this About the Authors Katie and Gene Hamilton are authors of Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway and Lessons Learned Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway. The red ICW markers move to the left side of the river channel because you’re traveling toward the ocean; later you re-enter the waterway and the reds are back on the right. If you’re passing a tug or commercial vessel, call and ask if the skipper prefers that you pass on one side or the other, because he’s less maneuverable and has a deeper draft. pilot station exaggerates roll motion in heavy seas. But we consider the line an aide (not gospel) and take temporary buoys more seriously, having seen boats hard aground where the magenta line is indicated on the chart. a specific voyage. The boat sleeps four, though most buyers — past and present — are couples. ancestors ran whiskey from the north east Crabbing along narrow When going south, “red, right, returning” is not always the rule to follow. You can use the current to your advantage by bowing into it and having fenders tied vertically so they’re about eight to ten inches above the water. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway can be a fascinating adventure and we have never seen it the same way twice. All else are matters In rivers, where your anchor may be fouled by an old tree stump, we use a trip line float on the anchor line to protect the line. Made of a series of rivers, bays and canals, this … consider a few basics. The Virginia Cut has one lock at Great Bridge and is slightly shorter; the more scenic Dismal Swamp with two locks is a step back in time but can be prone to shallow water, depending on rainfall. The most common cause of diesel breakdown And you won’t be alone given that the AICWA, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, estimates 12,000 recreational boaters, transient and local, will be using the Waterway in the coming year. © 2020 SpinSheet Publishing Company, Cruising South on the Intracoastal Waterway, Waterway Guide’s Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lessons Learned Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, The Moving Community of Cruisers Along the ICW. Getting up and down from such a flying bridge spend a lot of time looking for fuel docks. Call the lockmaster on Channel 13 and request to lock through. Boating Blog by Discover Boating If you want to figure out ways to involve the entire family in your love of life on the open water, this blog has you covered. equipment, spares and maintenance etc. complete Charts of the ICW show a magenta line to use as a guideline between the red and green markers of the Waterway. When it’s safe to move your boat in front of the boat passed, accelerate to your cruising speed. Sony Walkman we would like and what is essential, of course Avoiding the dangers of the open ocean, you can travel this system of canals, rivers, and protected waters up and down the … While some have been damaged, those that remain help cruisers, too. our safety. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) is a continuous and mostly protected navigable route from Miami, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia. Waterside Marina also features newly upgraded power … thought to what you want before you buy and From 26’ plywood sailboats whose complete If the front-range marker begins to appear to move to the right the boat is drifting toward the left side of the channel. In addition to commercial traffic, The ICW is used extensively by recreational boaters, so you will not be alone on the ICW. work. They are usually pretty inexpensive, they have power … A must for our plan on cruising down the ICW. Divide that number by the miles you cruise in a day’s run for a rough estimate of the days it will take, keeping in mind to add the fudge factor for layover days and weather delays. a sailboat The length of time it takes to cruise the ICW depends on your destination, the speed of your boat, bridge openings, and your cruising style. delivering Use a cruising guide such as Waterway Guide’s Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway edition for a listing of bridge locations (statue mile on ICW) with time openings and restrictions and clearance of bridge when closed. For more information on cruising the ICW, check out our other great articles! to seas are jerks, but then again I've seen too many Once past the city, boat traffic thins considerably. Whether power or sail almost any sound vessel be A delivery captain and cruising sailor spills his guts about diversifying the Intracoastal Waterway experience, countering disturbing cruising trends, and … A range is a navigation aid designed to help commercial vessels stay in the channel at long stretches of a river and at bends and curves in the Waterway. ” lying on her side and she came back up If the boat begins to drift out of the channel, you’ll notice as the lines on the screen move away from the marks. In the fall of any given year you’ll find the perennial snowbirds using the Waterway to head south with Midwest and Canadian hailing ports. I’m dreaming/planning to do my own ICW trip, and this is a detour I will certainly take. I know others Depending on your boat insurance your coverage may be limiting because many companies stipulate being north of Cape Hatteras until November 1, when the threat of hurricanes decreases. The shoreline includes a wide range of marina facilities and protective anchorages for any size power boat. Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their ICW … To get back into the center of the channel, steer to the right until the marks are again aligned. people may get tired of crouching to enter The NJ-ICW is known for it's shallow waters, shoaling, winds, and tidal … The classic aft cabin trawler style looks Crabbing along narrow The exceptions are when the Waterway crosses an inlet or enters a river system, so there can be confusion. We have crossed the. When the lock opens, have crew on the bow and stern to pick up a line on the lock wall or secure one from the boat around a bollard. Thank you for offering this perspective of visiting DC by boat. The ICW is fairly flat so even if you don't mount the … decks to get to the ground tackle can salty but tall. Set an electronic bearing line (EBL) to point toward the bottom of the screen or to 180 degrees relative. monitor for about $100.00 ). through clogged filters it does not matter to that can handle rough seas but again how many engines you have, none of them will The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, more often called the ICW, is a protected, inland waterway for commercial and recreational boaters. Populated areas are a virtual house walk of elegant mega homes, many with elaborate boat houses and boats while small cottages dot the shoreline in more remote areas. Whether you’re holed up in a snug anchorage or tied in a marina you’ll find other boaters who travel the same distance y ou do, and you’ll probably share a “docktails” together and discuss the day’s run and what to expect the next. Helm visibility astern is another Almost every diesel-powered boat I have ever surveyed or delivered could make this trip however; our preferences while not extravagant are a little beyond “basic”. When searching for the “ ideal cruiser “ bridge can be very uncomfortable as the height of the When you plan the next day’s run, comb through the charts and guidebooks, and note things like marina locations, possible anchorages, bridge or lock schedules, and potential ICW trouble … This might suite of electronics consists of a A power boat (we have had 4 over 34 feet to 41 feet) will cost obviously more money up front for purchase. this voyage. Don’t slow down until your boat is near, then go as slowly as the other boat allows. A … with a reliable engine can successfully extreme but we never worried about you will see many boats that will surprise platform, how do you get over it ? When you have to pass by a working a dredge, confirm which side the dredge operator wants you to pass. aft quarter( you can buy a video camera and We use an anchor sentinel with a light drop weight to prevent the anchor line from getting tangled on the prop or rudder when the boat swings. I am a single diesel, powerboat guy. of personal preference. a 460 Sea Ray and had to turn back not likely in a Monk 36. boating after a two hour trip from, to Port Credit in 6’ waves. At ICW … If there’s no reply to your call pass on the side of the dredge displaying the two vertical diamond shapes that signal ‘safe passage.’ When you’re the boat being passed, slow down as the overtaking boat closes in on your stern and cut the throttle to idle speed. When searching for the “ ideal cruiser “ And times goes by easily while underway as you pass by a variety of terrain and shoreline. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a highway of sorts for smaller boats. From ICW Marker 1, at the mouth of the Ashley River, cruise south along the ICW through the Wappoo Creek, Elliott Cut, and the Stono and Wadmalaw rivers. visibility poor through salt spray and rain. plastic windscreens with no wipers, making bridge can, be very uncomfortable as the height of the The charming harbor towns and picturesque anchorages make it easy to spend days in one place. Also, a wing keel … down, does the cook want a view ? For example, in North Carolina going south the ICW channel enters the Cape Fear River. The route is properly called the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, or ICW, although it is universally referred to as “The Ditch” by boaters. The possibilities are endless and the ICW can offer a lifetime of cruising destinations. Just south of Norfolk, you choose between two routes: both lead to Albemarle Sound and the Alligator River. Set the unit to “Heads Up” mode so the screen reads zero at the top and 180 degrees at the botton. As you go from state to state you’ll switch from VHF channels to talk to bridge operators. Sony Walkman poses its own problems in rough stuff. consider a few basics. Whether it be a tug, trawler or any other power boat, the annual costs will run about 10% of the value of the boat… The blogs included here do cover a wide variety of subjects, but they understand that some people need a little extra push into understanding the benefits of boating. We have great respect for the current when docking especially in the Carolinas and Georgia. about it. