First Time on the ICW

[csaarsenal]

Im new to sailing and just got a '79 MacGregor 25. I want to sail the ICW from Belhaven to Charleston or Savannah and back. I was just wondering if some one could give me an estimate on how long of a trip this would be. Whats the average mileage I can cover in a 24 hour period, with some periods of not really sailing hard. I have a 7.5 hp outboard for any sections where sailing is difficult. Thanks

[Sailormon6]

I haven't sailed that particular part of the ICW, but generally, I like to travel about 25 miles per day when the sailing weather is really good, and about 15 miles when it's adverse. That probably doesn't sound like much to some folks, but it enables me to get to my destination while there's still some daylight and get situated, freshen up, relax, swim, enjoy a good meal, explore the area, etc. I'm in no hurry to get anywhere when I'm sailing. In any event, if you're not familiar with the area, it's a good idea to get to your destination before dark. If it's into the later afternoon, and I'm still a fair distance from the destination, I don't hestitate to fire up the engine.

[Somawas]

get Claiborne Young's Cruising Guides for North Carolina and South Carolina. Figure out your daily itenerary. You still probably don't want to plan on more than 25 to 30 miles a day, tops. And remember that a lot of it will be motorsailing.

[camaraderie]

I disagree with the 25 mile /day recommendation. We rarely do less than 50 miles /day, motoring 8-10 hours/day. We have done this on at Cat27 and several larger boats. YES...50 miles makes for a long day but it is doable and we prefer to rest in places we like taking a real break rather than take it slow every day. As to the question at hand...Bellhaven to Charleston should take about 2 weeks (my way) with some R&R and weather stops along the way. Add another 3-4 days for Savannah...You will be doing virtually NO sailing on the ICW except for a couple of the sounds where you can hoist a sail. Suggest you be sure your outboard can take the trip and maybe have a little backup kicker on the rail to get you into port if the big one fails. Further suggest you get Skipper Bob's Guide to anchorages along the ICW to elp you plan the trip. Should be fun in a Mac25 and nothinng to worry about....just wait for the right weather and go!

[chipahoy]

I agree with the 50 miles a day, have done that before and will do it again next week as we start to head north back to Lake Superior from the Keys
Scotty

[sailandoar]

We can average 70+ mi/day but that is considered a lot. 45 to 55 miles would be a more common average. Figure 10 hours running and your average speed would be ??? 5.5 knots ??? , Our average on the GA , SC coast with unpredictable currents (with you one moment and against you the next) was 7.3 knots over several hundred miles. We are rather slippery and have only 22HP (Sabb) with a 35' waterline and 10.5' beam.

[Travis McGee]

Aim for fifty a day, but go for 60+ when you can get it.

[Travis McGee]

Aim for fifty a day, but go for 60+ when you can get it.

[Sailormon6]

The question is, what is the purpose of your trip? If you're moving your boat from south to north for the change of seasons, then you will probably want to cover as much distance as you can.

But, if you're on a pleasure trip, much shorter distances are in order. Most of us don't consider it very pleasurable to listen to the motor grinding away for twelve hours a day. If you want to sail, you'd have to have almost ideal conditions to make 50-60 miles in a day on a 25' boat, and it'd be a long day. You said you're new to sailing, and I gather that the Magregor is your first sailboat. If you aren't accustomed to being out in the sun and wind for 12 hours a day, and if you don't have a bimini and dodger to shelter you from the sun, or rain, you could easily end up in the hospital with a bad burn after the first day. It happened to my wife, when we first started sailing.

If this is a pleasure trip, why don't you take a flexible approach? Each day, check your charts and your cruising guide and find 2-3 places at different distances where you could stay the night. When you reach the nearest one, take stock of yourself. Have you had enough wind and sun and motoring or sailing for the day, or do you want to go on to the next marina or anchorage?

If you don't make it all the way to Charleston or Savannah on this trip, what difference does it make, as long as you enjoy the trip? You can go there on your next trip. If you have to beat yourself up to make that much mileage, it'll take the fun out of it.

[sailandoar]

Sailormon6 is exactly right. Figure out your goal and don't rush if you don't need to. If your were to post your tenative itineray I am sure many folks could/would make some great specific suggestions for where to go/avoid/anchor/watch out for/sightsee etc. For most folks the dream is travel a lot but the reality is to travel a little, so make the most of any trip you take. Stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

I have been VERY VERY impressed with the rather low cost and very complete guides by Skipper Bob. He has two that seem like they would help you: Anchorages($16) / Marinas($14). He seems to very very highly regarded, updates often and is is widley distributed.
http://skipperbob.home.att.net/

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My personal library on the ICW is:

Reeds Nautical Almanac (east cost) //$32
Reeds Nautical Companion //$25
US Coast Pilot (for that section) //$30
The ICW: A Cockpit Cuising Handbook (Moeller) //$20
The ICW Chartbook (Kettlewell) //$60
Skipper Bob: (both - Anchorages & Marinas) //$30
Maptech Chartbook (for that section) // $130 (Reg#6, Norfolk to Jax)
Colregs (Navigation Rules) // $15
Chart#1 (guide to symbols/abreviations) //$10

Prices are current as Mar. 2006 from Blue Water Books and Charts:
www.bluewaterweb.com/

Notes: (1) Coast Pilots and Chart#1 and much else is now available for free download from government websites. Get one of Bill Gates new Ultra Mobile PC's in a weather resistant, sunlight readable version and there you go. Till it breaks.. (2) I like a celestial Nautical Almanac also but most folks have little use for one. (3) There is some redundancy in my list. The Reeds books contain a great deal of what is found in Colregs, and Chart#1 and a bit of coast pilot info. Reeds Almanac/Companion => "Don't leave home without them!"
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I have not been very impressed with the old standard "Waterway Guide" the last few years, they seem to be more and more of an advertising rag. If you have a "YACHT" and need to know about high end fancy services then it could be very helpful.

Best Wishes....