Newbies sailing south on the ICW

[CapnBilll]

Originally Posted by Xx Darkwing xX

True, and here is where my true ignorance comes out, but can't I select places and anchor out? Is that illegal? Is there any guide showing good places to stay or anchor on the ICW?

DW

Anchoring in the ICW is like parking on the freeway, sometimes there is a shoulder you can pull over on, sometimes there isn't. In some places there is a wide area behind a bridge outside the usual channel, sometimes the ICW goes through a lake, or a bay that has enough depth to anchor outside the channel. Sometimes there are side channels that lead to a good anchorage, or a marina,.....And sometimes you just have to rush to get somewhere you can safely stop for the night, or spend the night dodging barges in the dark.