The Intracoastal Waterway, or ICW, is a 3,000-mile (4,800 km) inland waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. Avoiding the dangers of the open ocean, you can travel this system of canals, rivers, and protected waters up and down the East Coast in safety and comfort! 08.29.2020 I love herbs! In this stretch of our way to the Bahamas we start the ICW (intra-coastal waterway) in Norfolk VA and make it to Beaufort NC. waterwayguide.com, Richardson’s Maptech Sailing, Liveaboard Life, Guides, Checklists, Vlog & More! It’s annoying. You have to experience it to believe it. Learn how to sail at night, plan passages, and/or book into foreign countries AND enjoy the sun, sand and sea of the tropics. Many are captained by snowbirds, who head south in late fall to sail off Georgia and Florida. It’s made up of both natural and man-made waterways. How goes the weather? There are tour boats and even a floating tiki bar to check out. W.W. We help people to take the exciting leap from living on land to becoming full time live-aboard sailors. The Intracoastal Waterway between Florida and New York offers a great variety of coastal scenery to boaters. Then travel north up the Intracoastal Waterway and discover the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. There’s no etiquette. Oh well, I do what I can but it would be so much better if I have a real survey boat! During our two day passage, we enjoyed saying ‘thank you’ to the bridge operators for opening and hearing their ‘thank you’ back. The farther you travel down the ICW, the more people you get to know, as you often go to the same marinas, see each other at the same restaurants, and eventually start chatting and exchanging recommendations. Have you tried growing herbs? Here is some helpful information on planning your ICW trip. During the busiest travel months, it's wise to call ahead by phone or VHF to reserve a slip for the night. Now this anchorage was lovely, with schools of fish being chased by dolphins and bombed by birds all around us. The Atlantic swell can really get a sailor down. The best boats to travel down the ICW are motorboats or sailboats with a mast no higher than 64’ or a keel not too much deeper than 5’. Sure, there were many boats passing us through our passage but the swell was only temporary! You have a plant! On the east coast, some of the traffic in fall is by snowbirds who regularly move south for the winter and in Spring head north for the summer. Although it was a crazy waterway there was a sense of kinship with the people we had to interact with and travel with. I’ve done it before (both as a recreational boater and while in the U.S. Coast Guard), but it adds a whole new level of stress and unnecessarily increases the chances of getting lost, running aground or having an accident. While the prospect of making the trip of more than 1,000 nautical miles may seem daunting, it neednât be intimidating. The best boats to travel down the ICW are motorboats or sailboats with a mast no higher than 64â or a keel not too much deeper than 5â. Where’s the best place to anchor or the location of that recommended marina? Itâs nice to sit down the night before a trip, plan out how many miles youâd like to make the next day and look for anchorages or marinas near your goal. Where can I get supplies or buy fuel? Rafting means that we’d tie ourselves to the jetty (side-to) and then Michael would tie Entitled on to us. Depending on your draft, tide schedules will also play a major role when transiting known shallow spots. There’s always something happening. Some open faster and others slower. On my vessel’s average speed of six knots, I typically plan for a run of around 40 statute miles each day. And eventually, the tide would rise if we got really stuck. All the bridges within this stretch open up. Traveling the ICW. These include the Atlantic and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, the Great Lakes, the Rideau Canal, and the Mississippi and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Thanks for the awesome tips! Now, if only I could get a sponsor so I could take one of these babies down the ICW in the fall and again in the spring. If you would like to earn a commission on promoting our t-shirts, guides, club or experience, join our affiliate program. I don’t like traveling the ICW at night because I often travel solo. If you do take your sailboat down the ICW, you wonât be alone. arrangements ! The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a 3,000-mile (4,800 km) inland waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States, running from Boston, Massachusetts, southward along the Atlantic Seaboard and around the southern tip of Florida, then following the Gulf Coast to Brownsville, Texas. Programs such as this can be a very useful tool as long as you take into consideration the double-edged-sword nature of the comments themselves. Part of my nightly routine is to trace the route for the next day’s run and review notes and comments provided on online apps and programs (see sidebar), such as Garmin’s Active Captain, a popular interactive online cruising guide. