M/V Serenity: 7 January, 2020. Way down on the Suwannee River

6.2 engine hours; 41 SM

We traveled to Suwannee, the town and State Song of Florida.

Really decent sleep last night on the hook. Other than tidal flow and direction change, smooth calm. Crab boats moving very early, well before sunrise. POC up early had coffee ready and woke me saying the winds looked ok and let’s get going. So, quick cup of joe, reviewed the weather and yes it did look doable for another 45 or so miles south. Seas and winds looked good for at least half of the day and we decided to head to Suwannee.

UW at 0705, it was predawn and slow no-wake cruise out of the narrow and skinny channel. A long channel back to the gulf. As the sun was rising and we eased our bow into the gulf it was choppy with a good two foot swell, but the wind waves were not too bad. We turned on course toward the southwest and had waves on the forward quarter but not bad, but we said if it worsened within 30 minutes we would turn around and go back. Well it did not get worse and after about 2 hours and a bit more southerly heading, the wind shifted more to south-westerly and swell period was 4-5 seconds. Not bad roll and no slamming. We were running very close to the coast, 3-4 miles off-shore in 10-18 feet of water with shallower depths not far away (1/2 mile) of 4-6 feet. Busy watching chart plotter, depth sounder and out side for crap pots/buoys which were everywhere. For five hours we dodged crap pot buoys.

Suwannee River

I had called ahead to the Gateway Marina and asked about channel depths and marina depths. The channel has a four feet depth published at Low water, but numerous shoaling reports are current. I was advised to enter on rising or hi-tide. We began our approach into the narrow, shallow and winding channel at hi-tide. Lowest depth noted was five feet. Will definitely need to exit on rising/hi-tide. This fact may effect our getting out of here with a good weather window. Anyway the narrow/shallow channel opened into the Suwannee river, wide, deep and beautiful. Another mile and we entered the dredged canal of homes and the marina/condo complex. We took on diesel (17.5 gallons) and took a slip at an old dock but decent and it is floating. Serenity all secured at 1310. (map) We took a hike around town for nearly 3 miles, returned, showered, and had supper on board. While a shorter day, we are pooped after a pretty rolling trip, sun glare and hunting for crap pots.