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16-12-2024, 08:44
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
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Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Dave V]Hi Dockhead, this is Dave V, my first message I think but your things are same to my curiosity, I just purchased a Bermuda 40 Sloop in Annapolis and have trucking quotes to S Fl, it’s just the rig is so excellent and tuned, i’m also considering a sail instead of trucking. Is there a time of year and route or tips like catching prevalent counter currents, or best Waypoints for a Gale, any tips or better Cruising Guides, also very interested in Star Link upgrade kits, is there a Amazon or WestMarine Antenna/Mount Upgrade for my original Star link (still in box)? thank you, Dave V, & Mi Mika
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17-12-2024, 08:09
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#2
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Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,292
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Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Moving a post about this from another thread.
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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17-12-2024, 08:19
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#3
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Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,292
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
I've done this trip twice, both times before Christmas.
Both times we day sailed down the Chesapeake, then set out into the Atlantic and sailed nonstop to Charleston. From Charleston there are various options for stopping if you want to day sail, or sail nonstop from there, or don't stop at all in Charleston if the weather is OK.
Both trips we had generally northerly winds, including a gale or two.
Hatteras is obviously a difficult transit in a Northerly; you have to stay out of the Gulf Stream (I have broken ribs to show for having failed to do so the first time, last year).
Otherwise, there's not much to it.
Stay well offshore at Frying Pan Shoals; there is a cut but why mess with that, especially in any weather?
There is almost no traffic other than some vessels going in or out of the few ports.
Didn't see more than one or two other yachts on both trips.
Didn't see any fishing gear, but we generally stood off well offshore, as I recommend others do.
The sea state can be quite lumpy in those waters, as the continental shelf is far offshore and the bottom slopes up. We experienced a lot of rolling.
We had the fastest 12 hours run I've ever experienced under sail leaving the Chesapeake, on a slightly broad reach in 25 knots of wind -- 126 miles. That's in 12, not 24 hours. We never saw anything less than 10 knots during that period. That's on a 67 foot boat, however.
This is a not particularly challenging offshore passage, with the main things to mind being the Gulf Stream and the lee shore you often get (stand off well offshore).
I would think it could be done pretty much any time of year provided there's a decent weather window. It's fairly far between safe harbors (because of the barrier islands) but not so far as to be dangerous. Good weather planning is key here.
As to Starlink -- this is brilliant, far better than I hoped. We're using a Mini and it's amazingly good. Some of the best VOIP calls I've ever made. It's better than the average land line in the U.S. I'm installing one of these on my own boat in the spring for sure.
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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18-12-2024, 04:46
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Boat: 58' Sedan Bridge
Posts: 5,626
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave V
I just purchased a Bermuda 40 Sloop in Annapolis and have trucking quotes to S Fl, it’s just the rig is so excellent and tuned, i’m also considering a sail instead of trucking. Is there a time of year and route or tips like catching prevalent counter currents, or best Waypoints for a Gale, any tips or better Cruising Guides,
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If you're interest in sight-seeing along the way, and if your mast is shorter than about 62'-ish... a leisurely trip down the AICWW offers you about 20 decent stopping points along the way.
The Waterway Guide is a good resource for looking at that possibility.
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA.
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18-12-2024, 06:09
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#5
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
I echo Dockhead's post.
The ICW, in my opinion, is for the birds, it is shoal, beset with tides, barge traffic, bridges, etc, etc, and will easily consume a month of time from Annapolis to S. Fla
You could as an option do the ICW down to Beaufort, and then go offshore from there. This will give you a few days to sort out the boat.
Georgia has monster tidal ranges, and Florida has numerous shoals in the ICW, but has several spots along the coast that you can duck into in case of inclement weather.
The closer you get to S. Fla, the closer you need to hug the shoreline to avoid the Gulf Stream.
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18-12-2024, 14:31
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 2,148
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead
Hatteras is obviously a difficult transit in a Northerly; you have to stay out of the Gulf Stream (I have broken ribs to show for having failed to do so the first time, last year).
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Why do people keep saying this??? What's difficult about it in a Northerly?
If you are headed south around Hatteras you have no need and no business being out in the Gulf Stream--no matter which direction the wind blows from. That would be stupid. Just as stupid as trying to come north around Hatteras in a northerly wind.
