32-00.904N/081-21-47.190W
-Sapelo River TEMP Buoy 10 in position 31-31-49.809N/081-21-31.431W

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Sapelo River
Reports from Hell Gate Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 602

September 25, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

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We hear lot of stories of extreme shallows at Hell Gate, so this report from longtime contributor and experienced skipper, James Newsome, is good news, PROVIDED you take his and our advice to wait for mid to high tide if you draw more than 4ft. See http://cruisersnet.net/156050 . And see 9/24 report below.

I negotiated Hell’s Gate on Sunday 08/28/16 traveling northbound exactly two hours before low tide. High tide was approximately 7.3′ for this day. Therefore, we calculated that we had 1.25′ per hour x 2 = 2.5′ of water over low tide. The least water we saw was 8′ which means the net low was around 5.5′. We steered pretty much down the middle following the magenta line, not favoring any marker.
I draw 5’8″ to 6′ loaded which means I could have made this passage through Hell’s Gate an hour before low tide and barely had water under the keel. At low tide I could not have made it through.
Based on the draft of your vessel, Hell’s Gate is only a concern within an hour or two of low tide, and if you only draw 4.5′ you can travel through here any time of the day, unless there is a negative tide perhaps. Just take it slow and easy on the south side of Hell’s Gate. There is some squirrelly current on the southern entrance to Hell’s Gate, but it’s nothing to be too concerned about.
James Newsome

9/24 Nelms Graham had a less easy passage, even 3 hours after low tide and in a shallow draft vessel!

Transited Hells Gate on 09/24/16 three hours after low tide, “bumped” in channel approx. 75ft. from marker “89”, in vessel drawing 2-‘6.
Nelms Graham

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
CAUTION: Shoaling Reported in Jekyll Creek, AIC W Statute Mile 684

September 22, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Marker #20A is north of the Jekyll Island Hwy 520 bridge and Marker #25 is below the bridge. Mid to High tide will be required for almost all vessels. Jekyll Creek is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina.

GEORGIA – AICW – ST SIMONS SOUND TO TOLOMATO RIVER – JEKYLL CREEK: Shoaling
Shoaling was found between Jekyll Creek Daybeacon 20A (LLNR 37346) 31-03-05.915N / 081-25-24.009W and Jekyll Creek Light 25 (LLNR 37360) 31-01-51.060N / 081-26-07.080W with a depth of 3ft at MLW. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11489 LNM 38/16

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Shoaling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

CLICK HERE for a detailed report on navigating Jekyll Creek.
Hurricane Hermine Update from Brunswick Landing Marina, off AICW Statute Mile 680

September 5, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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SSECN is delighted that Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers, navigated Hermine with minimal damage. BLM sits off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia. Also, take note of several updates to their directory listing below.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL UPDATE

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina

Georgia Climate Conference Registration Open, November 2-3, 2016, Jekyll Island

August 1, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Jekyll Island is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina, the perfect place to dock while attending this conference.

You are cordially invited to the

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division

2016 Climate Conference

Read More to Register

Prepare, Adapt and Respond:

Is Georgia Climate-Ready?

November 2-3, 2016

Jekyll Island Convention Center

Presentations will illustrate the issues surrounding

statewide resiliency including:

Public Health	Agriculture
Research	Mapping/GIS
Online Tools	Online Tools
Law and Policy	Invasive Species
Local Governments	Communications
Economics	Resiliency
Adaptation	Habitat and Impacted Species
Energy Resources	State Efforts

Including guest luncheon speaker
Carl Parker from…

The Weather Channel Logo

The conference will include multiple concurrent topic sessions,

a poster session social, networking breaks,

and may also provide an opportunity to earn continuing education credits

for Planners and Floodplain Managers, as well as continuing law credits for Attorneys.

“Prepare, Respond and Adapt” Climate Conference Registration

A limited number of hotel rooms are being held until October 2nd at the

Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, and Westin Hotel located on Jekyll Island.

Book your room early and mention you are with the “DNR Climate Conference”

to get the conference rate.

Additional information available at

CoastalGaDNR.org/ClimateConference

Shoaling Reported in Sapelo River, west of AICW Statute Mile 636, 7/6/2016

July 6, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

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This area of shoaling is developing from the west and north side of the channel. This western portion of the Sapelo River departs the Waterway near Mile 636.

GEORGIA – SAPELO AND DOBOY SOUNDS – SAPELO RIVER: Shoal
Shoaling reported between Sapelo River DBN 6 (LLNR 5895) and Sapelo River DBN 10 (LLNR 5905). Depths are reported from 0-6 ft at Mean Low water. Aids to navigation are currently in 0 feet of water. Shoaling protrudes into the channel approximately 20 yards. Channel was found closest to the southern bank with a depth of 6-10 feet at Mean Low water. Chart 11510 LNM 27/16

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Sapelo River
Captain Jim Healy Discusses the Waterway from Charleston to St. Augustine

July 2, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Longtime cruiser and SSECN Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his knowledge and experience in these observations on this portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Thank you Jim!