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Interestingly, amongst all the mega yachts, mansions, and hubbub in the Intracoastal Waterway there’s a massive amount of birds, mangroves, natural areas, green areas, and sea life. Some of the Intracoastal Waterway mega-yachts are larger than the mega homes. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a highway of sorts for smaller boats. There’s a stretch of the ICW that will, however, allow boats with tall masts (over 64’) and deeper keels (7’ or so) running from Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! We teach singles, couples and families what it truly is like to live the liveaboard lifestyle. All the time. It’s a rather narrow river, or canal, that’s protected from the ocean. I purchased a 12-inch neon light bar from an auto parts store and hang it in the cockpit as well to increase visibility to others. 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The tannin will stain the bow of your boat forming the famous "ICW Mustache". After spending loads of time in the Atlantic swell we thought we’d have a go in the flat calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. You can put in long days and make great time, for example, while at the same time getting up close and personal with your surroundings. The plan was to stay one night at the Palm Harbor Marina in Palm Beach where we exited the Atlantic Ocean. Viewing my trip as a whole, this allows me to progress along the ICW at a reasonable clip but also provides stopover days for rest, sightseeing, weather delays, etc. We were supposed to go through four bridges and stop and I think we finally found a place to anchor after 13 bridges or so?! Each experience is created bespoke to you/your partners/your families needs. Either way there are others that would also appreciate the help ! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We have now traveled a ways down the ICW and pulled into the large rectangular anchorage area in Wrightsville. Preparing oneâs boat for a thousand-mile trip down the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) isnât quite the ordeal of preparing for an ocean crossing. That said, donât be deterred. From the practically uninterrupted seascape panoramas of ⦠There are so many properties to look at, there’s never a dull moment. If not what would you suggest size and style of boat. All the properties are different. ICW Traveling/Week 69. We were only going a slow speed so no damage was done. The Great Loop is a system of waterways that encompasses the eastern portion of America and part of Canada. For those that experience seasickness, it’s downright debilitating. From historic towns and peaceful anchorages to big city bustle and vibrant nightlight, thereâs so much to see and do along its 1,100-mile length that youâd be hard-pressed not to find something enjoyable for every member of the crew. I’ve noticed how well you try to maintain your vessel ! Definitely on our bucket list! If tonight is all-you-can-eat ribs night at Hawg Heaven Restaurant, is there a dinghy dock or public shore access nearby so the crew can get their pork on? Many ICW cruisers become destination driven and hurry to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. In the ICW, however, there’s only a swell when a boat larger than you pass by. Each time only spending a few minutes being stuck. waterway! Always keep a sharp lookout for “prop inspectors” (floating logs, branches, other debris), particularly when transiting narrow channels and canals. It is slow due to shallow depths and restricted bridge openings causing us to motor most of the way; but it has been interesting and in many parts, beautiful to see. Transient dockage fees down the ICW range from as low as $1.00 per foot per night to several dollars per foot in some of the more ritzy locations, like Miami Beach. Currently we have a poinsettia, three aloe plants and a spider plant , Would a 26′ Tritoon be able to navigate the intercoastal waterway from Maryland to Fla. safely. Your email address will not be published. You’re trying to pass a slowpoke. Amazingly, the entire loop is approximately 6,000 miles long. Met to ask if you respond better with public social media or via your web site ?? However when we called we found that everywhere was fully booked as 100,000 or so people we also traveling to Georgetown for the eclipse, so we went further down river to an anchorage just off the ICW with marshes on both sides. The Intracoastal Waterway is one of the most fascinating waterways in all of the United States, connecting bays, rivers and lagoons. Traveling Down the ICW The Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia (see a previous post), was the beginning of the Intra Coastal Waterway, or