New owner to irwin43 ,so whats the best overall trip from south florida to maryland considering its anew boat to me?I just heard there are lots of bridges etc to contend with in florida.Any other tidbits of info regarding the icw this time of year?Botton line,whats the pros and cons for the ICW vs. outside keeping in mind I have no experience with either. Thanks richard sailmaster39@msn.com
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Giving your inexperience...
The IWC is the way for you to go. The bridges are a piece of cake. There are marine services, resturants and marinas along the route and the trip is very enjoyable. Places to anchor for the night with nice vista. You'll need a hand held VHF for the bridge tenders plus you can stop each day to top off the ice and fuel. Get a good chart or buy the correct chips for your GPS and you're all set.
The IWC is the way for you to go. The bridges are a piece of cake. There are marine services, resturants and marinas along the route and the trip is very enjoyable. Places to anchor for the night with nice vista. You'll need a hand held VHF for the bridge tenders plus you can stop each day to top off the ice and fuel. Get a good chart or buy the correct chips for your GPS and you're all set.
Open ocean
I would head up via the Atlantic Ocean. With the price of fuel going up every day, I think the best route would be a 2 or 3 days leg out at sea, then head in when you want real food and a hot shower. Around the Hatteris Island area, I would stay about 100 miles out, then head closer to shore as you approach the Chesapeake Bay. I have taken both the ICW and the ocean passage. If you are not in a hurry and have money to burn, the ICW would be the way to go, although I would advise never make passage during the night. The ocean passage lets you iron out the kinks of the boat and is a much faster course. Good luck and good sailing
I would head up via the Atlantic Ocean. With the price of fuel going up every day, I think the best route would be a 2 or 3 days leg out at sea, then head in when you want real food and a hot shower. Around the Hatteris Island area, I would stay about 100 miles out, then head closer to shore as you approach the Chesapeake Bay. I have taken both the ICW and the ocean passage. If you are not in a hurry and have money to burn, the ICW would be the way to go, although I would advise never make passage during the night. The ocean passage lets you iron out the kinks of the boat and is a much faster course. Good luck and good sailing
Are you an experienced sailor or boater?
How many crew are you going to have? Also, make sure you have a up-to-date copy of the charts and tide/current info.
How many crew are you going to have? Also, make sure you have a up-to-date copy of the charts and tide/current info.
As you have no experience with either
and it's a new (to you) boat I would suggest a fairly conservative approach. Mostly inside with the odd jaunt outside where the daily run will allow you to reach an easy inlet. When you get to Fernandina Beach go outside (weather permitting) to Charleston. This way you'll skip all of Georgia, which is a good thing as the sounds there are sometimes difficult and the stretch through Jekyll Island is getting worse every year with no relief in sight. (sorry you folks from GA). This usually takes a bit more than 24 hours. From Charleston I'd suggest sticking to the ICW till you get to the Chesapeake. This way you'll avoid Frying Pan Shoal and Cape Hatteras. Bridges are not a problem on the ICW unless your rig is over 60 ft. then a few of them might be iffy at high tide. If you're starting south of Ft. Lauderdale you'll have to go outside for the first leg as there's a low bridge north of Miami (Julia Tuttle).
and it's a new (to you) boat I would suggest a fairly conservative approach. Mostly inside with the odd jaunt outside where the daily run will allow you to reach an easy inlet. When you get to Fernandina Beach go outside (weather permitting) to Charleston. This way you'll skip all of Georgia, which is a good thing as the sounds there are sometimes difficult and the stretch through Jekyll Island is getting worse every year with no relief in sight. (sorry you folks from GA). This usually takes a bit more than 24 hours. From Charleston I'd suggest sticking to the ICW till you get to the Chesapeake. This way you'll avoid Frying Pan Shoal and Cape Hatteras. Bridges are not a problem on the ICW unless your rig is over 60 ft. then a few of them might be iffy at high tide. If you're starting south of Ft. Lauderdale you'll have to go outside for the first leg as there's a low bridge north of Miami (Julia Tuttle).
Why dont you hire a delivery capt
You would gain tons of experience by going with him and learning your boat a the same time. I think it would be a great investment! would add to the safety of your trip and you would see how it should be done by a pro. probably not as expensive as you think especally concidering they usually go the fastest way they can.
You would gain tons of experience by going with him and learning your boat a the same time. I think it would be a great investment! would add to the safety of your trip and you would see how it should be done by a pro. probably not as expensive as you think especally concidering they usually go the fastest way they can.
what do you call short handed.
What do you call short handed or is it a concern from lack of experince. The Amiral and I have done many 4-5 day passages and tons of 1-2 days while transiting to the southern Caribe and traveling here. 2 person can be done safely by making sure both parties can sail the boat and each gets sleep in the off shift. We found that 2 days was the worst. 1 day you can live easily without much sleep. 2 days you just start to get into a rythm but get tired as you proabally didn't sleep much the first day. 3 + is a breeze. The brain and the body adjusts to the new schedule.We have enjoyed the long off shore trips. We ususally do 2-4 hour shifts and will change them if one of is awake and the other is sleepy. Don't be afraid, just plan the weather window and enjoy the ride it is an experince many sailors never get and it is one of my favorites. In fact we are getting ready for and overnighter from PLC, Venezuela to the Grand Roques one of the out islands on our way to Bonaire.
What do you call short handed or is it a concern from lack of experince. The Amiral and I have done many 4-5 day passages and tons of 1-2 days while transiting to the southern Caribe and traveling here. 2 person can be done safely by making sure both parties can sail the boat and each gets sleep in the off shift. We found that 2 days was the worst. 1 day you can live easily without much sleep. 2 days you just start to get into a rythm but get tired as you proabally didn't sleep much the first day. 3 + is a breeze. The brain and the body adjusts to the new schedule.We have enjoyed the long off shore trips. We ususally do 2-4 hour shifts and will change them if one of is awake and the other is sleepy. Don't be afraid, just plan the weather window and enjoy the ride it is an experince many sailors never get and it is one of my favorites. In fact we are getting ready for and overnighter from PLC, Venezuela to the Grand Roques one of the out islands on our way to Bonaire.
jsut a thought
Did the trip in reverse last year and so did the intercoastal from Jacksonville south. Why? The Gulf Stream! Hey, it flows NORTH so if I was going to do it, I'd sail the ocean to Jacksonville using the Gulf Stream for a push, then puddle jump from city to city to Moorhead city, or Cape Fear. Then take the ICW to Norfolk and the Peake.
Did the trip in reverse last year and so did the intercoastal from Jacksonville south. Why? The Gulf Stream! Hey, it flows NORTH so if I was going to do it, I'd sail the ocean to Jacksonville using the Gulf Stream for a push, then puddle jump from city to city to Moorhead city, or Cape Fear. Then take the ICW to Norfolk and the Peake.
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