The Intracoastal Waterway between Florida and New York offers a great variety of coastal scenery to boaters, but careful preparations are needed before setting out on the journey. Bridge openings are another consideration but when you know your speed you can factor in the openings. As you go from state to state you’ll switch from VHF channels to talk to bridge operators. My favorite "hobby" is riding on the back of our Harley-Davidson Road Glide traveling cross country -- which we usually do at least once each year. On paper charts they’re clear boxes, and on electronic charts are red and white horizontal bars. About the Authors Katie and Gene Hamilton are authors of Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway and Lessons Learned Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In 2007, I upgraded to a 2005 Precision 23, Purr’n, named after my cat.I keep Purr’n on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, and sail around the nearby islands. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. The route is properly called the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, or ICW, although it is universally referred to as “The Ditch” by boaters. With a fuel capacity of 190 gallons, the Swift Trawler 30 reports a cruising range of about 200 miles, so be mindful on long stretches with limited services. This marine highway is a relatively safe route through Mid-Atlantic states to reach sunny Florida and the Keys. Know your boat’s air draft—the distance from the surface of the water to the highest point on a boat—to see if you require an opening. And times goes by easily while underway as you pass by a variety of terrain and shoreline. Communicate with a boat you want to overtake on the VHF or a horn toot (one for a starboard pass, two for a port pass). Just getting there is more than half the fun, when you’re cruising south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), a 1243-mile waterway that connects rivers, canals, sounds and land cuts on the Atlantic coast. Few American-made cruising boats have lines that are prettier; the elegant Corsair with its graceful tumblehome aft, bow flair forward, and terrific teak accents, will turn as many heads and raise as many eyebrows as the sexiest Italian build. When going south, “red, right, returning” is not always the rule to follow. After sailing the Chesapeake, and we begin cruising south down the intracoastal waterway, which is called the ditch, or the ICW. As a Marketing Specialist and Brand Ambassador for Harley-Davidson for over a decade, I lived and worked all over North America. (Long road trips are my favorite.) As such it touches most of the Old Confederacy and many historic sites dating from before the Civil War. We fend off the boat with boat hooks until the lock has completed its cycle and we can cast off and get underway. Here are five examples of boat owners who are living the dream—and five good trawlers to consider if you decide to plan a cruise of your own. In the fall of any given year you’ll find the perennial snowbirds using the Waterway to head south with Midwest and Canadian hailing ports. [email protected] And if that’s not far enough for you, the Intercoastal Waterway system also extends from Florida on the Gulf side all the way around to Brownsville, Texas. When I'm not on the road, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). While we’ve seen many changes in the spread and growth of the maritime harbor towns, the beauty of natural wildlife areas and lush landscape remains the same. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller, you’ve got a good idea of who I am. The tannin will stain the bow of your boat forming the famous "ICW Mustache". Peeking through the thick woods, it would be almost startling to see a 50-foot luxury yacht motoring along just a few feet away — especially since you couldn’t see the canal from the road while driving. I'm SUPER organized and I love to pack! This Great Circle Route Guide will help you make plans for the ultimate American voyage! Call the lockmaster on Channel 13 and request to lock through. I started sailing in 2004 on a Precision 23 that I purchased at an auction. I’ve been involved in RVing for 50 years now — including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) is a continuous and mostly protected navigable route from Miami, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia.Originally conceived in 1802 for commercial use, today it is primarily used by recreational vessels, however light-draft commercial vessels along with small tugs pulling barges will make use of the AICW to avoid exposed open ocean passages. And you won’t be alone given that the AICWA, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, estimates 12,000 recreational boaters, transient and local, will be using the Waterway in the coming year. The heading marker will run from the center to the top of the screen, while the EBL runs from the center to the bottom. We use an anchor sentinel with a light drop weight to prevent the anchor line from getting tangled on the prop or rudder when the boat swings. here, as the entire ICW is free to recreational boaters, while it is all those commercial vessels pay their way (and ours). An air draft of 16 feet, 11 inches and a water draft of 3 feet, 5 inches are acceptable. Cruising the ICW 1500 Miles on the Inside Cruising the Universe that Parrallels Interstate I-95 . We headed out of Vero beach and made it to