Annapolis to Charleston

[JR828]

Hi Everyone. The drive from my current home in Asheville, NC to Annapolis to use my boat has gotten the better of me. After almost falling asleep at the wheel, I decided that I need to move the boat closer to home. That place will be Charleston, SC. I would appreciate any feedback. We plan to Leave in August and really do not have a lot of time, 2 weeks tops. I have the charts and the guides along with plotters and GPS. We plan to take to ICW. Also, which is better the Virginia cut or Dismal swamp?
Thanks everyone. -Rob

[PBzeer]

Either route takes about the same amount of time. I prefer the Dismal. Not sure what the lock schedule is at this time, but it's something you should check.

If you plan on stopping each night, you'll be right up against it on time if you have any problems or delays. You can cut off 3 days by going outside at Beaufort Inlet to Charleston.

[speciald]

Go outside to Wilmington if the weather permits, then inside to Cape Fear, then back outside to Charleston. If you run within sight of land around Hatteras you can avoid the Stream.

[eryka]

Virginia Cut route is slightly faster than Dismal as it has only one lock (that opens every hour or so) compared to two on the Dismal (that open 3x/day); but Dismal is prettier. Check depths on the Dismal, operating depth is only 6' - what do you draw?

The other way to save time would be to go overnight from Annapolis to the mouth of the Chesapeake - about 24 hours continuous run, or 4-5 days if you try to stop every night.

[chef2sail]

You are leaving your boat exposed to Hurricanes more keeping it in SC than Annapolis. NOt sure what the dfference in the drive is

[JR828]

The boat draws five feet. The drive from Asheville to Charleston is four hours compared to nine to Annapolis. I appreciate all ofthe quick responses. Everything that I have read discourages "going outside" at North Carolina. How far offshore should one sail to avoid the shoals?

[SVAuspicious]

I agree with Eryka about heading from Annapolis to Norfolk straight through. It's an easy run.

On the ICW a little organization can buy you some real progress. Try getting breakfast and lunch set up after you clean up from dinner. In the morning get the boat moving at first light and eat under way. You'll find that most folk are two hours behind you. That's easily an extra 10 miles per day, which is--well--an extra 10 miles per day.

Fuel stops are a real time killer. If you have to stop more than every third day consider carrying fuel in jugs to stretch your range.

I'm not sure who would discourage you from going outside from Beaufort NC to Charleston SC. You don't have to go out terribly far and it saves a lot of time. Offshore always seems easier and lower stress to me than on the ICW. Beaufort NC and Charleston are both very straightforward inlets.

[sailingdog]

Second what SVAus. said about getting an early start and fuel stops being a real time killer. Also, his advice about going outside from Beaufort, NC to Charleston, SC is spot on. The distances are shorter and more direct and you can continue 24 x7 rather than having to stop for the night as is normally the case on the ICW.

[PBzeer]

The only "Shoals" you'll have to worry about if you go out at Beaufort Inlet is the Frying Pan Shoals, and they are easily avoided. What you're probably hearing is more about Cape Hatteras, which will be north of you.

I try to plan my fuel stops around staying at a marina (doing laundry, provisions, etc).