intercoastal waterway

[laika]

The ICW can get really tedious after a couple days, especially solo. The flip side is that you meet a lot of great people and see parts of America that you'd never see otherwise. The entire stretch from VA to SC is particularly beautiful and historic.

There are jump off points along the way that are great for overnight jaunts. My advise would be don't be in a hurry, take in some real southern culture along the way, and weave in and out based on what makes sense to you in real time.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by ronrpy44

I am located in Toledo Ohio and I'm new to this site. I'm taking my 1980 25 foot o'day through the Erie Canal to Albany down to Hudson to New York. from there I want to take the boat down to Titusville Florida. I would like to take the boat down the Atlantic side and not go down the intercoastal I'm hoping this will save me time. there are inlets about every 35 to 40 miles in case I would have to take shelter because of storms....which forum should I go to to ask my many questions?

It's not a bad idea following the ICW from Norfolk to Morehead City. You can sail in the Chesapeake Bay and parts of Pamlico Sound if the weather permits. From Morehead you can make fairly comfortable overnight hops to Southport, then Charleston, then Fernandina Beach. Cruising is not about going as fast as possible - better to enjoy the trip and let it take the time it needs to take.


Wanted to add - the Waterway Guide is an excellent resource, as is Activecaptain.com

[Cheechako]

Going outside will basically take as long as in the waterway... it's up to you and how you stay on schedule. There are not places to duck in every 35-40 miles though. , getting in and out can be long trip on some inlets too.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by misfits

What fun would that be?

Go back and read my post. If it needs explaining, post back and I will try to explain it to you.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

............ How can you ever expect to gain the experience if you won't go out to sea in the first place? ...........

By taking short trips and going with experienced friends, not by starting out on a two thousand mile ocean voyage alone.

[The Garbone]

Originally Posted by ronrpy44

I am located in Toledo Ohio and I'm new to this site. I'm taking my 1980 25 foot o'day through the Erie Canal to Albany down to Hudson to New York. from there I want to take the boat down to Titusville Florida. I would like to take the boat down the Atlantic side and not go down the intercoastal I'm hoping this will save me time. there are inlets about every 35 to 40 miles in case I would have to take shelter because of storms....which forum should I go to to ask my many questions?

Sounds like a fun trip. I would love to do it.

For your outside sections I would suggest an autopilot. Having been out in the ocean on our 27' it can be very nice just sailing toward a compass point and not having to worry about the ICW traffic and such. That said if you get swells a 10+ hour day on the tiller can get pretty tiresome.

[Curious Sailor]

Welcome! If you're looking for a good place to find info on your travel down this is the place. Just post your questions as a topic and help will come to you...


http://curioussailor.blogspot.com/

[misfits]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Go back and read my post. If it needs explaining, post back and I will try to explain it to you.

Anyone that want to take their boat from Ohio thru the Erie Canal, down the Hudson to NYC, I don't think trailering it to save time to get to Florida was what he had in mind, hence my post "what fun would that be".

By the way, I like the name of your boat

[ronrpy44]

Thank you for replying you are really right