ICW with 7' Draft and 60' Clearance

[Peter Visser]

It's probaly a stupid question.
But what about the possibilities of navigating the ICW with a 7 ft draft and a 60 ft air-clearence?
We are at the moment still in Chili so it is impossible to obtain pilots on the ICW.
We know it would be pressing our luck. But are there parts that we could do? And what are the bottlenecks with regard to depth and fixed bridges.

Thanks,
Peter Visser
Wereldreis PacificBlue

[Vasco]

60 feet is ok but 7 foot draft will be a bit tight in some spots in GA, SC and NC. But you can duck in and out. There are many inlets. Just have to pick your spots. I know folks who have done the whole stretch of Atlantic ICW with 7 foot draft. 60 feet will get you through all the bridges except the Julia Tuttle Bridge in North Miami. This isn't a problem as you can easily shoot outside from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale.

[marc2012]

Some 50 ft bridges nw fl..marc

[gbanker]

Sort of like doing the Bahamas with 7' draft. It can be done but...
Vasco has it right, ducking in and out will be the way to go. Lots on ICW info available here in the states in cruising guides.

[sailvayu]

Make sure you have seatow or towboatus or both lol. I agree with the others it can be done but I would go outside as much as possible.

Fair Winds

[zydecotoad]

I did the Norfolk to Beaufort section of the ICW in a boat with 7 foot draft once. We kept score on how many times each person went aground while at the helm. I think the total was 8 times. Each time it was fairly easy to motor ourselves off. Some of the groundings were because we wandered out of the channel, but some were smack in the middle.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Peter Visser

navigating the ICW with a 7 ft draft and a 60 ft air-clearence?
Peter Visser
Wereldreis PacificBlue

Peter, This Evans from "Hawk". When do you think you will get to the US east coast? Are you going to come thru Panama?

We have our boat in the Chesapeake and it would be fun to get together.

You have gotten accurate advice above. The ICW is mostly possible with your boat (except a few short bridges at the southern end) but you would do a lot of motoring and run aground a few times and I think you would better enjoy some legs offshore.

[Peter Visser]

Hi Evans,

If we decide to take the northern route we will be there next summer 2011.
We might even leave the boat for a winter season but apparently that gives problems with customs.
Would be nice to meet up with you and Beth.

[Martinini]

You can download charts here Obtain Charting Products

[cabo_sailor]

In SW Florida there are spots where I bounce off the bottom, in the center of the ICW with a 5 ft draft. I'm referring to the stretch of coast between Marco Island and Tarpon Springs.

[doug86]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

In SW Florida there are spots where I bounce off the bottom, in the center of the ICW with a 5 ft draft. I'm referring to the stretch of coast between Marco Island and Tarpon Springs.

... sometimes, the deepest water isn't in the center of the channel...

just sayin'
doug

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by doug86

... sometimes, the deepest water isn't in the center of the channel...

just sayin'
doug

That's true but unless you have local knowledge to the contrary that's where the deepest water should be... one doesn't have too many options to search before going bumpity bump.

[Pblais]

60 feet is OK but 7 foot draft will be a bit tight in some spots in GA, SC and NC.

I did Annapolis to Charleston, SC last October with 4 - 9. We went soft aground twice. With 6 ft draft it would be an adventure and with 7 ft it would not. Once you hit Beaufort, NC the tide will define everything. The tides south are high and of course low. Prediction is not as easy as it might seem between all the inlets.

Jumping in and out at the class A inlets would be the better course. Getting far enough south would afford that option. This clearly is a time when being in a hurry would be unwise. You need to pick your better options on purpose. You need to hold fast if the time is not right. Enthusiasm is a poor substitute for prudence.