AICW
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Pumpout!
Hi Jimm,
I travelled south in 2010 and north in2011...
There was pumpout available pretty well everywhere there was fuel. Since we travelled slowly going south we needed pumpout more often than fuel; it was available and either free or 5$ most everywhere.
In cities with large mooring fields there are pumpout boats (Annapolis & St-Augustine).
We get about five to six days between "empties" and it wasn't a problem.
We have an odor "muffler" on the vent, if we overflow it must be changed... we monitor the level very carefully!
Have a good trip
Pierre
Hi Jimm,
I travelled south in 2010 and north in2011...
There was pumpout available pretty well everywhere there was fuel. Since we travelled slowly going south we needed pumpout more often than fuel; it was available and either free or 5$ most everywhere.
In cities with large mooring fields there are pumpout boats (Annapolis & St-Augustine).
We get about five to six days between "empties" and it wasn't a problem.
We have an odor "muffler" on the vent, if we overflow it must be changed... we monitor the level very carefully!
Have a good trip
Pierre
Our trip south last summer was the same experience as Pierre's. Any marina that sold fuel also had a pump out and most transient marinas we stayed in had a pump out even if they did not sell fuel. Many had a portable, either on a golf cart or a dolly, that could be brought to your slip. Chuck
Re: Pumpout!
Caboteu,
How much draft your boat draw? I am planning to do the AICW but my boat have 5'6" fin keel. It's a concern.
Caboteu,
How much draft your boat draw? I am planning to do the AICW but my boat have 5'6" fin keel. It's a concern.
As other posters have stated pumps out are fairly convenient along the AICW.
5'6" shouldnt be a problem for 'most' of the AICW.
However, in the area of Jekyll Is., GA, on the SC side of the GA/SC border, and a few spots south of Fernandina FL, there is a lot of shifting shoaling ... and you should be frequently consulting "Skipper Bob's Waterway Guide" and the SECruisers Net ... all available online for 'recent updates' of problem areas.
Especially near the north side of Jekyll (GA), the north end of "Field's Cut" (Intersection with the Wright River - SC) you should be following your depthsounder instead of the charts/marks ... just go slow and follow your depth sounder and simply wait to run the wave of the high tide in these perennial 'problem areas'.
You'll also find that your GPS wont be anywhere near accurate (for following the infamous 'magenta line') anywhere near the St. Mary's River (Nuclear Submarine Base) near Fernandina Fl ---- just use your 'eyeballs' for the 'marks' and depthsounder ... and dont slavishly follow your GPS's 'magenta line' in this St. Mary's River (N. of Fernandina FL) area where GPS is apparently greatly 'dithered'.
5'6" shouldnt be a problem for 'most' of the AICW.
However, in the area of Jekyll Is., GA, on the SC side of the GA/SC border, and a few spots south of Fernandina FL, there is a lot of shifting shoaling ... and you should be frequently consulting "Skipper Bob's Waterway Guide" and the SECruisers Net ... all available online for 'recent updates' of problem areas.
Especially near the north side of Jekyll (GA), the north end of "Field's Cut" (Intersection with the Wright River - SC) you should be following your depthsounder instead of the charts/marks ... just go slow and follow your depth sounder and simply wait to run the wave of the high tide in these perennial 'problem areas'.
You'll also find that your GPS wont be anywhere near accurate (for following the infamous 'magenta line') anywhere near the St. Mary's River (Nuclear Submarine Base) near Fernandina Fl ---- just use your 'eyeballs' for the 'marks' and depthsounder ... and dont slavishly follow your GPS's 'magenta line' in this St. Mary's River (N. of Fernandina FL) area where GPS is apparently greatly 'dithered'.
Interesting first responses - thanks! I'm trying to square this with conflicting reports for the Carolinas and Georgia especially where other have experienced challenges finding 'operational and accessible' facilities. Draft not a primary issue.......
Alexco,
RichH's comments are on the button. Since I presume you are leaving from Toronto, There may be additional problems on the Oswego river but even more on the Erie Canal between Oneida Lake and Waterford. All this area was badly flooded in the spring of 2011 and very heavily battered by hurricane Irene also in 2011.
Should you wish to transit the Dismal Swamp south of Norfolk VA, you'll probably bump bottom a little in that area... mostly tree stumps fallen in the river.
By all means get a Boat US http://www.boatus.com/towing/ or Sea Tow http://www.seatow.com/ unlimited towing insurance... if you get it in the fall it will cover you for your entire trip. Use it just once and it's paid for. I hadn't taken the insurance on my first trip (picture); I took it after this incident... this time I waited for the tide to float me off...
Have a good trip
Pierre
RichH's comments are on the button. Since I presume you are leaving from Toronto, There may be additional problems on the Oswego river but even more on the Erie Canal between Oneida Lake and Waterford. All this area was badly flooded in the spring of 2011 and very heavily battered by hurricane Irene also in 2011.