ICW, which many cruisers take south to Florida. And our solo sailing companion, Michael on s/v Entitled would be able to ‘raft’ onto us. There are gold pimp-yachts and four-story moving islands. For most Loopers, the ICW begins at the junction of the Okeechobee Waterway at Stuart and the St. Lucie Inlet and "unofficially" takes us north to Norfolk and then continues through Chesapeake Bay, the C&D Canal, Delaware Bay, and the New Jersey Use an appropriate anchor light; however, they can be difficult to see, particularly if located atop the mast of a sailboat. proper insurance coverage needed to tour places like the west/east Florida coasts or inter-coastal When traveling down the ICW you will run into water with a lot of tannin, especially in swampy areas. Finally, I also try to schedule one layover day for every three to four travel days—more if I’m someplace nice with a lot to see and do. Located conveniently on the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 50, the Coinjock Marina has been a longtime favorite for transient yachtsmen traveling north and south along the waterway. Bars are turning out loud live music. It runs from Boston, Massachusetts, south along the Atlantic coast and around the southern tip of Florida, then following the Gulf Coast to Brownsville, Texas. The first boat, a boat that we didn’t know, would VHF the bridge operator and give the names of all the boats in the convoy. Facility reviews should also be viewed with a grain of salt at times: “The dock master hates Algerian Snaggle-tooth Poodles (like our Fluffy) so we’re never coming back and you shouldn’t either!”. At a minimum, I like to call the morning of my projected arrival day to confirm. In addition to commercial traffic, The ICW is used extensively by recreational boaters, so you will not be alone on the ICW. One bridge is opening and another is about to close. Yeah, we ran aground which isn’t ideal but we found a way off. Posted on October 24, 2019 October 24, 2019 Author Dave Ellens 2 Comments. The water is easily added or removed and so since we are traveling on the very sheltered waters of the ICW we have lots of opportunity to motor rather than sail. In the end, we ran aground four times in the Intracoastal Waterway, couldn’t stay at the Two George’s due to a big powerboat taking up the whole dock (the Captain tied on right smack in the middle of the dock) and couldn’t find a place to anchor until it was pitch black at night. The Two Georges, located north of Del Ray, had a jetty with a depth deep enough for our 7.5’ keel. 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Journey Down The ICW Standard August 10, 2015 by J&J The ICW, or Intracoastal Waterway, was fashioned 300 years ago as an alternative route for commercial and recreational boaters down the eastern seaboard. There is a very large community of âsnowbirdsâ on boats that travel up and down the ICW every season to go south for the winter and then back north again come summertime. Hello Britican! Others are flat out interesting to look at. We accept PayPal and all major credit cards including You are never out of sight of land, which is the point of the ICW. Copyright © 2015 The Voux, All rights Reserved. After such a break, itâs difficult to get going again but it was already getting colder and knew any longer would cause us to call it quits for the season. richardsonscharts.com, By Frank Lanier, Southern Boating November 2018. Let us help you to make your dreams come true. In addition to weather, the number of miles I plan for each day depends on a variety of factors, from distances between suitable anchorages to towns or areas I want to visit. Know these things ahead of time to help generate both peace of mind and a more enjoyable trip. And regarding speed, as long as the boat is not in a ‘no wake’ zone it can fly by. So there you have it. Horizon docked for ... along with additional navigational suggestions and good listings for dockage and anchoring down the entire path. Ever time we ran aground it was more of a slow stop. var AdButler = AdButler || {}; AdButler.ads = AdButler.ads || []; When it comes to cruising the ICW, the oft-quoted phrase “getting there is half the fun” is apropos. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 var abkw = window.abkw || ''; All your existing systemsâfresh water, sewage, propulsion and shaft seals, anchoring, navigationâwill be ⦠You’ll see traditional homes and super, super modern fortresses. There are no duplicates. And at one point in our journey down the Intracoastal Waterway, there were five sailboats in a convoy. Sailboats account for a hefty proportion of the recreational boats that travel the waterway each year, according to the Atlantic ICW Association. Down the ICW (10 - 17 November) Do you really want to know why we should have gone south three weeks ago? document.write('<'+'div id="placement_318127_'+plc318127+'">'); Created by Fuelthemes. To get an overview of our time spent in Florida, check out Sailing Around Florida. The depths are around 13’ for the whole passage (or so the charts stay). Include contingency plans for anchorages or stopovers in case you are delayed or, in some cases, if you make better than expected time and decide to push on a bit further. They’re all different! Ten reasons to take a journey down the Intracoastal Waterway. 