The entire region from Charleston to St. Augustine has high tidal ranges, ranging from 5′ at St. Augustine to as much as 9′ in Savannah/Beaufort/Charleston. Those high tidal ranges create swift tidal currents, and especially for first-times, docking is easiest in the 1/2 hour before and after slack.

There are many areas of shallow water in the region. The very best resource for current data on low water and caution areas is available via www.activecaptain.com. Two other websites that all ICW travelers should know about are www.waterwayguide.com and www.cruisersnet.net. I’m sure you are familiar with the Waterway Guide book series. The “Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net” (SSECN) is really a boating group. It was founded by Claiborne Young. After Claiborne’s untimely loss, the group continued in operation. The Cruiser’s Net website specializes on the US Southeast. There is some duplication of material between the WWG site and the SSECN site, but there is unique value to both. Both are excellent resources for fuel prices, marinas and anchorages. These websites would make a good sidebar for any ICW article. Two of these websites require registration – SSECN does not – and all three are free, and all are very useful to ICW boaters. Both WWG and SSECN also have smart phone apps that duplicate and augment website information and are very useful on small-format devices.

There are some generalizations that apply to the region, including the stretch from Georgetown, SC all the way south to below Fernandina Beach. In some of those areas, boats drawing more than 4′ will want to consider not traveling at low tide; especially celestial low tides. The Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for dredging the ICW. USACE is funded by state congressional delegations. In recent years, the money congress allocates to dredging has been diverted to “more pressing needs,” and so many areas of the ICW are shoaling, and in fact, the ICW resource is slowly being lost; well, allowed to die, really, by congress. There is a not-for-profit called the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. The Executive Director is Brad Pickel; bpickel@seahavenconsulting.com. That would make another sidebar for any article on the ICW. There are some local knowledge bypasses around some shoal areas. All of the cruising sites above can provide additional detail.

Renting a car in any of these venues greatly expands what a boating visitor can see and do. Some, but not all, marinas have courtesy cars. Generally they can’t be used for long periods, but they are useful for re-provisioning when needed.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Ft. Myers, FL
Another Good Review of Jekyll Harbor Marina and Jekyll Island, AICW Statute Mile 684.5

June 28, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

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A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge. Our thanks to Dick Lawson for this excellent review and for the name of a good mechanic.

First time to Jekyll in a couple years. Marina under new management and services are good. The adjoining restaurant, DJ’s is closed, but being renovated by new owners and supposed to be open later this year. New town center on the island is beautiful with groceries, shopping and several restaurants – quite an upgrade from the past. It’s within walking distance, or the marina will let you use their golf cart for up to 90 minutes at a time. I required some engine work and they recommended Leo Ross, 912-266-1323, from Brunswick. He did a good and reasonable job and is also recommended.
Dick Lawson

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
More Good Words for Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina, Medway River off AICW Statute Mile 620

June 28, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Skipper Dick Lawson joins others in praising Sunbury Crab Company in Brunswick, GA. Sunbury Crab Company Marina lies off the Waterway along the western shores of the Medway River, on the charted Sunbury Channel, north of Dickinson Creek.

This marina is 8 miles up the Medway River from the ICW. Plenty of deep water. Marina facility is basic but docks are good with water and power. Restaurant serving fresh local shrimp was excellent, but only open Wednesday thru Saturday nights. Ask for the owner, Elaine, and she will make sure you have a comfortable stay.
Dick Lawson

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Sunbury Crab Company

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunbury Crab Company
Captain Jim Healy on Charleston and Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA

June 26, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his perspective on Charleston and Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA where several SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORs are located. Thank you Jim!

Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA: magnificent old southern cities with many points-of-interest and fine restaurants; our strategy is to take a tour bus around the city. Look for a tour company that has same-day on-and-off privileges. (We do this every time we arrive somewhere we’ve not been before, including Canada). We take the entire tour circuit first, then go back to places that we think we’d like to know more about. At Charleston, start at the Welcome Center. Or, take the tour boat to Fort Sumter; nice aquarium near the Ft. Sumter ferry docks. In Charleston, there is a water taxi from the Charleston Maritime Center that goes back and forth to Patriot Point, which is where the USS Yorktown is located. In Savannah, there is a nice stage theater within walking distance of the downtown waterfront (http://www.savannahtheatre.com). The Savannah waterfront is very interesting, with a large riverwalk, wonderful park overlooking the River, and large shipping and commercial traffic as well as every kind of small-boat and pleasure craft. There are several architecture tours in both cities, and both have lots of weekly and seasonal activity for visitors. From Savannah (there are marina options in downtown Savannah on the Savannah River or at Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope), boaters can also visit Tybee Island (light house and Fort Pulaski).