I have done this south bound trip may times on my own boat and on deliveries. I have ALWAYS rounded Hatteras in a north wind, sometimes 25 to 35 knots. I wait in Norfolk for a cold front, and then run like a bunny as soon as the wind clocks. That brings us to rounding Hatteras about 18 to 20 hours after the wind shift. We then run south inside the Gulf Stream on a broad reach, sometimes as far as Port Everglades.
When rounding Hatteras, stay inside the 150 foot depth contour, and you are not only out of the Gulf Stream, you might even be set South depending on the tidal currents. There is plenty of room between all the Capes and the Gulf Stream. Staying out of the gulf stream is easy. You watch the water temperature, and your current set.
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18-12-2024, 15:13
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,767
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
When I rounded Hatteras the GS was right near shore South of Hatteras all the way to Frying Pan shoals. The strong NE wind against the GS was fun sailing but we were going nowhere. I'd say we were maybe 1/2 mile off the beach. The wind cold, the water warm. I don't remember the depth though.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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18-12-2024, 16:30
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#8
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
note sure if this will work. This is the Gulf Stream map taken off Mike's weather page.It shows the GS quite near Hatteras and moving likkity split.
https://earth.nullschool.net/#curren....38,28.43,1186
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18-12-2024, 16:33
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#9
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
As a side note, have travelled the east coast from Maine to Florida, plus several trips to Bermuda and have had my ears clipped on more than one occasion when I was in the stream, thinking I was not, due to it's many gyrations and meanders.
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19-12-2024, 05:06
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Boat: 58' Sedan Bridge
Posts: 5,626
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by MicHughV
The ICW, in my opinion, is for the birds, it is shoal, beset with tides, barge traffic, bridges, etc, etc, and will easily consume a month of time from Annapolis to S. Fla
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We're birds. That's our usual plan, typically about 3 weeks... because we like the trip, not just the destination.
Tides, depths, barges, bridges, whatever... all wonders to admire. There is A (one) bridge tender who's sometimes a bit of stuff, but he wouldn't be to any boat with a real mast.
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA.
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19-12-2024, 06:02
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#11
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
The ICW is an interesting place. I did the ICW going north to the Chesapeake Bay some many years ago on a boat with a draft of 6'3".
Needless to say, we ran aground several times, sometimes we could get off in a short order, other times had to wait hours for a changing tide. At that time, there were numerous draw bridges which were a challenge of their own.
Whomever was on the wheel had to be attentive at all times.
It was a tough trip, but we did stop at several friendly and interesting places for dinner, etc, so there was that.
Likewise I have done the ICW going south. As above, the trip was fraught with groundings and other ICW drama, strong tides, etc.
So, having done most of the ICW, I swore I would never do it again and further trips going north or south were done offshore, which, in my opinion, is the way to go. It's quicker off course, and way more relaxing as the autopilot can do the bulk of the work.
More peaceful too, as one does not have to listen to the diesel 10 hours a day.
Some people are adverse to sailing at night, but I rather enjoy it, as it gives me time to reflect on things and ponder the majesty of the stars and so on.
Ah well, to each his own......
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19-12-2024, 07:40
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#12
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Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,292
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie
Why do people keep saying this??? What's difficult about it in a Northerly?
If you are headed south around Hatteras you have no need and no business being out in the Gulf Stream--no matter which direction the wind blows from. That would be stupid. Just as stupid as trying to come north around Hatteras in a northerly wind. .
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The Stream wanders, and can be very close inshore at Hatteras.
In our particular case, we were double handed sailing almost dead downwind.
I had gotten the latest info on the stream and left a clearing bearing to the other watch for avoiding the stream, but he would have needed to jibe the boat to make this happen. I was jet lagged from the trip from Europe and sleeping and he felt sorry for me and decided to carry on the wrong tack for a while rather than wake me -- jibing a boat that size is a two handed job.
I was awakened by being thrown into the headliner of my berth (in the forepeak), when we fell off the first steep wave in the Stream.
Shirt happens.
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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19-12-2024, 07:45
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#13
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Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Denmark (Winter), Cruising North Sea and Baltic (Summer)
Boat: Cutter-Rigged Moody 54
Posts: 35,292
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by MicHughV
The ICW is an interesting place. I did the ICW going north to the Chesapeake Bay some many years ago on a boat with a draft of 6'3".