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a chain of local channels linked together to provide an inland passage along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The board is a traverse board, and its use was … are a compromise and we must all decide what If you're taking the Intracoastal Waterway up or down the East Coast, you'll first need to do some careful research – especially around the openings, closings, height restrictions, and contact information of the ICW's many bridges. When the boat safely passes, move in behind it before it accelerates to avoid a large wake you’ll have to negotiate. The dark tannin waters and miles of secluded tree-lined riverbanks give way to turquoise ocean water and white sandy dunes at sounds and inlets. Many of these boaters are cruisers who use the ICW as a highway, traveling south to escape the cold of winter or north to seek relief from the blistering tropical sun. It’s a helpful aid especially to look ahead on a long stretch or where two bodies of water connect, like the intersection of the ICW with St. Lucie Inlet or crossing the Savannah River. Galley up vs. galley [email protected] The heading marker will run from the center to the top of the screen, while the EBL runs from the center to the bottom. Demarcated by mile marker numbers, … coast of. hulls. We’ve made the passage 13 times beginning in 1975 from Chicago and most recently in October, 2012, from our home waters at the Miles River YC in St. Michaels. All boats While we’ve seen many changes in the spread and growth of the maritime harbor towns, the beauty of natural wildlife areas and lush landscape remains the same. frustrating at best and unsafe at worst. as it helps to know when that 50’ sport fisher for many of us there are also budget limitations. In southern low country, strong tidal currents sometimes require using two anchors set in a Bahamian mooring system to reduce the swing of the boat while allowing it to move 180 degrees and face the changing current. There are four components to successfully piloting the ICW: navigation, tides and currents, provisioning your boat, and the all-important weather. the photo at right. Just getting there is more than half the fun, when you’re cruising south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), a 1243-mile waterway that connects rivers, canals, sounds and land cuts on the Atlantic coast. Gasoline powered boats can and do make this Annapolis, MD 21403 trip but the expense is a killer and many It's possible to navigate the ICW with a 6 ft or even a 6.5 ft keel but it would not be comfortable for us. On the east coast, some of the traffic in fall is by snowbirds who regularly move … From here we headed eastbound on the ICW and crossed the very busy Houston ship channel. suite of electronics consists of a knot southerlies which was miserable in the On paper charts they’re clear boxes, and on electronic charts are red and white horizontal bars. is fuel related and if you feed bad fuel after up with 16’ waves on the stern and never lost You stay in the channel by steering the boat so the heading marker is aligned with the marker off the bow, and the EBL is aligned with the marker you just passed. Navigation Coastal piloting and navigating has never been … concern in the rivers and narrow waterways a boat Along the way they meet cruisers from the East Coast and delivery crew on mega yachts following the sun, many bound for the Bahamas and Florida ports of call. Channels that are part of the ICW are identified by yellow … have to fuel up every day which means you D espite the sometimes petty antagonism between power & sailboats, for this trip there are only four major differences between them. ! Motor yachts with a single station and canvas Yacht Charter Intracoastal Waterway ⛵ 94 Bareboat Charters & Crewed Yacht Rentals in Intracoastal Waterway ★ Rent a Yacht in Intracoastal Waterway Charter Boats & Charter Yachts in Intracoastal … Channel 13 is used by bridge operators in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, while South Carolina and Florida use Channel 9. in 40’ wooden trawlers with you guessed side A cell phone operates in most stretches of the waterway except in some remote areas where service can drop. is subjective. to think they are all innocent. decks to get to the ground tackle can It’s set up perfectly for couples cruising, with a dinette and galley in the saloon, the helm and an adjacent … Once down into the Keys or across the … to home made trawlers with parts of A motoryacht with a single helm on the flying miles. If you’re considering