Should you wish to transit the Dismal Swamp south of Norfolk VA, you'll probably bump bottom a little in that area... mostly tree stumps fallen in the river.
By all means get a Boat US http://www.boatus.com/towing/ or Sea Tow http://www.seatow.com/ unlimited towing insurance... if you get it in the fall it will cover you for your entire trip. Use it just once and it's paid for. I hadn't taken the insurance on my first trip (picture); I took it after this incident... this time I waited for the tide to float me off...
Have a good trip
Pierre
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as for holding tank, etc. issues ...
be very aware that Volusia County (FL) Sheriffs Department does routine forced gestapo-like boardings to inspect that the outlet through hull on holding tank/MSD systems to validate they are physically 'locked' shut. So even if youre a prudent and law-abiding non-overboard-pumper expect rude/intimidating (sometimes with guns drawn) 'boardings' when in Volusia County Florida ... New Smyrna/Daytona, etc. The fines for non-compliance are very steep.
You can also expect that your topsides will be 'marked' and scuffed during such 'boardings' ... they sometimes use BLACK rub rails/bumpers, etc. on their potty-pursuit boats.
When in Volusia, if you see any center-console coming at you dead head-on and at a full throttle plane coming through a no wake / manatee zone .... its probably a potty-boat. Many times if not stopping you to inspect they will come extremely close-by to wake and SPRAY you, I think very intentionally so.
Many who used pass through Volusia County on the AICW now simply wait for a weatherwindow to pass Volusia on the 'outside' ... much less intimidation and hassle.
be very aware that Volusia County (FL) Sheriffs Department does routine forced gestapo-like boardings to inspect that the outlet through hull on holding tank/MSD systems to validate they are physically 'locked' shut. So even if youre a prudent and law-abiding non-overboard-pumper expect rude/intimidating (sometimes with guns drawn) 'boardings' when in Volusia County Florida ... New Smyrna/Daytona, etc. The fines for non-compliance are very steep.
You can also expect that your topsides will be 'marked' and scuffed during such 'boardings' ... they sometimes use BLACK rub rails/bumpers, etc. on their potty-pursuit boats.
When in Volusia, if you see any center-console coming at you dead head-on and at a full throttle plane coming through a no wake / manatee zone .... its probably a potty-boat. Many times if not stopping you to inspect they will come extremely close-by to wake and SPRAY you, I think very intentionally so.
Many who used pass through Volusia County on the AICW now simply wait for a weatherwindow to pass Volusia on the 'outside' ... much less intimidation and hassle.
I have heard of one or two bad boardings in Volusia County, but nothing recently. I think that is a bit over the top. There are usually pumpouts at fuel docks, but it is not always easy to get in there, especially if you aren't buying fuel. A marina doesn't want to block the fuel dock with someone buying a $10 pumpout when boats are idling waiting to purchase $1000 worth of fuel, so try to time your visits for when there is nobody waiting and nobody at the dock, if you aren't paying for other services. Also, I have frequently heard that various pumpouts aren't working--more often than I think I should, making me somewhat suspicious that if the dock attendant thinks you are there just for the pumpout they may find suddenly that they have something better to do. I have moved on to a composting head and am much happier for doing so.
Jimm
All the previous information is helpful.
In addition to Captain Bob's I would get Claiborne Young's crusing guides. They give good information how to find and approach marinas plus pricing. And just finding and approaching some marinas is tricky.
Check http://cruisersnet.net/ for current local information.
I am at http://lightkeepersmarina.com/ at the Colquinna Basin just south of the SC/NC line. There is no pump out on Sundays here. However, it is known as a hurricane hole in case weather becomes issue.
Also, find Roger Long's posts about his recent trip south on this web site.
And the famous pontoon swing bridge to Sunset Island on the ICW is gone!!!
Ed K
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All the previous information is helpful.
In addition to Captain Bob's I would get Claiborne Young's crusing guides. They give good information how to find and approach marinas plus pricing. And just finding and approaching some marinas is tricky.
Check http://cruisersnet.net/ for current local information.
I am at http://lightkeepersmarina.com/ at the Colquinna Basin just south of the SC/NC line. There is no pump out on Sundays here. However, it is known as a hurricane hole in case weather becomes issue.
Also, find Roger Long's posts about his recent trip south on this web site.
And the famous pontoon swing bridge to Sunset Island on the ICW is gone!!!
Ed K
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What the hey! We're sailors. OK, you don't want to round Hatteras...You get to Beaufort (the Tarheel Beaufort) via the ditch, head out into Onslow Bay and you make for St. Augustine, they like sailors. In between, it is you and our dolphin kin! No mud, no deputies, and you pump over the side. Freedom!
St. Augustine doesn't like sailors who prefer to anchor out--they've paved over the entire harbor with moorings and put in a 30-day anchoring limit, plus a bunch of other silly rules.