Needless to say, we ran aground several times, sometimes we could get off in a short order, other times had to wait hours for a changing tide. At that time, there were numerous draw bridges which were a challenge of their own.
Whomever was on the wheel had to be attentive at all times.
It was a tough trip, but we did stop at several friendly and interesting places for dinner, etc, so there was that.
Likewise I have done the ICW going south. As above, the trip was fraught with groundings and other ICW drama, strong tides, etc.
So, having done most of the ICW, I swore I would never do it again and further trips going north or south were done offshore, which, in my opinion, is the way to go. It's quicker off course, and way more relaxing as the autopilot can do the bulk of the work.
More peaceful too, as one does not have to listen to the diesel 10 hours a day.
Some people are adverse to sailing at night, but I rather enjoy it, as it gives me time to reflect on things and ponder the majesty of the stars and so on.
Ah well, to each his own...... 
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My experience is similar.
I did a lot of sailing in the ICW in our previous boat, in the 90's and 2000's. Despite only 4 1/2' of draft, we hit the ground regularly, as the bottom changes with the various storms which come through.
Like MicHughV I like offshore sailing. And if you want to make miles, by far the best way to do it is to get offshore and get into the rhythm of passage-making. Trying to do this trip in the ICW would take a long, long time with a lot of white-knuckled helming. And not an option in this boat anyway with a nearly 100' mast and 9' of draft.
__________________
"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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19-12-2024, 08:16
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#14
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2019
Boat: Beneteau 432, C&C Landfall 42, Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 7,162
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
True, the 65' bridge clearance puts the kibosh on a lot of boats attempting to do the ICW.
Some time back I worked for an engineering company that was very involved with dredging the ICW and a l learned a lot of things, mostly that it is a very complicated and expensive thing to do, what with all the environmental permitting requirements and the big problem of what to do with the bottom sedimentation once it is dredged up.
I could explain in detail, but suffice it to say, that trying to maintain any type of depth in the ICW is near impossible to do as outlined above.
Bits and pieces of the problem areas of the ICW do get dredged fairly often, but it is a recurring problem at best.
I've sailed offshore on numerous occasions, and simply can't understand why many other sailors do not consider this option.
It does occasionally get rough with contrary winds, but nothing so exceptional as to be avoided.
In the spring and summer, the near shore Atlantic is for the most part quite placid.
Even your basic and average small sailboat can easily manage these conditions.
I don't think it's the boat, the ocean or the weather that is the problem, it is invariably the problem of the captain and his crew that are unwilling to go offshore any distance.
Just my 2c.....
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19-12-2024, 08:36
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: New Jersey
Boat: 2018 Bali 4.1, 1987 Hunter 34, 2005 Seafox 21'
Posts: 51
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Re: Annapolis to South Florida in the Winter
Quote:
Originally Posted by MicHughV
True, the 65' bridge clearance puts the kibosh on a lot of boats attempting to do the ICW.
Some time back I worked for an engineering company that was very involved with dredging the ICW and a l learned a lot of things, mostly that it is a very complicated and expensive thing to do, what with all the environmental permitting requirements and the big problem of what to do with the bottom sedimentation once it is dredged up.
I could explain in detail, but suffice it to say, that trying to maintain any type of depth in the ICW is near impossible to do as outlined above.
Bits and pieces of the problem areas of the ICW do get dredged fairly often, but it is a recurring problem at best.
I've sailed offshore on numerous occasions, and simply can't understand why many other sailors do not consider this option.
It does occasionally get rough with contrary winds, but nothing so exceptional as to be avoided.
In the spring and summer, the near shore Atlantic is for the most part quite placid.
Even your basic and average small sailboat can easily manage these conditions.
I don't think it's the boat, the ocean or the weather that is the problem, it is invariably the problem of the captain and his crew that are unwilling to go offshore any distance.
Just my 2c.....
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I agree. If you are a Cat, you should give it a go sometime. It's my opinion that the ICW is a national treasure. Its my hope that the new administration agrees and potentially directs more funds for its continued maintenance. The South Carolina portion is my personnal favorite
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