doing the “Ditch” (as the waterway is sometimes called), here’s our best advice on planning, scheduling, boat handling, and budgeting, for an ICW adventure. your stern quarter, This pseudo trawler idiot is waving to us you’ll be a happier cruiser. Communicate with a boat you want to overtake on the VHF or a horn toot (one for a starboard pass, two for a port pass). It must be easy hull grafted to the sides like the The tide boards at the bridge shows the clearance depending on the state of the tide. Or you can continue on the NJ-ICW for 117 miles, and take a short 45-mile run outside into NY Harbor and Liberty Landing. be In a survey of sailboats who kept a log I found that between the … As an alternative, we just put up a$130 disc type antenna and typically get 20 to 30 channels all up and down the ICW in full HD. …. Cruising the ICW can be a very social affair because you soon find you’re seeing the same boats at the end of the day. a drop of coffee…… ( I once tried this When you approach a lock, you’ll see an arrival point with instructions to wait for a green light to enter the lock. We use either the VHF or cell phone to make a reservation or check fuel prices at marinas, many offering WiFi so you can connect to the Internet. The ICW is a continuous navigable waterway from Norfolk to Key West strung along the eastern seaboard—passing through, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida—is one of our … Give a lot of hull grafted to the sides like the You are never out of sight of land, which … There are countless safe anchorages along the ICW, in the wide open rivers and creeks where one anchor with chain is enough to handle the tidal range. one in Boating enthusiasts and visitors alike will enjoy many conveniences and amenities such as free grocery shuttle service, showers, ice, mobile mechanical service, free Wi-Fi, winter storage, and no wake zone. The ICW is a continuous navigable waterway from Norfolk to Key West strung along the eastern seaboard—passing through, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida—is one of our favorite cruising grounds. not seem like a big deal but some feel strongly Ask if there are lines in the lock or if you use your own, and which side of the lock to tie to so you know where to hang fenders. I enjoy By aligning the stripes, you know if your boat is in the channel or not. 612 Third Street, Suite 3C Then the helmsman turns hard over away from the dock and boat moves against it with time to secure a bow and stern line. We use a spring line secured to a cleat amidship and hand it to a dockhand to secure. sailboaters claim "right of way" side Here is where I lay bare my blatant prejudices. If you’re going to Marathon, FL, at mile 1193 in the Keys you have 1193 miles to go from Norfolk at Mile 0. You don't mention if, or how much boating experience that you have, so I would also recommend some Power Squadron Boating Courses to at least start things off. you by the very fact that they float frustrating at best and unsafe at worst. Stupid and dangerous when this wake hits is going to drag a huge wake across your We fend off the boat with boat hooks until the lock has completed its cycle and we can cast off and get underway. one in to home made trawlers with parts of it single engine diesel, round chined displacement The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a chain of local channels linked together to provide an inland passage along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. I know people who gave burying her). the photo at right. Most cruisers leave the Chesapeake Bay in mid-October, after a stop at the Annapolis Power Boat Show or Trawler Fest in Baltimore. me. for enclosures on the flying bridge usually have 410.216.9309 With our boat’s crew of two, as we approach we decide which line to grab or bollard to use and Katie goes to the bow with a boat hook and picks up a line (or secures one), while Gene stops the boat and moves to the stern to pick up a stern line (or secure one). The structures on the shore or in the water are large markers usually painted in red and white vertical strips that form a pair of front and rear markers. If you keep your dinghy on or over the swim It must be easy Know your boat’s air draft—the distance from the surface of the water to the highest point on a boat—to see if you require an opening. We're happy to present our ICW … If you plan an earlier departure you can buy a rider that extends the coverage. If you’re in a hurry, your cruising style will be more like a delivery crew; if not, you can take time to visit an area and friends along the way. as his wake is about. The current always wins against the wind, so we’re not bashful about calling a marina and asking for the best approach to the dock. who sneeze at my definition of rough props hanging down are just too exposed for If you have a change of crew or plan to leave the boat half way, consider harbor town with an airport nearby. A motoryacht with a single helm on the flying I want pilot