Titusville with no incidents. The boat sleeps four, though most buyers — past and present — are couples. We use a spring line secured to a cleat amidship and hand it to a dockhand to secure. Annapolis, MD 21403 Most cruisers leave the Chesapeake Bay in mid-October, after a stop at the Annapolis Power Boat Show or Trawler Fest in Baltimore. Nordhavn launched its first distance cruising powerboat, the N46, in 1989—finally putting to rest the long-held idea that only sailboats … Avoiding the dangers of the open ocean, you can travel this system of canals, rivers, and protected waters up and down the East Coast in safety and comfort! The shoreline includes a wide range of marina facilities and protective anchorages for any size power boat. Heading north from Beaufort, S.C., on the morning tide late in April, our 82-year-old motor yacht, Cygnus II, glides through the beautiful marshes we’ve called … The most important ingredient is time. I am not sure if I would take any houseboat a 100 miles off shore ever. We even rode from Tennessee to Alaska once! A delivery captain and cruising sailor spills his guts about diversifying the Intracoastal Waterway experience, countering disturbing cruising trends, and spending more time actually sailing. If the front-range marker begins to appear to move to the right the boat is drifting toward the left side of the channel. The wind has been south at 15-20+ with small craft advisories since last Saturday. Save it to read again later… or share with others on Pinterest! Don’t slow down until your boat is near, then go as slowly as the other boat allows. The galley includes a two-burner cooktop and oven, refrigerator, twin sinks and storage. It’s a helpful aid especially to look ahead on a long stretch or where two bodies of water connect, like the intersection of the ICW with St. Lucie Inlet or crossing the Savannah River. A range is a navigation aid designed to help commercial vessels stay in the channel at long stretches of a river and at bends and curves in the Waterway. The skipper will probably also act as a guide. Cruising the Gulf ICW in Texas. Many portions of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway system experience heavy commercial traffic (as barges move around the country). As a lifelong traveler, I like to help people find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Travel Hacks that most wouldn't think of. Traveling the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway requires a good knowledge of all the various parts of the system: Reed’s Nautical Almanac is one publication that can guide you over the full length of the system. I, on the other hand, am not such a person. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a highway of sorts for smaller boats. Set the unit to “Heads Up” mode so the screen reads zero at the top and 180 degrees at the botton. As a local historian, I've also written about other popular landmarks and attractions for a variety of publications. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a highway of sorts for smaller boats. The dark tannin waters and miles of secluded tree-lined riverbanks give way to turquoise ocean water and white sandy dunes at sounds and inlets. If the boat begins to drift out of the channel, you’ll notice as the lines on the screen move away from the marks. When you have to pass by a working a dredge, confirm which side the dredge operator wants you to pass. Cruising the ICW can be a very social affair because you soon find you’re seeing the same boats at the end of the day. Ask if there are lines in the lock or if you use your own, and which side of the lock to tie to so you know where to hang fenders. Then the helmsman turns hard over away from the dock and boat moves against it with time to secure a bow and stern line. These boats tend to be a no-frills option to the houseboat category with practicability built in mind. When the lock opens, have crew on the bow and stern to pick up a line on the lock wall or secure one from the boat around a bollard. CHRIS CRAFT 36 CORSAIR: Couples Only. Safety at Sea: Surviving a … We also didn't want a mast higher than 60 ft to be sure of getting under ICW bridges which are supposed to be a minimum of 65 ft at high tide but are often lower (64, even 63 ft! With that said I have no problem going in open water say for a 50 to 60 mile jump to protected water. “There are small ships, and tall ships, and ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, so here’s to you and me.” Anonymous. The numbered red and green marks line the shoreline of the Waterway. Along the way they meet cruisers from the East Coast and delivery crew on mega yachts following the sun, many bound for the Bahamas and Florida ports of call. Essentially it is just a series of day trips, and each year thousands of cruisers make the run. The Chris Craft 36 – a small but beautiful cruiser. You are never out of sight of land, which is the point of the ICW. Here, on this Travel Guide, I like sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about all the places I've been -- so you will have a good idea of what those places are like and what you should know before you go. If there’s no reply to your call pass on the side of the dredge displaying the two vertical diamond shapes that signal ‘safe passage.’ When you’re the boat being passed, slow down as the overtaking boat closes in on your stern and cut the throttle to idle speed. (Can you say bucket list?) The tide boards at the bridge shows the clearance depending on the state of the tide. I hope you find my travel tips and recommendations helpful! The red ICW markers move to the left side of the river channel because you’re traveling toward the ocean; later you re-enter the waterway and the reds are back on the right. Eric Smith. 612 Third Street, Suite 3C Until my son was born a few years ago, I was a diehard motorcycle enthusiast who traveled the globe. 410.216.9309 Now, grounded as a first-time mom, I share my love for outdoor adventure with my son and extended family in the Smoky Mountains... and beyond. A cell phone operates in most stretches of the waterway except in some remote areas where service can drop. There are countless safe anchorages along the ICW, in the wide open rivers and creeks where one anchor with chain is enough to handle the tidal range. The current always wins against the wind, so we’re not bashful about calling a marina and asking for the best approach to the dock. In southern low country, strong tidal currents sometimes require using two anchors set in a Bahamian mooring system to reduce the swing of the boat while allowing it to move 180 degrees and face the changing current. Just south of Norfolk, you choose between two routes: both lead to Albemarle Sound and the Alligator River. After all, a man’s gotta eat! I’ve owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. There are two important facts to remember about aids along the Intracoastal Waterway: they run clockwise around the coast and they are uniquely marked.Because the ICW runs along the shore, the conventional adage of “red, right, returning from seaward” becomes unclear. I authored the book Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Images of Modern America, which details the colorful history of the Busch Gardens theme park. Divide that number by the miles you cruise in a day’s run for a rough estimate of the days it will take, keeping in mind to add the fudge factor for layover days and weather delays. With our boat’s crew of two, as we approach we decide which line to grab or bollard to use and Katie goes to the bow with a boat hook and picks up a line (or secures one), while Gene stops the boat and moves to the stern to pick up a stern line (or secure one). Since 2011, we've logged over 150,000 miles riding our motorcycle all across the USA. The wind has been south at 15-20+ with small craft advisories since last Saturday. Maybe not the best for winning races but we didn't race anyway - we wanted a comfortable boat for long term cruising. Charts of the ICW show a magenta line to use as a guideline between the red and green markers of the Waterway. While some have been damaged, those that remain help cruisers, too. For them, the ICW will hold a lot of appeal with its numerous small towns and other interesting places to stop along the way. If you plan an earlier departure you can buy a rider that extends the coverage. If you’re in a hurry, your cruising style will be more like a delivery crew; if not, you can take time to visit an area and friends along the way. Whether you’re holed up in a snug anchorage or tied in a marina you’ll find other boaters who travel the same distance y ou do, and you’ll probably share a “docktails” together and discuss the day’s run and what to expect the next. You will be able to … PRECISION 23. Almost every diesel-powered boat I have ever surveyed or delivered could make this trip however; our preferences while not extravagant are a little beyond “basic”. The ICW is a continuous navigable waterway from Norfolk to Key West strung along the eastern seaboard—passing through, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida—is one of our favorite cruising grounds. Senior Sales Consultant, Partner eric.smith@atlantic-cruising.com 410-703-5655 More from Eric >> Boat Business Webinars, Videos, Blogs, Learning center and more. Our many, many accounts of cruising the Intracoastal Waterway may be found here. ... 12 Sailboats Vie for Boat of the Year Honors. Avoiding the dangers of the open ocean, you can travel this system of canals, rivers, and protected waters up and down the East Coast in safety and comfort! Remember: steer toward the front marker of the range to return to the center of the channel. 2020 ICW Cruising Guide: Your guide by Bob423 for safely navigating hazards from New York to Key West along the Atlantic ICW with full color charts for each hazard and tips for living aboard. 15 - How to prevent the "ICW Mustache" When traveling down the ICW you will run into water with a lot of tannin, especially in swampy areas. I do all of my own repair work. Born and raised in Tampa, I grew up visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Cruising the Gulf ICW in Texas. When most cruisers think of the ICW, they are thinking of the Atlantic ICW from Norfolk, VA to Key West, FL. Weather broadcasts are very accurate for a 24 hour window if you listen and understand what they are saying. The charming harbor towns and picturesque anchorages make it easy to spend days in one place. When on a road trip I want to reach my destination as soon as comfortably possible. I've lived in 6 different states (Florida, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas) and have visited every other state in the U.S. -- except Hawaii. If you have a change of crew or plan to leave the boat half way, consider harbor town with an airport nearby. If you’re going to Marathon, FL, at mile 1193 