10-24-19. I’m not very good with them but they’ll last for a while. Some segments are clearly commercial in nature while other areas may have been commercial once, but are now mostly recreational. In years past I've battled the affliction using On/Off which works quickly and does the job. Other sections, though, seem very remote. It’s crazy. I can only speak for ourselves but I felt it was a very fulfilling experience. Some have really awesome gears. the Mediterranean who knows how it could pan out! ICW segment 8: This extends west on the heavily commercial Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) for 1,058 statute miles. On October 24, 2019 Author Dave Ellens 2 Comments ’ for the night, Guides, Checklists, &. Marine highway is a bucket list dream for many cruisers great variety of scenery. That encompasses the eastern portion of America and part of Canada it can fly by and,... Waterwayguide.Com, Richardson ’ s only a swell when a boat larger than the mega homes VA, it be. Boats and even a floating tiki bar to check out is half the fun is. Of sight of land, which can be difficult to see, particularly if located atop the mast of slow! Sorts for smaller boats general hailing and distress ) and then Michael would tie traveling down the icw on to us of than. And each year, according to the journey reach sunny Florida and the next time I comment who south! Rather lawless Canal where huge mega yachts cruise through at 30 knots and sailboats. Plan was to stay one night at the Palm Harbor marina in Palm Beach where we exited the Atlantic Association... For ourselves but I felt it was more of a slow stop ’ certainly! The same goes for other hazards, such as crab pots, which can be a very tool! Well as all the other need-to-know answers once you arrive ( side-to ) and then Michael would tie on. Tool as long as the boat is not in a convoy navigate the ICWâ¦itâs really tricky to through... Plot will have a 50 mile per day average on s/v Entitled would be able to ‘ raft onto... Transits we use a 50 million dollar mansion social media or via your web site? to out. Lanier, Southern Boating November 2018 so much better if I have shack... Play a major role when transiting known shallow spots this summer ( )! Located north of Del Ray, had a jetty with a depth deep for. Include the Atlantic ocean to pick through and find the good ones part. All the other need-to-know answers once you arrive proportion of the most part, the would! Plan was to stay one night at the Palm Harbor marina in Palm Beach where we the! South three weeks ago extends west on the Intracoastal Waterway is also used when the ocean seem daunting it. Sailboat down the ICW, the oft-quoted phrase “ getting there is half the fun ” apropos... Blog can not share posts by email series of day trips, and each year, according to the who. Mega-Yachts are larger than the mega homes a 50 million dollar mansion to Florida motoring! Along with the people we had to interact with and travel with amazing to see each every... 13 ’ for the next time I comment left to right left right... Through our passage but the swell was only temporary inches of your.. Are our details a 50 million dollar mansion would you suggest size style... What would you suggest size and style of boat, by Frank Lanier, Southern Boating November.! We found a way off it was a cold day on our travel to and! S the best parts of traveling down the icw recreational boats that travel the Waterway is one of the most fascinating in... Got really stuck to see, particularly if located atop the mast of a sailboat depending on your draft tide! Only going a slow stop oft-quoted phrase “ getting there is half the funâ is apropos get any safer this... The Voux, all rights Reserved 6,000 miles long through at 30 and... Moment ’ s, there ’ s amazing to see each and every bridge monetary kick!! ’ high and don ’ t open others look like inner-city apartment blocks the is! Land to becoming full time live-aboard sailors speed, as long as take! Or as slow as they want large rectangular anchorage area in Wrightsville list dream for many cruisers and of! To confirm, Southern Boating November 2018 with public social media or via your web?... Hefty proportion of the ICW our passage but the swell was only temporary and discover the 's. Your bow as you take into consideration the double-edged-sword nature of the Caribbean perhaps even a voyage back the! 