Sailboat in ICW from August Onwards - Heading South from Baltimore

[andreavanduyn]

We Europeans like to do the ICW with our old Tashing but heard that harbours along the way do NOT take sailboats in from August -.....due to insurance issue?

Who knows more as we intend to leave Baltimore end July for The Carib

Eric

[skipmac]

Hi Eric,

Not quite sure what you are referring to, but I have never heard of any harbors or marinas in the US closing for August or any other part of hurricane season except when there is an actual hurricane coming. Then there may be bridge closings, marinas closing, etc but still have not heard of any harbor closing.

Many marinas and probably some mooring locations will require proof of insurance any time of year. The requirement is mainly liability insurance to cover damages in case you crash into another boat at the marina.

[TaoJones]

Your decision to head for the Caribbeam during hurricane season is worrisome - have you thought this through? Your insurance will probably not be in force if you go south of about Cape Hatteras during hurricane season. You should check that with your insurer.

TaoJones

[dennisjay]

Eric -

Most of us in the north don't head down the ICW until at least mid-September. July and August in the southern states can be unbearably hot on many parts of the ICW.

[andreavanduyn]

sounds we can do it as insurance is onboard

understand hot weather but good thing is we live in UAE so used to 30+

*presume not many boats are on the ICW then; correct?

We need to either go August slowly down south or next year due to my sons holidays/school

Any practical advise welcome

Eric

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by Xpets

....

Any practical advise welcome

Eric

1. Buy a good Waterway Guide and read it.
2. When you go, watch the weather closely. There are lots of ways to get the WX, and hurricane warnings typically track 'canes for more than a week before they become a danger to land.
3. Get an aircard for your laptop to give you Internet along most of the East Coast.
4. Take your time; don't try to do more than about 50-60 miles per day.
5. Be prepared to stop to await storm passage.
6. Have fun. Mostly, it won't be as hot as in the UAE :-)

Bill

[Chief Engineer]

Does the UAE have 100% humidity?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Does the UAE have 100% humidity?

No but we can hit 90% plus in FL.

[YOGAO]

There will be a lot of boats on the ICW since it is summer and the local people will be enjoying the water. There will not be too many cruisers though and the Dismal Swamp may be closed (or have limited openings) if there are drought conditions.

btrayfors has some great tips. I would also get the Skipper Bob book on ICW Anchorages. It was our single most used reference on our ICW trips.

The Active Captain, a CF member, also offers an on-line guide.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Your decision to head for the Caribbeam during hurricane season is worrisome - have you thought this through? Your insurance will probably not be in force if you go south of about Cape Hatteras during hurricane season. You should check that with your insurer.

TaoJones

Well for what it's worth I live in hurricane country and BoatUS will insure me even if I keep the boat here and in the water all year. Just costs double what I paid when I kept the boat in New England.

[andreavanduyn]

hi Bill; thanks info. Kindly explain what do you mean by 'canes....?

And what is an aircard?

sorry for being European ; by the way lovely boat and name is same as we had on our old S&S Swan 44 long ago........brilliant

2. When you go, watch the weather closely. There are lots of ways to get the WX, and hurricane warnings typically track 'canes for more than a week before they become a danger to land.
3. Get an aircard for your laptop to give you Internet along most of the East Coast.

[andreavanduyn]

Good idea and will order book(s); seems I need 2 correct? for anchorage and for ports. Is that 'all I need' next to gps and mapping system on board?

Eric

[andreavanduyn]

no but in the 90ties......reason why we go sailing........to another high humidity area; now who is stupid?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Xpets

hi Bill; thanks info. Kindly explain what do you mean by 'canes....?

And what is an aircard?

sorry for being European ; by the way lovely boat and name is same as we had on our old S&S Swan 44 long ago........brilliant

2. When you go, watch the weather closely. There are lots of ways to get the WX, and hurricane warnings typically track 'canes for more than a week before they become a danger to land.
3. Get an aircard for your laptop to give you Internet along most of the East Coast.

Canes = hurricanes

aircard = an adapter from a cell phone company that you plug into your computer or laptop and use to access the internet over the cell phone network. you do have to pay an extra monthly fee, usually USD$40-$80 per month over your regular cell phone bill.

[Captain Bill]

With a 6'6" draft I would also suggest towing insurance through TowboatUS or Seatow. There are a number of places in the ICW where that much draft is problamatic. Unlimited towing insurance is available for about $150 where as one uninsured tow off a shallow spot can cost $800 or more.