What is "Normal" ICW seamanship?

[smallboatvoyaguer]

A friend of mine recently met up with a sailor to help as crew. They met through a crew wanted post, and are cruising the ICW in search of warmer weather.
After a recent phone conversation with my friend, I found the skipper of the boat she hooked up with only uses GPS, has no charts on board, and has no a storm jib. Not to mention, the reason he has only GPS and no charts is because he self admittedly does not know how to use a chart.
In defense, he says this:
"I have two GPS' and back up batteries, and I can put the chip from my GPS into my laptop if things go wrong."
"I can just furl in my head sail instead of hanking on a storm jib, so I don't own one."

Now, I have never dealt with furling headsl's, used a GPS for anything but finding out my Lat-Long, or cruised the ICW, so I am not really knowledge-able to some extent. But, I am an experienced sailor, and a part of me is a little concerned.

My question is this: Is this GPS only, no chart, furling heads'l attitude the norm for ICW cruising folk? Should I be concerned with my friend's safety?
Thanks,
Marlin

[Maine Sail]

And when they get hit by lightning??? The head sail thing is just a flat out lack of understanding basic sail fundamentals...

[Minnewaska]

With very limited exception, I'm trying to imagine why you would be riding out a storm with a storm jib on the ICW, so that doesn't concern me at all.

I find it unacceptable to travel without charts, although, using GPS as primary nav in the ICW will have its supporters and detractors. I would often confirm position with the chart, although, admit to focusing more on the chartplotter. No matter how many batteries you have, the GPS isn't going to do you any good if there is a satellite failure or interference, which happens.

[RichH]

Sailing (motoring actually) in the AICW does require (but not absolutely necessary) the usage of paper (strip book) charts .... as even the BEST Charplotter data (probably recent Garmin offerings) are only about 95% correct. A lot of 'eyeball' navigation is needed on the ICW as if one exactly follows 'the magenta line' one will most assuredly go aground ... and be on the 'wrong side' of the actual 'marks'.

Traveling on the AICW unless the winds are 'just right' (or the skipper is better than average) is mostly a 'motor-boat trip'.

So, paper charts are not absolutely required as many of the marks on the ICW are constantly changed, and GPS chartplotters also dont relfect these constant changes, etc. ... eyeballs, tidal info for when crossing 'inlets', and a good depthsounder are the 'best' for AICW.

[sailjunkie]

I don't know the ICW, so I'll defer that point to folks with local knowledge.

However, I can speak about GPS. While I am a big fan of GPS, I don't do any extended cruising without paper charts for the relevant area. Back-up batteries help, but GPS is only as good as the person who did the set-up.

[sailingdog]

The skipper of the boat your friend is on is an idiot. Reliance on GPS and electronic charts without backup is really quite irresponsible.

The lack of a storm jib is a bit more understandable, since the ICW is fairly well sheltered as waters go, and if you can't make the next marina before a storm hits, you can usually find a fairly sheltered spot to hide the boat and anchor.

[CaptainForce]

We've been cruising at least some portion of the ICW every year since 1972 and the Chesapeake to Florida route about twenty times. This is always optional weather cruising and there would be nothing unsafe about not having a storm jib unless you elected to sail during a storm. As others have posted above, the wiser choice would be to have the paper charts; however, having just the GPS would not be a "safety" problem, but more likely a convenience problem with the added delay of a soft grounding. The paper charts will usually trump the GPS and a good vision of the real world always trumps the GPS. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[smallboatvoyaguer]

Thank you for your replies everyone, and greetings from Lake Superior country.

[CrazyRu]

To be frank, there is no need even in GPS on ICWW. It is all marked and it is a highway. Becides, you can stop at gas station and ask for direction.

[RTB]

I've been in and out from Jax to Miami. It was easy. More recently, we returned from Port Aransas to Galveston on the Gulf ICW. Mostly just stay between the banks and watch your depth, but it got confusing in two places. The ICW takes you through San Antonio Bay and Matagorda bay. These are very large open bays, with different channels heading off into different areas. A chart would be very helpful. We were using Seaclear, which made it easy to know which set of markers to use.