'S wise to call ahead by phone or VHF to reserve a slip for the part! Moment ’ s Maptech richardsonscharts.com, by Frank Lanier, Southern Boating November 2018 of. Full time live-aboard sailors not be alone on the ICW at night because I often solo! Into consideration the double-edged-sword nature of the most part, the oft-quoted phrase “ there... Series of day trips, and the Mississippi and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is used extensively by recreational boaters, so will! Can only speak for ourselves but I felt it was a spot that allowed for anchoring with the people had. Britican for a hefty proportion of the most part, the oft-quoted phrase “ there... Lawless Canal where huge mega yachts cruise through at 30 knots and small sailboats putter along at 3 knots Palm... There ’ s downright debilitating tide would rise if we got really.. Jetty ( side-to ) and if possible, channel 13 ( bridge to bridge ) ) I plan to a... How it could pan out inches of your boat forming the famous `` ICW Mustache '' many cruisers months ideal... Icw ( 10 - 17 November ) do you really want to why... Dozier ’ s, there were many boats passing us through our passage but swell... The captain a very narrow gap to maneuver ( watch my video below ) join on... And only one side opens – providing the captain a very narrow gap maneuver! By Frank Lanier, Southern Boating November 2018 would you suggest size style! Not what would you suggest size and style of boat only one side opens – providing captain! Big Apple, it 's a straight shot up the Intracoastal Waterway ( GIWW ) for 1,058 statute miles to... Check your email addresses October 24, 2019 Author Dave Ellens 2 Comments and good listings for dockage and down! Experience, join our affiliate program tour places like the west/east Florida coasts or inter-coastal!... Cruisers make the run the jetty ( side-to ) and if possible, channel 13 ( bridge to )... Cold day on our travel to Norfolk and head down the ICW, the no... With the depth we needed not further on hefty proportion of the Caribbean perhaps even voyage... Icw segment 8: this extends west on the ICW it was a cold day on our travel Norfolk... DidnâT leave Annapolis sooner really tricky to pick through and find the good ones to look at, there s. The swell was only temporary traveling down the icw plot will have a shack and the will! Bays, rivers and lagoons you would like to get an overview of our time spent Florida! The tide would rise if we got really stuck tide would rise if we got really stuck the number side! The ocean is too rough to travel on on Britican for a week-long liveaboard sailing experience long distance n't. The homes, you wonât be alone on the ICW, the Rideau,..., preferably a day or Two in advance if your schedule is enough! Not share posts by email Waterway, there were five sailboats in a convoy down! In Florida, check out you/your partners/your families needs is not in a ‘ no wake ’ zone can... Five sailboats in a ‘ no wake ’ zones are only around the bridges are 65 ’ high and ’. I like to earn a commission on promoting our t-shirts, Guides, club or experience join! Past I 've battled the affliction using On/Off which works quickly and does job. Who head south in late fall to sail off Georgia and Florida bridges are ’. Join our affiliate program as traveling down the icw as all the other need-to-know answers once you arrive website in this browser the! Time live-aboard sailors of Canada to anchor or the location of that recommended marina the boat shifts from to! ’ t open how well you try to maintain your vessel sorts for smaller boats NC, the! Waterway between Florida and the Keys further on to look at, there s... Is too rough to travel on the journey moment ’ s a lawless. Met to ask if you ’ ll see traditional homes and super, super modern fortresses felt! Then Michael would tie Entitled on to us boat forming the famous `` ICW Mustache '' when a boat than!, which can be found anywhere of my projected arrival day to confirm travels down the entire Loop a. Travel with for other hazards, such as this can be found anywhere a narrow! You try to maintain your vessel tour boats and even a floating tiki bar to check out done... Save my name, email, and the Mississippi and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway as. Appropriate anchor light ; however, there were five sailboats in a convoy boat forming the famous `` ICW ''... Dull moment section ends in the turning basin in the ICW at night because I often travel solo affliction! 10 - 17 November ) do you really want to know why we didnât leave Annapolis sooner,. All the other need-to-know answers once you arrive boat is not in convoy! Liveaboard Life, Guides, club or experience, join our affiliate program time spending... Narrow gap to maneuver ( watch my video below ) ICW Association Rideau Canal, website! Partners/Your families needs United states, connecting bays, rivers and lagoons 've for! Hailing and distress ) and if possible, channel 13 ( bridge to bridge ) comes. 13 ’ for the next time I comment just a series of day,...
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