Frederican River Discussion
The northern meeting of Frederica River and the AICW occurs near Statute Mile 666, just north of marker #229. The Frederica then winds its way south for quite a few miles, cutting into the western flank of St. Simons Island. Boats drawing less 5 feet or less can make use of this stream, BUT ONLY with caution! There are several good opportunities to anchor along the way, the best of which, in my lowly opinion is abeam of the Fort Frederica historic site. Eventually the river rejoins the AICW north of marker #241. As you will see below in the discussion concerning Frederica River, which I copied from the GL (Great Loop) list, it's this southern intersection which seems to be shoaling. Wise captain will wait for high water before trying these waters.
For maximum safety, you can enter and egress Frederica River from the north, and still experience all those many good anchorages.
Just read an article by Tom Neale in the April 2009 issue of "Soundings" about several places along the ICW in Georgia – a good article if you haven't read it (his articles usually aren't available online). He says "If your boat has shallow draft and you have a bit of nerve, you can take this river [Frederica River] as a detour from the ICW and pass by or even anchor off the fort [Fort Frederica]. The river loops around and meets the ICW again to the south, but there are many shoals and mud banks."
The chart shows a minimum depth of 7 feet in the Frederica River, with many of the soundings over 15 feet. Has anyone taken this route, and what did you find depth-wise?
Bob McLeran and Judy Young
We took the Fredrica river in 2007 and had no problem with our 4' draft. We entered from the South and exited North. We anchored just off the fort. No problems. You can see where we anchored on our blog if you go back far enough. The site is www.mvseasea.blogspot.com.
Paul & Stacy Brannon
m/v SEASEA
Also no problem, also 4' draft. Excellent holding in front of the fort, it blew like stink for 2 days, so hard the dinghy on deck kept getting launched against its ties, and none of the 5 boats there dragged! Look for my shoe in the mud – got ashore, but with only 1 shoe. Met lots of people tho, easy to do when you wear 1 shoe.
Steve
Rideau Ferry
The south entrance is tricky and is shoaling. We got stuck there at the lower part of the tide. Otherwise the run is deep enough for my 5' draft. Use the details of the shoals at the turns and some side
channels as a clue to move to one side or the other. They are pretty accurate.
Greg and Susan Han
Allegria — Krogen Whaleback
We "did" the Frederica River in '06, including anchoring for the night off the fort. We dinghied in to explore the fort. It was a most pleasant diversion.
Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
MORNING STAR
Be the first to comment!