Looking for ICW Info

[outbound4632]

I'm planning on doing the ICW sometime this year and could use a source for general advice.

[AfterHoursNLCT]

How to cruise America's Great Loop


Use the section for the ICW...

[Waterway Guide]

I'd recommend getting a comprehensive cruising guide for the ICW – much more information for planning. (I could recommend one in particular, but that would be shameless!) If you have a specific question you can't find the answer for, I'd be happy to help – send me a PM. Happy cruising...you'll have a lot of fun.

[2theSea]

I really like the On the Water CharterGuides when traveling the ICW, they have "CRUISEGUIDE FOR THE ICW" which I wouldn't go without it. They also have a very updated "ANCHORGUIDES FOR THE ICW" if you plan on anchoring.

[cheoah]

http://cruisersnet.net is an essential source for information online


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[AKMark]

We just finished a Round Trip from Annapolis to Palm Beach, FL and back. We used the Waterway Guide and their Web Site multiple times per day. A great, detailed source. Once you get used to the format, you can very rapidly find the info you need.

Even though I do web development for a living, I firmly believe it's best to have a hardcopy of the guide to use in addition to online content.

We also used Active Captain, although in areas where it is shallow there is often conflicting info, so you need to do a little detective work to figure out which to believe.

A key point is to realize that all of the info, including the official NOAA charts are sometimes wrong. You're better off if you consider them "guides" to help you find the real markers out there on the water. This is especially true with Chartplotters, and we occasionally were in the middle of the channel, but the chartplotter showed us on land. And we had a fairly high end chartplotter.

It's a great trip, and I hope you enjoy it!

[Leo Ticheli]

The books and charts are essential, but the most valuable information comes from other cruisers. We met people along the way more than happy to share up to date information.

Walk the docks, ask at every place to fuel up or pump out, find other sailors in the restaurants. Without doubt, the fellowship is the best part of the trip.

Fair winds,

Leo

[cheoah]

Agreed that local knowledge can be helpful. Be careful who you follow and who you get advice from. The one time I asked advice from a guy I almost ran aground. He was sailing a 40 something foot island packet and I figured he knew what was up, being a new sailor. Nope. Even the active captain stuff is just another reference point, but charts and the "sailors eye" guide my piloting.

Just a heads up that having a nice boat does not a seaman make.

[AnchorageGuy]

Here are our blog posts on several of our trips up and down the ICW. I'm sure you will find lots of useful information. Let me know if you have any questions. The Trawler Beach House: Intracoastal Waterway . Chuck

[greenbean]

Hey how do we subscribe to your blog?


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[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by greenbean

Hey how do we subscribe to your blog?


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If you scroll down the left-hand column, you will see a box that says "Enter Your Email Address". Just put it in and click subscribe. Chuck

[Wicked Salty]

On my youtube I documented our whole ICW experience from a new cruisers perspective.

www.youtube.com/wickedsalty

Get the John Kettlewell ICW book, nice vhf, shallow draft/if not run with tides if you have to.

[greenbean]

I guess it doesn't have s mobile interface, I have to wait till I get to my computer. Thsnks


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[LTGoshen]

Originally Posted by Wicked Salty

On my youtube I documented our whole ICW experience from a new cruisers perspective.

www.youtube.com/wickedsalty

Get the John Kettlewell ICW book, nice vhf, shallow draft/if not run with tides if you have to.

Yes you did and your dog survived... Great job