AICW continued
It was said "Tarheel Beauford" ... which is not on AICW. Rather it is short loop off the ICW. It has good marinas, particularly Town Creek [http://www.towncreekmarina.com/contact.php] which not only has a typical ships store, but a maintenace and parts sales department. Beaufort, NC has a city dock with a worth while Maritime Museum. You have a co operative draw bridge to pass to get to the City Dock and then make a choice if you want open ocean or ICW. Going south and west on ICW is a Pita. But it has the marinas to stop at.
At Swansboro there is Casper's with its fuel dock right off the ICW. And they want your business. As I mentioned go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/ to check things out.
At this point, weather permitting you may want to go outside. As you approach Wilmington from the north you have several draw bridges which are guarenteed to delay you. And the cut to the Cape Fear River is tricky and skinny. But this is where the marinas are.
The inlets all require local knowlege and are not for cruisers with sailboats without local knowledge.
Ed K
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It was said "Tarheel Beauford" ... which is not on AICW. Rather it is short loop off the ICW. It has good marinas, particularly Town Creek [http://www.towncreekmarina.com/contact.php] which not only has a typical ships store, but a maintenace and parts sales department. Beaufort, NC has a city dock with a worth while Maritime Museum. You have a co operative draw bridge to pass to get to the City Dock and then make a choice if you want open ocean or ICW. Going south and west on ICW is a Pita. But it has the marinas to stop at.
At Swansboro there is Casper's with its fuel dock right off the ICW. And they want your business. As I mentioned go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/ to check things out.
At this point, weather permitting you may want to go outside. As you approach Wilmington from the north you have several draw bridges which are guarenteed to delay you. And the cut to the Cape Fear River is tricky and skinny. But this is where the marinas are.
The inlets all require local knowlege and are not for cruisers with sailboats without local knowledge.
Ed K
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I did the AICW with video
My wife and I did a trip from Petoskey Michigan to New Smyrna Beach Florida last year and I took video the whole way. If you want to see them just go to my You Tube channel "blowinganddrifting" or just Google that and it should take you there.
Our 85 C30 TR has the 5'4" draft and we made it just fine, other than a couple of knots in the gut now and then
Any questions, just let me know, Dean
http://youtu.be/6ks_gScc0F4
on second thought, try this link.
My wife and I did a trip from Petoskey Michigan to New Smyrna Beach Florida last year and I took video the whole way. If you want to see them just go to my You Tube channel "blowinganddrifting" or just Google that and it should take you there.
Our 85 C30 TR has the 5'4" draft and we made it just fine, other than a couple of knots in the gut now and then
Any questions, just let me know, Dean
http://youtu.be/6ks_gScc0F4
on second thought, try this link.
Ah, Caspers at Swansboro .... a true example of 'southern hospitality' and just one representative of the 'neighborliness' that one finds in the both NC & SC ... and GA. BUT, Caspers closes on the DOT of 5, still a 'good' place to stay a day or two.
Nothing like wild caught shrimp from the low country and bought fresh from a co-op, etc.
If you appreciate 'nature', and have the time 'the low country' is something to relish, enjoy at slow/leisurely speed ... especially up the small creeks off the ICW. The Francis Marion National Forest, full of gators, moccasins, swimming bobcats and bears sunning them selves in tree crotches is really quite stunningly beautiful but takes some time and slow speed to fully enjoy. NC/SC/GA/VA tidewater have to have some of the genuinely friendliest folks on the planet. If you have 6ft. or less draft the Dismal Swamp Route is a MUST ... and so is Elizabeth City at the southern terminus of the Dismal canal (free dockage 'all over the place' - just ask the bridge tender 'where'.) Cumberland Island GA is another MUST.
Running the ICW in the Carolinas is actually shorter than an outside passage, especially when most of the 'hot spots' / cities and large towns are waaaaay up river entrances and you burn up a lot of time running the inlets.
If you arent experienced in running 'inlets' ... get the 'SE Coast Inlet Chartbook' from WhiteSound Press (http://www.wspress.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=29&osCsid=7704280a76a20d43b5c38b0edc450af3) .... fills in all those 'greyed-out' inlets on the NOAA & 'chartplotter' charts.
The ICW is a great trip ... if youre not in a hurry, dont mind running aground from time to time, etc.
If you are in a hurry you can save time by going outside if you're willing to take an overnighter or two. If you look at an overall map of the coast it loops to the west from cape to cape, and you can cut across in a relatively straight line between some of those points to reduce distances quite substantially. Many people catch a mile norther and run offshore all the way from say Cape Fear to Fernandina Beach or St. Mary's River Florida. I do not recommend any of the inlets that are "greyed out" as Rich H calls them. Unless you know the area, it is flat calm, and you are prepared to go aground and be stuck for awhile, ignore any inlet that isn't fully charted with depths, buoys, etc. They aren't worth it, IMHO, and I've been in and out of a bunch of them. Charts of them would be useless anyway as the channels shift all the time. Google up some of the recent incidents where boats were lost at St. Augustine Inlet, and that is one of the better of the bunch amongst the "greyed out" ones.
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