Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

[Captain Paddy]

Does anyone have a feeling about the latest one might depart Annapolis, headed south? Mostly we want to get to a place the butter melts without freezing our butts off, but can't arrange our calendar to leave before the next week or so.

Captain Paddy

[capn_billl]

How far south are you going? There is still a tropical system in the caribbean.

[skipmac]

Since you can stay in the ICW from VA south the waters are protected so you will not need to be quite as concerned about stormy weather. I have known people to head south throughout the winter. Just gets colder, more chance of rain (or sleet and snow if you are still north of GA).

As long as you stay in the ditch I don't see time of year as a restriction. Just watch the weather and if it's blowing a strong Nor'easter you may want to stay put in a good anchorage or protected marina until the wind drops.

Do you have a heater? Thermal underwear?

[Captain Paddy]

Thanks to both of you. We wouldn't get to the Caribbean in any case until the new year, and we'll stop at KMart for some long johns....

The Chesapeake is about 24 hours for us, and we hope we can push off with good weather at least that far.

Captain Paddy

[AnchorageGuy]

We have left the Chesapeake in October and froze, well not really froze, until Daytona and have left in December and it was pleasant once we reached North Carolina. So the answer to your question will be right or wrong depending on the weather and weather forecasting and predictions are at best a guess. Have a great trip. Chuck

[dennisjay]

We're leaving Annapolis Saturday -- about a month later than we wanted. I know folks who've left in January and did OK. I think the biggest factor is having a good, water-proof dodger and bimini. Cold is one thing. Cold and wet, at least for me, is intolerable.

My experience is once you get past mid-NC, the weather's OK even in late fall.

[teejayevans]

What's with the weather?? We got North winds 15-25 for the next five days, that's not suppose to happen until December, so it really doesn't matter if you don't mind the cold or have heat and don't mind staying at marinas.
Tom

[Islandmike]

We left Norfolk in Jan and arrived in Jax March 30th. Having left CT we thught the weather started getting nice in GA.

[scallywag]

The lows are going to be in the 40's on Saturday, November 6, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl. It will probably be warm on December 25th. We have have had our windows open on previous Thanksgiving Days.