ICW newbie Question

[golfpcb]

For my first trip down the ICW from NJ to Florida in December. At mile marker "0" should I go the North Landing River Route or The Dismal Swamp Canal Route and WHY? Any thoughts both pro and con on either route would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[TQA]

What is your draft? How well protected is/are your prop[s]

Will you want to do more than 6 knots?

[golfpcb]

I have a 38' Tiara Open - express - twin engine draft 3.5' - yes would like to do more than 6 knots. I expect it will be cold that time of year so the faster we can get to warm weather the better.

[travlineasy]

With that particular boat, if you have offshore experience I would run around Cape Henry and go down the coast. Most of the ones I've seen were powered with a pair of big Cummings and could easily cruise in excess of 25 knots, therefore if the weather got snotty you could duck back inside at several locations when necessary.

Good Luck,

Gary

[golfpcb]

Where do you duck in? Oregon Inlet is a no go very dangerous inlet from what I read. Not traveling at night. Where do you hide???

[Minnewaska]

golfpcb, this is a sailing forum, so I'm not sure how much experienced powerboat advice you will get. Some, I suppose. Not many here get to make this choice with a 3.5ft draft, so your options may differ from our experiences. For me, much of the ICW is not an option.

[KindOfBlue]

I have done the Oregon Inlet before. In a sailboat, you need to get the currents and tides correct, but in your boat, just go for it. I called SeaTow and BoatUS at the Oregon Inlet for advice and they said don't do it. I called the Coast Guard Station there and they said nothing to it. There really is nothing to it, as long as the weather fair.

[travlineasy]

Oregon Inlet is a piece of cake on a slack tide or modest incoming tide. You don't want to be there in a sailboat when the tide's roaring out and the wind's woofing from an easterly direction. Same holds true for Hatteras Inlet, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, New, Smith Island and most inlets along the Atlantic coast. Fortunately, there are some that are wide open and access is relatively easy regardless of tidal conditions. I was amazed to see a dozen sailboats that ducked into a tiny slot behind Cape Point one stormy afternoon. Nearly all were locals that knew the Outer Banks waters near Moorehead City. When the storm passed most hauled anchor, put up the sails and continued to enjoy their day.

Gary

[TQA]

Originally Posted by golfpcb

For my first trip down the ICW from NJ to Florida in December. At mile marker "0" should I go the North Landing River Route or The Dismal Swamp Canal Route and WHY? Any thoughts both pro and con on either route would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

You might prefer the North Landing River Route as the chance of you pulling up logs into your props is quite high on the Dismal Swamp Canal Route esp. if you run at more than 6 knots.

I would ask this question on a more MOBO orientated forum to be sure.

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Check out our "Intra-Coastal Waterway Tips" Page on the Frugal Mariner. Saltwater Suzi and I have made many trips on the ICW - so if you have any specific questions either ask here or at the bottom of the Frugal Mariner page.