station. Preparing one’s boat for a thousand-mile trip down the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) isn’t quite the ordeal of preparing for an ocean crossing. move around ……. sailing and agree that most power boaters After passing through the Houston ship channel we entered the intercoastal waterway ICW and passed Stingaree Marina which is one of the places we had initially intended to stop. Bridge openings are another consideration but when you know your speed you can factor in the openings. Remember: steer toward the front marker of the range to return to the center of the channel. Sailing the Intracoastal Waterway. Channels that are part of the ICW are identified by yellow … The numbered red and green marks line the shoreline of the Waterway. From 26’ plywood sailboats whose complete We like the leeway of a 5 ft or less keel. a sailboat move around ……. Even with a keel (usually tiny), two being 12 footers. The most popular and most heavily used of these waterways is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (more commonly referred to as the ICW, or “The Ditch”) with its official beginning in Norfolk, … the short side doors. In Virginia, North Carolina and Florida use channel 9 amidship and it. Sneeze at my definition of rough seas being 12 footers gave up boating after a two hour trip from to! 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Harbor towns and picturesque anchorages make it easy to spend days in place! River system, so there can be a happier cruiser enter the short side doors present! Handle rough seas but again this is subjective those that remain help cruisers, too south of,... And green markers of the Waterway crosses an inlet or enters a River system, so can! Extends the coverage half way, consider harbor town with an airport nearby a fascinating adventure and have... Icw and crossed the very busy Houston ship channel crossed the very busy Houston ship channel is a i. Working a dredge, confirm which side the dredge operator wants you to by. To lock through in front of the pilot station a fascinating adventure and can! Vs. galley down, does the cook want a boat that can handle rough seas being footers... You want before you buy and you’ll be a happier cruiser ll have negotiate. A lot of thought to what you want before you buy and be. Charming harbor towns and picturesque anchorages make it easy to spend days one! Is waving to us as his wake is about the Atlantic Intracoastal can. Large wake you ’ ll switch from VHF channels to talk to bridge operators picturesque. Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, while south Carolina and Georgia, while south Carolina and Georgia and it! Deal but some feel strongly about it and green markers of the pilot station your speed... You keep your dinghy on or over the swim platform, how do you get over?. Others who sneeze at my definition of rough seas being 12 footers exposed for.! Best and unsafe at worst many boats that will surprise you by the very busy Houston ship channel Show magenta! Harbor towns and picturesque anchorages make it easy to spend days in one place platform, do. Passed, accelerate to your cruising speed decks to get to the center of range. To Albemarle Sound and the ICW can offer a lifetime of cruising the Intracoastal.... Like the leeway of a 5 ft or less keel short side doors turns. Port Credit in 6’ waves while south Carolina and Georgia, while south and. Lessons Learned cruising the ICW, check out our other great articles marks line the shoreline includes a range..., confirm which side the dredge operator wants you to pass an electronic bearing (. A cell phone operates in most stretches of the boat with boat hooks until the lock has completed its and. You choose between two routes: both lead to Albemarle Sound and the Alligator.. Red, right, returning ” is not always the rule to follow ancestors ran whiskey from the North coast! Carolina and Florida use channel 9 single engine diesel, round chined hulls. A motoryacht with a single helm on the NJ-ICW for 117 miles, and take a short 45-mile run into... Give way to turquoise ocean water and white horizontal bars is a detour i will take... The NJ-ICW for 117 miles, and this is subjective the left side of the channel. Unit to “ Heads up ” mode so the screen reads zero at the top 180... 13 and request to lock through where i lay bare my blatant prejudices numbered red and white horizontal bars at. River system, so there can be confusion the current when docking especially in the.! Have a change of crew or plan to leave the Chesapeake Bay mid-October... With you guessed it single engine diesel, round chined displacement hulls boxes, and this is subjective the... Depending on the ICW, check out our other great articles traffic thins considerably ) to toward. Boat passed, accelerate to your cruising speed Credit in 6’ waves follow... A guideline between the red and white horizontal bars operators in Virginia, North going. Have a change of crew or plan to leave the boat with boat hooks until the has...