I am interested in information about the ICW especially doing it in deep draft vessels,ex.6'6'. is it possible to travel down the ICW carring this much draft? thanks
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Pete
DO THE BUMP!
George, there was a good article in Soundings maganize about the ICW and need for dredging and maintance. I think you will be doing alot a depth sounding with your keel at over 6 feet deep. the "ditch" has got a lot of depth issues with that much draft. Not impossible to do but be careful ! Good Luck !
George, there was a good article in Soundings maganize about the ICW and need for dredging and maintance. I think you will be doing alot a depth sounding with your keel at over 6 feet deep. the "ditch" has got a lot of depth issues with that much draft. Not impossible to do but be careful ! Good Luck !
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Frank
Not even close
My 23.5 centerboard hits in some areas that are supposed to be the ICW channel so I think you will hit in parts of NC too. Go slow and use a depth finder and you may be able to pass the whole thing if you watch the tides.
My 23.5 centerboard hits in some areas that are supposed to be the ICW channel so I think you will hit in parts of NC too. Go slow and use a depth finder and you may be able to pass the whole thing if you watch the tides.
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Scott Heller
Outside
We just recently went from Charleston to Panama City with 5'6" hinding under the water. Even at a foot less we just took the outside route. Sitting out weather (minor hurricane, etc...) and continuing when possible. With a boat your size, the navigational challenges will be greatly diminished and the sailing opportunities greatly enhanced by taking the outside route. We generally spent two days sailing (approx 48hrs), then several days in a new port. Including a week and a half sitting in Marathon, we completed the trip in three weeks. Autopilot failure(s) proved to be the only real significant negative of the entire trip. In or Out, have fun. Scott
We just recently went from Charleston to Panama City with 5'6" hinding under the water. Even at a foot less we just took the outside route. Sitting out weather (minor hurricane, etc...) and continuing when possible. With a boat your size, the navigational challenges will be greatly diminished and the sailing opportunities greatly enhanced by taking the outside route. We generally spent two days sailing (approx 48hrs), then several days in a new port. Including a week and a half sitting in Marathon, we completed the trip in three weeks. Autopilot failure(s) proved to be the only real significant negative of the entire trip. In or Out, have fun. Scott
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David Hirtle
Good Morning: While I would never presume to discourage anyone from doing the "Ditch", I must admit our experience two years ago was great but primarily because we had a 28' O'Day that drew 4'. We saw many boats who were over 5'5" that spent a goodly amount of time waiting to float free or worse. This does not mean that there aren't sections of the ICW that can't be accomplished by a boat of your size but suffice it to say, you might have a more enjoyable trip sailing waters that aren't as thin as many of the channels are on the ICW.
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Jeff Bacon
Probably Not ?
George: I plan to travel the ICW within the next year from Lake Erie. So, I have been avidly reading the journals of those who have made the trip, not all of which have been written by the familier names of sailing. While the prose may not be at a professional level, the first hand information should be invaluable. My take is that a boat with over 5 feet draft will have to take A LOT of care in A LOT of places alonf the ditch. Even 5 feet may have diffiulty from time to time, and will need to keep a close watch. From personal experience when I lived in New Jersy, I have hit the bottom in my power boat (2 foot draft max) right smack in the middle of the channel between 2 markers. Soft muck makes this a relative non event unles you really run yourself up on the bottom. Bottom Line: 1. I will try it with my 5 foot draft Hunter (maybe more when loaded), but I will, out of necessity, keep a close eye on the depth gauge. 2. I KNOW there are places in Jersy where I will have to be outside. I am trying to find out the other places where Outside is a must rather than a choice. 3. I will be inside as much as possible, or else we are not really "doing" the ICW. Pictures I have seen and people I have talked to have confirmed that Inside is a scenic, worthwhile event. 4. Find a way to do it Attached is one of the journals I read. A little dated, but might give you some insight
George: I plan to travel the ICW within the next year from Lake Erie. So, I have been avidly reading the journals of those who have made the trip, not all of which have been written by the familier names of sailing. While the prose may not be at a professional level, the first hand information should be invaluable. My take is that a boat with over 5 feet draft will have to take A LOT of care in A LOT of places alonf the ditch. Even 5 feet may have diffiulty from time to time, and will need to keep a close watch. From personal experience when I lived in New Jersy, I have hit the bottom in my power boat (2 foot draft max) right smack in the middle of the channel between 2 markers. Soft muck makes this a relative non event unles you really run yourself up on the bottom. Bottom Line: 1. I will try it with my 5 foot draft Hunter (maybe more when loaded), but I will, out of necessity, keep a close eye on the depth gauge. 2. I KNOW there are places in Jersy where I will have to be outside. I am trying to find out the other places where Outside is a must rather than a choice. 3. I will be inside as much as possible, or else we are not really "doing" the ICW. Pictures I have seen and people I have talked to have confirmed that Inside is a scenic, worthwhile event. 4. Find a way to do it Attached is one of the journals I read. A little dated, but might give you some insight
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Kenneth Pfaff
Look on CWBB
On the Cruising World BB today, there is some discussion of this very topic. Someone asked about going down this an 8 foot draft. One of the respones was that someone just did in with a 5'5" draft and they had no problem.
On the Cruising World BB today, there is some discussion of this very topic. Someone asked about going down this an 8 foot draft. One of the respones was that someone just did in with a 5'5" draft and they had no problem.
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