We are coming down the ICW from NY to Florida ( and thru to the West Coast of Florida) We would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience in this trip. S.L.Japhe (also can be reached at: sljaphe@aol.com)
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Brent Headberg
NY to Fla ICW
Greetings, I saw your post about your trip down the ICW from New York to Florida and across to the West Coast. If you're planning to cross the State via the Okeechobee Waterway thru St. Lucie River, Lake Okeechobee and Caloosahachie River over to Ft. Myers, there is a height restriction on one of the fixed bridges at 55 feet. Check your charts and your clearance before making passage up the St. Lucie River. Have a safe trip, Cap'n Brent West Palm Beach, FL
Greetings, I saw your post about your trip down the ICW from New York to Florida and across to the West Coast. If you're planning to cross the State via the Okeechobee Waterway thru St. Lucie River, Lake Okeechobee and Caloosahachie River over to Ft. Myers, there is a height restriction on one of the fixed bridges at 55 feet. Check your charts and your clearance before making passage up the St. Lucie River. Have a safe trip, Cap'n Brent West Palm Beach, FL
P
Pete Vente
Bridge clearance
Actually, the bridge at Port Mayaca on the eastern edge of Lake Okeechobee is about 49' depending on the water levels in the lake. I went through it two weeks ago with my 37c (50' mast - we heeled her over with a dinghy and myself on the end of the boom) and the actual bridge clearance was around 48.5'. Other than the lake, the ICW through Florida is fairly boring with long stretches of straightened canals (I call them ditches) and 5 locks - although only 4 were in operation (the lock on the eastern edge of the lake was left open). Good luck.
Actually, the bridge at Port Mayaca on the eastern edge of Lake Okeechobee is about 49' depending on the water levels in the lake. I went through it two weeks ago with my 37c (50' mast - we heeled her over with a dinghy and myself on the end of the boom) and the actual bridge clearance was around 48.5'. Other than the lake, the ICW through Florida is fairly boring with long stretches of straightened canals (I call them ditches) and 5 locks - although only 4 were in operation (the lock on the eastern edge of the lake was left open). Good luck.
S
S. Japhe
Additonal info re: ICW
Brent: Thanks for your input. My mast is only 46 ft. so it shouldn' be a problem. Actually I was looking for additional info on the Va., No. and So. Carolina part of the trip down. E.G., how long is one in open water and in what parts of the leg? I found a terriffic web site called "The Voyage South" by a couple named Deborah and Michael Whitt, which gives a mile-by-mile report on the anchorages in this area, but the site is under constrution and one can only download the first 7 pages of this 21 page epic. ( they must be on an extended cruise on their boat, "Morning Mist" cause they don't respond to E-Mails )Any thing else you can add will be greatly appreciated. Cordially, S.L. Japhe
Brent: Thanks for your input. My mast is only 46 ft. so it shouldn' be a problem. Actually I was looking for additional info on the Va., No. and So. Carolina part of the trip down. E.G., how long is one in open water and in what parts of the leg? I found a terriffic web site called "The Voyage South" by a couple named Deborah and Michael Whitt, which gives a mile-by-mile report on the anchorages in this area, but the site is under constrution and one can only download the first 7 pages of this 21 page epic. ( they must be on an extended cruise on their boat, "Morning Mist" cause they don't respond to E-Mails )Any thing else you can add will be greatly appreciated. Cordially, S.L. Japhe
P
Paul Mieszczenski
Can't wait to do it again
The Mid-Atlantic Waterway guide is a must for the trip. It gives yearly updated info about the passage from Norfolk to the Florida/ Georgia border. Each section has a comprehensive list of marinas that you can use to plan each days passage. The Chesapeake has its' own guide and I would recomend that too. Be sure your depth sounder is working as this is the most important instrument needed for the trip. The knotmeter is basically useless except for indicating sail trim (not much of that after you leave Beaufort,NC) or your usual cruising speed if you don't have a tachometer. The tide in this area runs from 7 to 9 feet down thru Georgia, and the only way to know your speed over the bottom is the GPS. If possible, take your time and enjoy all the history and hospitality available along the way. It's a great trip and as the title says I can't wait to do it again. Good luck,PM
The Mid-Atlantic Waterway guide is a must for the trip. It gives yearly updated info about the passage from Norfolk to the Florida/ Georgia border. Each section has a comprehensive list of marinas that you can use to plan each days passage. The Chesapeake has its' own guide and I would recomend that too. Be sure your depth sounder is working as this is the most important instrument needed for the trip. The knotmeter is basically useless except for indicating sail trim (not much of that after you leave Beaufort,NC) or your usual cruising speed if you don't have a tachometer. The tide in this area runs from 7 to 9 feet down thru Georgia, and the only way to know your speed over the bottom is the GPS. If possible, take your time and enjoy all the history and hospitality available along the way. It's a great trip and as the title says I can't wait to do it again. Good luck,PM
B
Bob Hinely
ICW-SC thru FL
Do your homework, and make sure you know where you're gonna be when the sun goes down. You do not want to be traveling the ditch at night. It's a good feeling to have the hook set and watch the sunset or be sitting in a waterway tavern after dark while the boat gets some rest pierside. I concur with remarks about the Waterway Guides, they are worth their weight in gold. We live and travel aboard a deep draft Hunter 34 and my personal concern is depth. Follow the charts magenta line or stay centered and vigilant. Cross currents pop up around sounds and inlets and can make life interesting. Once you cross into Florida, be extra vigilant of the depth, and up the attention level even more south of Daytona. Although we have only traveled the stretch between Cape Canaveral and Hilton Head, if the guide said beware (Ponce Inlet, Fields Cut in GA, etc) they were right. All in all, it's a great experience and I'm looking forward to seeing New England in the summer and south Florida in the winter. I just wish this "work" thing would quit interrupting my plans! See you in the ditch, Bobby and Kathy s/v GRACE
Do your homework, and make sure you know where you're gonna be when the sun goes down. You do not want to be traveling the ditch at night. It's a good feeling to have the hook set and watch the sunset or be sitting in a waterway tavern after dark while the boat gets some rest pierside. I concur with remarks about the Waterway Guides, they are worth their weight in gold. We live and travel aboard a deep draft Hunter 34 and my personal concern is depth. Follow the charts magenta line or stay centered and vigilant. Cross currents pop up around sounds and inlets and can make life interesting. Once you cross into Florida, be extra vigilant of the depth, and up the attention level even more south of Daytona. Although we have only traveled the stretch between Cape Canaveral and Hilton Head, if the guide said beware (Ponce Inlet, Fields Cut in GA, etc) they were right. All in all, it's a great experience and I'm looking forward to seeing New England in the summer and south Florida in the winter. I just wish this "work" thing would quit interrupting my plans! See you in the ditch, Bobby and Kathy s/v GRACE
- Status
- Not open for further replies.