ICW in a Nutshell

[eherlihy]

Originally Posted by smurphny

Ditto on Active Captain. They seem to have a good list of problem spots. I just finished putting every one of them, from Norfolk to Beaufort, as markers in my plotter. There were 19 just from this section. I make text notations right on the charts so as not to need to wonder why I marked a spot.

Note that if you use PolarView Navigation Software ($39) it downloads ALL of the markers, and all of the other crowd sourced data automatically, and keeps it up to date - In addition, it makes a pretty good chart plotter too!

[smurphny]

I have messed around with Polar View a bit. Will have to check that out. My old Jeppesen charts are starting to get long in the tooth (although I really like the Sailcruiser nav software).

[bvander66]

Originally Posted by SeaQuinn

Thanks for all the help and advice! I will definitely check out the guides.

For those who have done Norfolk to Miami.....how long should I allow for the trip?
How about Norfolk to Charleston SC?

We have friends who do Annapolis to Marathon in 21 days. We take considerably longer as there are so many great places to stay and explore.
A good strategy is push for 3-4 days, then stop for 2-3 days. Using this as a guide it will take you 6-8 weeks, but it will be a very enjoyable trip vice a slog.

[wingNwing]

Originally Posted by bvander66

A good strategy is push for 3-4 days, then stop for 2-3 days. Using this as a guide it will take you 6-8 weeks, but it will be a very enjoyable trip vice a slog.

This is pretty much the strategy we use on the ICW also; 50-mile days when we're going, then stop to explore, or just hang out in a great anchorage & enjoy the scenery. More and more places are getting cellphone coverage so you can stay very up-to-date on all your communications & weather easily.

If you want to get from Annapolis to Marathon quickly just take on crew and go outside for a night or two - you get the biggest bang for the buck in terms of time saving by skipping the stretch from Beaufort, SC to St Augustine. We do that in the spring when the days are long and the nights are warm; generally stay inside southbound in the autumn.

[PBzeer]

Here's some outside hops you can do overnight.

Beaufort Inlet to Charleston,SC, (or if you make good time North End of Hilton Head Island) is the one two nighter. I would at least though make the long day's run to Masonboro Inlet (Wrightsville Beach).

If you go to Charleston, you can go outside to Hilton Head in a day. Or 3 days inside.

Hilton Head to St Augustine.

St Augustine to Fort Pierce.

Fort Pierce to Miami. I go past the Government Cut (port entrance), to Cape Florida)

There are marinas and anchorages at each stop.