Beaufort, SC: from the Beaufort Downtown Marina, take a carriage tour through the historic ante-bellum homes in the area. The downtown is friendly with many shoppes and good restaurant options.

Jim Healy
High Praise for Brunswick Landing Marina, off AICW Statute Mile 680

June 22, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

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Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers, sits off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

I love this marina! As a delivery captain and salesman, for Prestige Yachts, I stop in many marinas. Brunswick Landing is in a safe hole, with little boat traffic, easy fuel, FANTASTIC staff, free beer, and bicycles to pedal around town.
The floating docks are great, the restrooms are very clean, ice at tge end of the docks, and coffee in the morning on the fuel pier.
I’ll be back in a few weeks. Thanks for the hospitality.
Brad Heil

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
Ridley Report: Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles, AICW near Statute Mile 676

May 19, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Charlie and Jackie make another entry in their log with this report from Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles which lies along the southern reaches of the Frederica River, between Lanier and St. Simons Islands, south of the charted 9 foot bridge.

5-4-16 Now at Morningstar Marina at St Simons. At MM590. One of my favorites. Restaurant at top of docks is very good- under new management and got liquor license last Thursday. Great app’s and a great margarita!! Make res’s as very busy. Mitch- dock hand- is the beat. Current can be very bad and combined with wind can make docking no fun. Listen to Mitch (or Chick) and he’ll get you in safely. Showers are very nice and laundry also. If on south end of face dock, long walk to take out dog, go to Coastal Kitchen or borrow the loaner car (but we need the exercise!!) A very nice CRV loaner. 1 hour limit. Of course best things are the muffins and newspaper delivered to your boat every morning– best muffins anywhere!!! one of our favorite marinas!! Almost forgot– if need diesel mechanic that I think is not only good but honest– ask for Wayne. He impressed me and that is not easy!!
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina
Ridley Report: Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, GA, AICW Statute Mile 590

May 19, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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The Ridleys continue their log with a report on Isle of Hope Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! which lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A. And in case you missed their FOCUS ON, see http://cruisersnet.net/150925.

5-3-16 Now at Isle of Hope Marina at MM590. Went to fuel dock first– $2.09/gal. Dock (34′) and 30 amp for $75.00. great place to walk around old homes, etc. cable not work but pulled several channels off antennae. Put us on very northern end and very weak wifi. OK for email but not much else. Loaner car and bicycles available and a reasonable ships store. Strong Verizon. Really a great place to stop.
Jackie and Charlie on Traveler.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina
Detailed Report from Jekyll Creek, Jekyll Island, GA, AICW Statute Mile 684.5

May 16, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Robert Sherer is author of 2015 ICW Cruising Guide: A guide to navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. See http://cruisersnet.net/?p=150181. SSECN is grateful for Captain Sherer’s willingness to share his knowledge and experience with our readers. Jekyll Creek is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina.

I’ve been through Jekyll Creek a dozen times and although there is a channel with 5.7 MLW depth, the problem has always been how to find it. This time through I found a good fit using ENC charts as displayed on the iPad app, Charts and Tides. I would think that any app that used NOAA ENC charts would display the same route (my laptop with ENC charts showed the route correctly).

At Jekyll Creek just south of the bridge

Sitting at anchor just south of the bridge on 4/22/216, we were astounded when we saw two huge tugs with several hundred feet of dredging pipe go through Jekyll at dead low tide, one tug on each end of the pipes. I followed in my dinghy. The mud stirred up was incredible. They stopped multiple times and rev’ed up the engines and plowed through. It took 20 min to round G19. In other words, they created the channel and successive runs is what keeps the channel open.
After they passed I got in my dinghy to measured the deepest spot by G19, R20 and R20A, going side to side with a portable depth sounder and found that 80 to 100 ft off each mark was best, at least now after the two tug plow team.
Route notes:
– Do not hug any marks, stay off R20A, R20 and R19 by 80 to 100 ft.
– Garmin charts are useless here but NOAA ENC charts work well.
– The depth readings were taken the day after two tugs passed (plowed!) through.
– A GPX file of the route is available here or go to http://tinyurl.com/hvugdss

Route depths:
Bridge 10.6 MLW, use as a check on general water depth, the bridge height gauge read 65 ft (it was near high tide when I passed through but all readings have been corrected to MLW)
Heading north:
– 1/2 way 6.7 MLW
– R20A 8.3 MLW
– 1/2 way 6.2 MLW
– R20 6.6 MLW
– By docks 9.2 MLW
– 1/2 way 8.1 MLW
– G19 5.7 MLW (80 ft off )
– At shoal mark 7.6 MLW
– G17 9.1 MLW
– R16 7.8 MLW

Deeper the rest of the way north.

