Visit our Popular Forums

RogerBrasil · 04-04-2021, 22:31

Hello there.

I’m traveling from Jacksonville to Miami thru the ICW, on my 40’ Monterey, any suggestions or advices?
I’m new boater, so no hurry.
Any ideia about how long it takes, going about 5 to 6 hours a day?

sailorboy1 · 05-04-2021, 05:51

Be aware of the current at the Atlantic Beach bridge your first day.

Don't cut the corner in Jupiter between the 707 and Federal bridge.

Follow the buoys, if you have less than 8’ you are NOT in channel.

Watch your wake and be courteous to other boaters

**tkeithlu** · 05-04-2021, 06:01

What is your air height? Between Fort Worth and Miami there are 29 lift bridges below our 28' height. It made an off shore advocate out of the local admiral.

The ICW tends to shoal in the corners. Sometimes the right course between bouys is not a straight line. Follow Sailorboy's advice, and expect to keep to the outside of turns.

rwidman · 13-04-2021, 10:49

The number of days it takes to make a voyage such as you propose is the distance in miles divided by the speed of the boat in MPH, divided by the number of hours run per day.

That's under optimal conditions. You should allow for weather delays, no-wake zones and as others have mentioned, bridge delays. There will be many bridges along that route and as you get closer to Miami, you will have to wait for some of these to open. Many are on a restricted schedule and open once or twice per hour.

So, figure it out and then add several hours for an estimate.

MicHughV · 13-04-2021, 11:08

5-6 hours a day, that's not much....at what speed? Many "no wake" zones to consider...

I wouldn't even consider the ICW....it's a pain in the rear end....but if that is your chosen route....think about where you can tie up and fuel up....that would be your limitation.

There are some excellent ICW guides, will tell you all you need to know.