Hi, I'm nearing retirement and my dream is to cruise the icw. My question to any catalina owner who has done the icw. The sailboat I'm considering doing this on is the 30 foot model. Will this model be comfortable and safe for this passage. The crew will be my wife and myself. Is this to much boat for two people. Can the 30 foot model sail coastal in safe fashion. Any input on this is much appreciated Thanks Russ
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Jack
draft!
Give the draft of your new boat a huge consideration, Here in Florida the closer to 4 foot the better. I am not saying that a boat with a 5'6" draft can't make it, your just more likely have a bumpy ride! Stop by if your cruising this way, good luck, Jack
Give the draft of your new boat a huge consideration, Here in Florida the closer to 4 foot the better. I am not saying that a boat with a 5'6" draft can't make it, your just more likely have a bumpy ride! Stop by if your cruising this way, good luck, Jack
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Bill
No Problem
A 30'er with a shoal draft should be no problem. Keep in mind that most of the trip is more a question of motoring thru the ICW and popping the sails when the opportunity presents itself. You have to pop outside at NJ for a bit but with a little planning, not a problem. Most of the trip is well protected, just add a little sense and you would be good to go. A chartplotter with the proper chips would be your best friend. It is a interesting trip, allow plenty of time to see the sights, stop along the way and soak it all in.
A 30'er with a shoal draft should be no problem. Keep in mind that most of the trip is more a question of motoring thru the ICW and popping the sails when the opportunity presents itself. You have to pop outside at NJ for a bit but with a little planning, not a problem. Most of the trip is well protected, just add a little sense and you would be good to go. A chartplotter with the proper chips would be your best friend. It is a interesting trip, allow plenty of time to see the sights, stop along the way and soak it all in.
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John
NY TO New Bern, NC
My wife and I sailed our Catalina 320 from NY to New Bern , NC without a problem. The boat draws 4'10". We sailed the Jersey Coast to Atlantic CIty and then onto Cape May. Motored up the Delaware Bay and thru the C and D Canal. Sailed the C Bay which we loved and spend around 2 1/2 weeks exploring. Motored down the ditch to New Bern. You should not have a problem. John
My wife and I sailed our Catalina 320 from NY to New Bern , NC without a problem. The boat draws 4'10". We sailed the Jersey Coast to Atlantic CIty and then onto Cape May. Motored up the Delaware Bay and thru the C and D Canal. Sailed the C Bay which we loved and spend around 2 1/2 weeks exploring. Motored down the ditch to New Bern. You should not have a problem. John
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Bob
Same Vessel, Same Idea
Russ. We have a 1988 Mark II Model with the 3'10" winged keel. I did the ICW back in 1984 on a vessel (Coronado 35) with a 5'6" draft. If it were not for the powerful Perkins 4-108 diesel we would probably still be aground!! The draft choice and the power choice are key considerations for ICW travel. If you can find a vessel with the winged or 4' foot keel consider that over the deeper draft model. The difference could pay off in dozens if not hundreds of shallower anchorages. I am not sure which year you are looking at but the models (87+) with the Universal M-25 (3 cylinder) engine may provide the power needed to fight the currents and tackle the tides in the Caralina's and Georgia as well as get you out of harms way faster. Our model has the standard Universal M-18 (2 cylinder) 14 hp model that may not give me the power I may need unless I plan my travel on the tide tables in those states. A three blade prop can help as well. Many older Catalina's were powered by the Atomic 4 gas engine, which were the workhorses in the 70's and 80's. The Universal 11 HP was used as well, but kept the vessel a bit too lazy under power. Most of the ICW south of Virginia is run under power unless favorable winds and space allow for a steady reach or run without going out of the channel. I cannot wait to get back and do the ICW again on our 30 Cat. which will be happening soon. The Catalina 30 is an excellent choice, with plenty of space and great performance. It provides all the amenities one needs for coastal cruising. Best of luck Bob Breezin II
Russ. We have a 1988 Mark II Model with the 3'10" winged keel. I did the ICW back in 1984 on a vessel (Coronado 35) with a 5'6" draft. If it were not for the powerful Perkins 4-108 diesel we would probably still be aground!! The draft choice and the power choice are key considerations for ICW travel. If you can find a vessel with the winged or 4' foot keel consider that over the deeper draft model. The difference could pay off in dozens if not hundreds of shallower anchorages. I am not sure which year you are looking at but the models (87+) with the Universal M-25 (3 cylinder) engine may provide the power needed to fight the currents and tackle the tides in the Caralina's and Georgia as well as get you out of harms way faster. Our model has the standard Universal M-18 (2 cylinder) 14 hp model that may not give me the power I may need unless I plan my travel on the tide tables in those states. A three blade prop can help as well. Many older Catalina's were powered by the Atomic 4 gas engine, which were the workhorses in the 70's and 80's. The Universal 11 HP was used as well, but kept the vessel a bit too lazy under power. Most of the ICW south of Virginia is run under power unless favorable winds and space allow for a steady reach or run without going out of the channel. I cannot wait to get back and do the ICW again on our 30 Cat. which will be happening soon. The Catalina 30 is an excellent choice, with plenty of space and great performance. It provides all the amenities one needs for coastal cruising. Best of luck Bob Breezin II
Buffalo, NY to Charleston, SC
My wife & I made the trip last year from Buffalo to Charleston SC in our Catalina 320. No problem. The Erie Canal was great. Hudson River to NYC. Outside to Cape May. No problem just watch the weather. Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake Bay were fun. Mostly motored after that. Keep the dream. Make the trip. If you come to Buffalo let me know.
My wife & I made the trip last year from Buffalo to Charleston SC in our Catalina 320. No problem. The Erie Canal was great. Hudson River to NYC. Outside to Cape May. No problem just watch the weather. Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake Bay were fun. Mostly motored after that. Keep the dream. Make the trip. If you come to Buffalo let me know.
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Russ Imler
icw
Chuck, Thanks for your response. My wife and I were just discussing the erie canal. Was there any problems motoring the canal with your mast stowed and once you exited the canal was there a marina close capable of raising the mast. The trip you took sounds great..maybe something on the line that I'm wanting to do. Did you have any problems going outside and retuning to the icw. My wife and I are small lake sailors owning a catalina 22. Our plans are to take some sailing lessons at one of the sailing schools prior to doning the trip. We've owned our 22 footer for eight years now and have whenever possible. Do you think the sailing schools would be of any benefit to us? Well thanks again for responding ...Hope to here from you again Thanks Russ
Chuck, Thanks for your response. My wife and I were just discussing the erie canal. Was there any problems motoring the canal with your mast stowed and once you exited the canal was there a marina close capable of raising the mast. The trip you took sounds great..maybe something on the line that I'm wanting to do. Did you have any problems going outside and retuning to the icw. My wife and I are small lake sailors owning a catalina 22. Our plans are to take some sailing lessons at one of the sailing schools prior to doning the trip. We've owned our 22 footer for eight years now and have whenever possible. Do you think the sailing schools would be of any benefit to us? Well thanks again for responding ...Hope to here from you again Thanks Russ
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Dick Navratil
Russ I have done the trip several times, no problem. I've done it from Lake Superior all the way to Key West. Erie canal is not a problem either with mast on deck. Lock attendants are friendly and helpful. Never feel pressured to go fast, work into position at your pace in locks. Going south be mindful of budget cuts arent allowing dredging in some areas as often as needed. Stay to the center of narrow channels and if meeting tugs and such in narrow areas, slow down to a crawl and move over. I'm mostly refering to areas south of Norfolk. Mostly, plan enough time to enjoy the trip. Dick N.
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