Why I like going outside

[PBzeer]

Doing the ICW south of Beaufort, NC leaves the singlehander very few opportunities to leave the helm while underweigh. It makes for a long tiring day and doesn't get you very far, very fast (relatively speaking). After adding up the figures, it took me 6 days to go 240 nm inside, Morehead City to Charleston, and only two days (overnight) to go 195, Charleston to Jacksonville. And had the last half of the second day been going downriver on the St Johns against tide and current, I could easily have topped 220.

If the weather is against you, or there's places or things you want to see, it's nice to have the ICW, but give me open water any day.

[Valiente]

Never done the ICW, and, Neptune willing, will I ever have to. I'm sure there are some interesting places to "pull in", but it sounds fairly unappealing to me compared to the open sea.

[sailboy21]

I agree.. somewhat. I've only done about 50 miles of the ICW, but have done most of the other "inside," the inside passage. I found I could cover about 90 miles a day inside (dangerous to run after dark) but about 130 miles typically for a good day offshore. Here are my feelings from this summer:

Offshore ; Inshore

24 Hr watch cycle ; 18 hour watch
120-130 miles ; 70-90 miles
Seasickness ; Smooth water
Collisions at sea ; collisions with rocks, logs, traffic
Mostly sailing ; Mostly Power
Cooking sucks ; BBQ, fridge (more DC power from engine)
Wear on sails & rig ; Hours on Engine
No help ; Passing mariners, coast guard
SSB/ham/sail mail ; Cell Phone & internet!!!
Everything is gray ; Pretty pictures, stops
EPIRB ; 911
provisioning ; grocery store

Incidentally, after sailing 1200 miles offshore and not getting seasick once, after 1000 miles inside the last 200 miles offshore made me sicker than I have ever been. I think next time I will go offshore all the way.

[PBzeer]

The thing with the ICW this time of year is the amount of daylight. 11 hours tops, and you have to plan your anchorage, so that's a constraint as well. I talked with a number of people along the way who would prefer to go offshore, but didn't want to run at night (couples). I'm fortunate in that I can catnap and stay alert. Plus, I always try to plan my naps so I'm in the least likely area of shipping. (of course, it helps to have a reliable autopilot)

[camaraderie]

Sailboy...the land of the midnight sun give you a few more daylight hours than the rest of us. My one day tops on the East Coast ICW is 85 miles.

Beez...sounds like you made it to FL in good shape...congrats!

[PBzeer]

Got ya beat there cam, 86.1 nm, Coinjock to Hospital Point. And that included a forty minute wait at Great Bridge for the lock!

The worst thing, to me, about the ICW is that you either have to push like crazy, or just accept short days and distances, to find a decent anchorage. Course, if you've got the money, ya just stay in marinas (anybody want to share a winning powerball ticket?).

[camaraderie]

Huh??Coinjock to hospital point is 50 statute miles!!?? Maybe Manteo to Hospital point?? That is about 85.

[PBzeer]

Oops, looked at the wrong day, was supposed to be from Oriental to the Alligator River.

[NautiG]

I'm spending a few days in Kitty Hawk, just off the icw. I'll let you know if this is a worthwhile side trip. I don't know if you could do it in a monohull, anyway. I'm in a cat with centerboards and 18" minimum draft.

This is the first time I've gone down the icw, and I am enjoying myself immensely. Sailing the Chesapeake was fun, but by the time I hit Norfolk, I was ready to hit the ditch.

Scott
nautib.blogspot.com

[PBzeer]

Cam's just over in Manteo. If you stay inside past Beaufort, NC, at mile 237 there are two temp red bouys and one green. Ignore Green 61A marker (though with your draft you might not have a problem).