"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...
We're going to be arriving in St. Augustine late next week (10th-ish).

What's the controlling depth on the inlet?


On a low tide it can be "iffy" for six foot of draft. I recall running into
that inlet on a low tide using a shoreside range in a Nor'easter gale under
single-reefed main and 75% jib around midnight many years ago. I was enroute
from Cape Lookout and tired so I was going in to anchor and get some
shut-eye no matter the weather. A Coast Guard cutter was in hot pursuit.
They radioed me saying it probably wasn't wise to attempt the inlet in those
conditions but I radioed back telling them I had local knowledge and a shoal
draft of 3.5 feet. So I flew in broad reaching and never touched bottom even
though there were five to six foot seas running. The Coasties turned tail
and headed out to deeper water to ride it out. I sailed into the anchorage
behind the barrier island, turned directly into the wind and dropped sail
and then anchor. Got a good night's sleep.

There is enough depth for you but avoid going in on a low tide as the water
over the bar can shoal up and get a might skimpy in places. I'd recommend
going in at a rising mid-tide. (tide can be five or six feet there) Also
look behind you often as there can be a pretty good cross current running at
times that might drift you out of the channel or dangerously close to the
edges of the dredged areas. DON'T let Lydia steer!! A good place to anchor
for some peace and quiet is turn to port after the first barrier island and
feel your way in. If you stay about a hundred yards off the island you
should be OK. Nice and sheltered and not much current running like there
will be in the Intracoastal anchorage. No facilities there, however. The
Bridge of Lions anchorage has current but also facilities and the holding is
generally pretty good. I would lay to two anchors set Bahamian style so you
don't drag on a changing tide.

Wilbur Hubbard