My wife and I just finished sailing our Hunter 466 from Key West Florida to Annapolis, Maryland during the month of June 2004. For those who haven't done this trip I have some hard earned wisdom that I wish to share. First you can do this if you have at least one other person on board. It is easier with three or four but two people will do. CAN WE GET THROUGH WITH OUR MASTHEIGHT? Our stick is 63 feet and dispite what some cruising guides and charts say the only bridge that is fixed that you can't get under is in Miami. Go outside in calm weather from Fort Lauderdale to Miami and you will be fine. The Ocean was scary for us too but in the right weather there is nothing to worry about. CAN WE AVOID GOING AGROUND? It is unlikely that with a five foot draft or more that you will complete the ICW without going aground at least once. Make sure that your boat US or tow boat US insurance is in force as you will probably need to call them when you do hit the hard especially when the tide is falling. We went aground 5 times once with a licensed captain at the wheel. Trust me on this one.Lockwoods Follys is passable if you go on high tide. Do not go outside in North Carolina this is one of the mistakes that some people make. MARINAS ARE YOUR FRIENDS: We like staying at marinas each evening and anchored out only twice. Once we had trouble so for those timid souls, use marinas WILL POWER BOATS SWAMP US? Most powerboats were very respectful of us and even helped us find our way a few times. Ask them to slow down and you slow down too and everything will be fine. WHAT EQUIPMENT IS ESSENTIAL? A depth meter is paramount, a chartplotter is very useful, and either a handheld VHF or remote VHF for cockpit use is essential. Bring your cellphone as a backup for contacting Towboat US and the marinas. WHAT PROBLEMS DID YOU HAVE? I lost my glasses overboard just as we where about to leave Key West. Do you have neck straps. Going aground is not the worst thing but relax and let the pros handle this to avoid damaging your boat. Do not let the marina select the slip for you without you giving the OK. T slips are ok is protected. If they are on the ICW expect boat traffic and noise to keep you awake. Bring foul weather gear. You will be sailing in the rain sometime and being prepared takes the edge off. WHAT OTHER TIPS DO YOU HAVE? Sail during the rising tide and stop when the tide and current is strong. We went aground four times during ebb tide and only once during the rising stage when we just waited a few minutes and floated off. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? We were out for a month but we stayed put some days. A good three weeks is a good rule of thumb.
The ICW for Cowards
- Thread starter tim the terrible
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Thank you for taking the time to write down your experience. I really want to do this trip some time, probably next year. Annapolis to Miami. We'll see.
Thank you for taking the time to write down your experience. I really want to do this trip some time, probably next year. Annapolis to Miami. We'll see.
ICW Friendly
Good info on the ICW. We travelled from Toronto on Lake Ontario to Miami in the fall of 2001. We were only "outside"on the Jersey coast and from Lauderdale to Miami.Also used the Erie barge canal and the Hudson River. The vessel is a 46 foot Ketch with 5Foot 4inch draught.Lots of marinas and many good anchoring locations which we used whenever available. Great fun visiting the towns along the route most of which were cruiser friendly, however south of Norfolk repairs were much more difficult to find except in major centers like Lauderdale.Saw our first ever dolphins near Beaufort NC. Overall agreat trip and I highly recommend the ICW.
Good info on the ICW. We travelled from Toronto on Lake Ontario to Miami in the fall of 2001. We were only "outside"on the Jersey coast and from Lauderdale to Miami.Also used the Erie barge canal and the Hudson River. The vessel is a 46 foot Ketch with 5Foot 4inch draught.Lots of marinas and many good anchoring locations which we used whenever available. Great fun visiting the towns along the route most of which were cruiser friendly, however south of Norfolk repairs were much more difficult to find except in major centers like Lauderdale.Saw our first ever dolphins near Beaufort NC. Overall agreat trip and I highly recommend the ICW.
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