I don’t claim this is the best route but it worked on 4/22/2016 for 5.7 MLW.
Robert Sherer

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Unhappy with Brunswick Landing Marina, off AICW Statute Mile 680

May 10, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

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Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers, sits off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

I have been a loyal customer of this marina for 15 years. I’ve seen it grow due to the efforts of the marina staff and the camaraderie developed among other cruisers and have always given it high marks for being among the best marina in the area. Unfortunately that has all changed under new management. Exorbitant charges are being billed as “environmental fees” i.e wifi, pump out, live aboard fees and marina security. These are to me the cost of doing business in an environment where boaters need and expect these services, but to add an additional fee to higher dockage rates has made Brunswick Landing intolerable. The boat yard in requiring outside vendors to add 20% to their normal charges to compensate the marina is ludicrous. It is clear the management is only looking out for themselves and has no understanding as to “who brought them to the table.” You may want to look into this and steer boaters to distant shores….it is NOT a place you would want to recommend.
Robert Wilson

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
More Good Words for Brunswick Landing Marina, off AICW Statute Mile 680

April 13, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers, sits off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

The marina is the best in the area, and while the facilities are some of the best on the ICW, the staff – Sherri and Cindy – are the most welcoming and “make you feel at home” people on earth. The marina is well represented by these two young ladies as anyone that has visited will attest to. Without them, it would just be another struggling marina.
Jimmy Crack Corn

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
Middle Earth On The ICW, Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway

April 11, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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For those of us who frequent the Waterways of Georgia, this beautiful article by Tammy Kennon, as published in Cruising World, is especially pleasing. Like stopping to smell the roses, Georgia’s intracoastal is not to be rushed.

Middle Earth On The ICW

BY Tammy Kennon POSTED April 7, 2016

GEORGIA’S CUMBERLAND ISLAND ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY PROVIDES CRUISERS WITH A FAIRY TALE-LIKE STOPPING GROUND FOR PASSING CRUISERS.

Don’t go through Georgia,” fellow cruisers told my husband, Chip, and me on our inaugural trip down the Intracoastal Waterway. Ninefoot tides, shifting currents, shallow waters and other horrors awaited us there, and, because we were rookies, we listened. For more than a week, we hunkered down in Beaufort, South Carolina, waiting for a good weather window to go offshore and bypass Georgia entirely. But with only 23 days of cruising under our keel, we were just beginning to learn that Mother Nature was in charge, and she had other things to show us.
Tammy Kennon

CLICK HERE for the full article and more photos.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cumberland Island
Catamaran Skipper Seeks Boat Yard near Brunswick, GA

April 3, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Skipper Ted is looking for a DIY boat yard for his catamaran. Let us know if you have recommendations.

Would like to know how to find out or post a message to find best marina in the New Brunswick GA area that can accommodate 24′ beam Cat for haul out and allows DIY bottom painting. Any help?? Thank you in advance. Ted
Advice on Hell Gate Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 602

March 30, 2016 by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

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We are always hearing of extreme shallows at Hell Gate and recent conflicting reports still indicate problems at low tide. See http://cruisersnet.net/153633 and http://cruisersnet.net/153843. This report comes from one of our friends in AGLCA. SSECN still recommends MID TO HIGH TIDE as a requirement for navigating through Hell Gate.

Hell Gate GA
As a general rule, this section is best attempted with a rising tide. I guided 5 sailboats through there last November 21, 2015 during the Sail 2015 Rally Down the ICW.. We entered Hell Gate at exactly dead low and proceeded slowly. Of the 6 of us all drawing between 4.5 and 6 feet only the 6 footer ran aground. We draw 4.5 feet and several of the other boats with us were 5.5 feet. We were fine at dead low. In my experience, it is best to stay off G 89 about 75-100 feet.
Reversing that route for north bound, stay center channel as you proceed into Hell Gate and then be on the west side of the as you approach G89, After the G89 continue north for about 300 feet before you actually take the turn towards the east. G89 does not exactly mark the actual bend in the channel After bend continue to stay west but then shift to the center of the channel as you approach the Vernon river.
The most recent crowd sourced charts show 4-5 feet in the channel at low water. Given that the tidal range here is 9 feet, If you approach Hell Gate an hour or two after low you will have plenty of water in the channel. If you would like to have a copy of my tracks, please PM me.
Cheers,
Tom

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch