You guys aren’t used to pushing 30 tons of boat! Trolling motors and 10 hp eggbeaters won’t do it, but a couple of old tractor engines, 2.5:1 reduction gear and 26” diameter props will move enough water that the stern of the boat will sink several inches in a lock when I put it in gear!

Wish I'd seen this earlier, I was just out there demoing my motor. Water does tend to get skinnier west of the channel, but I think there will be a place you could get into Denny.
Maybe Ken would put the 10hp on my boat if I don't find a new motor.

I`ll call Kyle and ask. Pretty much across the cut.

Denny, there is a channel going into capt hirams, I don’t know the depth, but in between Hiram and the island to the north is a designated anchorage according my friend. If you can get into there, it a short run to the dock. In process of taking motor controls out but if weather cooperates I might be able to check on that if Kyle doesn’t know answer. Ron.

According to Google Earth, lat/lon for the dock are 27-49’40.06”N. 80-28’21.99W
Hope that helps.

Thanks Casey, that’s a big help!

Ron, my year old Waterway Guide says the northern channel into those marinas is shoaled in and the southern channel is only about 5’; it says that shallow draft vessels (<5’) can use the anchorage near Capt. Hiram’s. We draw 4’9”, so maybe I could get in there at high tide, but not sure I’d be comfortable anchoring there overnight. Looks like tides are less than a foot in that area? Are they affected very much by wind direction?

My Navionics chart shows 6-7’ depths between the island and the ICW and 6-8’ just east of the channel north of a sandbar in that area, so I may try to anchor there first and do some exploring in the dingy! Denny

Denny
You would be better off driving up US1 to the get-together and do a sleep over by sharing a picnic table top with GoFast. :eek:

We have a pond and a pool.
The pond would be good for you.

Yeah Denny, I was a bit concerned about that. Your information is probably correct. Tides are about a foot,maybe more on full and new moon. West winds, yes. When I was scouting for this gathering last time, the wind was strong for a few days and it was very noticeable on the water depth (high or low tide was low). Years ago my wife and I spent the night on the east of the channel and stayed away from the islands to get away from the sand gnats.
Speaking of that sandbar, it tends to extend out into the marked channel, more so lately.

For us old retired folks that enjoy cruising, it’s not about the length of the trip . . . Gettin there is at least half the fun! If you’ve never watched dolphins surfing your bow wave, which we see often in the Indian River, you’ve missed a real treat! https://dreamseeker.blog/page/3/ (There are 3 videos in this link if you scroll down towards the bottom.)

Just checked the mileage and Sebastian will be an easy 1 day trip from Stuart. Finding a good anchorage is just part of the adventure! And Dream Seekers memory foam bunks and AC are a LOT more comfortable than Sandy’s table!