February 8, 2024: I finally depart St Augustine and get to my St Johns River side trip starting point, a free dock just off the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville.
The date is not a typo. My plan already changed. The weather did not improve and I was stuck for an extra night at St Augustine. I figured I’d either push everything back by a day or make up a day along the way.
The Trip to Jacksonville
The tide was going out at Palm Valley and I rode it all the way to Jacksonville.
I left St Augustine at about 9 AM, just after the tide had turned outbound. I got a nice push to the inlet, which was still pretty rough, and then fought the outgoing tide up the ICW until about Palm Valley, which is halfway to Jacksonville Inlet. Then the tide was on my favor, propelling me outbound. I kept my power setting the same all day at 2000 RPM and saw my speed as low as 6 knots and as high as 10 knots. It really pays to travel with the tide when you can and the notes I took during this cruise prove it.
My chartplotter calculates my fuel economy with data sent to it from my Volvo engine’s computer. Here, I had power set to 2000 RPM and got some decent speed on the outgoing tide which also boosted my fuel economy.
I was treated to a rare sight: a sailboat under sail. With the wind from the north, this southbound sailor was taking advantage of it.
The last time I’d been at the free dock at Sisters Creek, it had been full to overflowing, with one sailboat jutting off the end of the dock. That had been back in late November. But on February 8, there was only one boat there: a sailboat. I pulled into the creek, made a 180° turn, and parked along the dock, halfway back to the ramp. I secured my lines, shut everything down, and took my pups for a walk in the park there.
Here’s my Nebo log for February 8, 2024. Download a PDF log file with more info. Track Do It Now on Nebo.
At Jim King/Sisters Creek Anchorage
Jim King/Sisters Creek free dock is a good, sturdy dock that can hold at least six boats. There’s no power but there is water. Reviews make me think that it’s not the kind of water I’d want to put into my tank.
The depth of the water under my boat was about 8 feet at low tide. The park was littered and had the air of neglect, but it was fine for walking my pups or getting some exercise. There’s nothing there other than a boat ramp, which was getting some use, and a pair of restrooms with a water fountain that appeared to work. There is a free pumpout on a dock along the ICW and I used it back in November, but the water there is very shallow at low tide so beware!
I didn’t stop here for the ambiance. I stopped here because it put me into a good staging position for my trip up the St Johns. 34 miles at 6 to 10 knots is a long day — certainly enough for me. The next day would be another long day — although longer than I’d originally planned.
Here’s Do It Now at Jim King/Sisters Creek free dock.
Three places to visit are Angel’s Diner in Palatka (Florida’s oldest diner,) Corky Belle’s in East Palatka (free overnight dock with dinner,) and Shrimp R Us in Welaka, another free dock. Excellent food and service at all three.
Although I stopped at Palatka, I didn’t see Angel’s. But I did stay at Corky Bell’s and Welaka and ate at both of those restaurants. Upcoming blog posts have the details.