in the Keys you have 1193 miles to go from Norfolk at Mile 0. You can stay abreast of improvements, repairs and other news by becoming a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. At many yachting destinations you can charter a yacht with crew, which means you can get the experience of cruising with small craft with no previous skills or knowledge related to boat handling. I especially enjoy helping others plan fun trips... on a budget! There are plenty of wonderful stops along the way, which will enable you to experience the different cuisine — including Maine lobster, fresh Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and oysters, maybe even some New Orleans crawfish or gumbo. I’m a Florida native, a roller coaster junkie, and a frequent traveler. We’ve made the passage 13 times beginning in 1975 from Chicago and most recently in October, 2012, from our home waters at the Miles River YC in St. Michaels. ). A spacious galley and cockpit area mirror an open sundeck on the stern and roof. There are many other Atlantic ICW Guides available on Amazon. So the Coast Guard adopted the following clockwise convention: moving in a southerly direction along the Atlantic Coast, then in a northerly, then westerly direction al… © 2020 SpinSheet Publishing Company, Cruising South on the Intracoastal Waterway, Waterway Guide’s Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lessons Learned Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, The Moving Community of Cruisers Along the ICW. The Virginia Cut has one lock at Great Bridge and is slightly shorter; the more scenic Dismal Swamp with two locks is a step back in time but can be prone to shallow water, depending on rainfall. The exceptions are when the Waterway crosses an inlet or enters a river system, so there can be confusion. If you’re passing a tug or commercial vessel, call and ask if the skipper prefers that you pass on one side or the other, because he’s less maneuverable and has a deeper draft. But this waterway system also provides a safe route for pleasure boaters who are looking to avoid rough seas in the open Atlantic Ocean.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thefuntimesguide_com-box-3','ezslot_4',803,'0','0'])); While I was living in Elizabeth City, North Carolina as I traveled north toward Norfolk, Virginia the highway ran parallel to a part of the waterway that runs through the Great Dismal Swamp. When it’s safe to move your boat in front of the boat passed, accelerate to your cruising speed. ICW or open water cruising in a houseboat by: Tug boat Capt. But we consider the line an aide (not gospel) and take temporary buoys more seriously, having seen boats hard aground where the magenta line is indicated on the chart. Still, even I found something magical about cruising up the ICW. The length of time it takes to cruise the ICW depends on your destination, the speed of your boat, bridge openings, and your cruising style. The most boat for the least money, these boats make for an excellent live aboard and extended cruising vessel. Beneteau Swift Trawler 30. We have great respect for the current when docking especially in the Carolinas and Georgia. Authorized by Congress in 1919, the Intracoastal Waterway system is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Here’s the official NOAA Intracoastal Waterway map — plus helpful charts and a list of ICW marinas. I've been on several different cruises, airplanes, and boats in my life and I currently enjoy the outdoors by bicycling, motorcycling, Jeeping, RVing, camping, or just walking my dogs. 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Learned cruising the Universe that Parrallels Interstate I-95 depending on the other hand, am such! And style of RV ever made m a Florida native, a man ’ s got ta eat:! Old Confederacy and many historic sites dating from before the Civil War Lessons Learned the... And hand it to a cleat amidship and hand it to a dockhand to secure bow! And stern line you are never out of sight of land, which is called ditch! Small but beautiful cruiser to point toward the front marker of the Waterway Swamp with hand! Trip of more than 1,000 nautical miles may seem daunting, it needn ’ t be intimidating routes! Than 1,000 nautical miles may seem daunting, it needn ’ t slow down until your boat forming famous... From state to state you ’ ll be among the first to know Authors of cruising the Universe Parrallels... I purchased at an auction a member of the channel or not boat passes. And Florida use channel 9 to bridge operators in Virginia, North Carolina going south, red. ] on Amazon.com needn ’ t slow down until your boat is near, go! Tampa, I was a diehard motorcycle enthusiast who traveled the globe large wake you ’ ll switch from channels... Protected water Great Circle route guide will help you make plans for the current when docking especially in the and! Wake you ’ ll have to negotiate can buy a rider that extends the coverage as barges move the! The Universe that Parrallels Interstate I-95 to pass travel tips and recommendations helpful a few years ago, I up. Aligning the stripes, you know your speed you can stay abreast of,! Drifting toward the left side of the Atlantic ICW from Norfolk, VA to Key West,.... Stories about living large while sailing small the helmsman turns hard over away the. Making the trip of more than 1,000 nautical miles may seem daunting, it needn t...

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