My CD330 is currently sitting in Charleston SC and I am trying to decide an appropriate time of year to bring her to New York. I would appreciate any recommendations or comments from anyone who has travelled the Intercoastal in April or May. I would like to get her to her new home as early as possible while avoiding any know problems which the early season may bring.
Chris.reinke@Transamerica.com
Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Ryan T
Re: Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
The ICW is so well protected along that stretch from Charleston, SC to at least Chesapeake Bay that I wouldn't worry about what time of year I did it. You can run into fog in the winter which could stop forward progress for a bit but it doesn't seem to happen too often. I brought my CD 33 from Charleston, SC to Oriental, NC in August. We took the offshore route from Charleston to Southport, NC and had a great time. No significant navigational hazards to worry about. With good weather, it'd be lots more fun than motoring up the ditch.
rdtec@aol.com
rdtec@aol.com
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Bill Gold
Re: Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
I crewed for a friend on his 42'Whitby in early May about 8 years ago. We sailed from the Bahamas to Beaufort, SC, then up the ICW and Chesapeake to Annapolis. My memory says not to stray too far from the middle except for oncoming or overtaking traffic, because of depth. We did not run aground on that trip, but the skipper was leary from previous experience. Stops along the way included Beaufort, NC, Belhaven, NC, and Coinjock, NC. We arrived at Norfolk (Portsmouth?)about 5 p.m. with a series of squalls, but the crew wanted to keep going, so we did, arriving in Annapolis around 9 a.m. on the last day. I think we took four days from Nassau to Beaufort and 4 days from Beaufort (SC) to Annapolis. Traffic was light. It was my first trip on the ICW and I found the aids to navigation confusing at intersections with rivers, etc. We had a little difficulty getting into the Belhaven slip because of current and cross winds, but the stop was definitely worth it... their evening buffet is great! The Coinjock restaurant featured an elderly guitar player, and we had fun there. Now, I have my own boat (CD30)and am looking forward getting her back east and doing that trip again.
Bill Gold
CD30 Seraphim
St. Helens, OR
billgold@hotmail.com
Bill Gold
CD30 Seraphim
St. Helens, OR
Chris Reinke wrote: My CD330 is currently sitting in Charleston SC and I am trying to decide an appropriate time of year to bring her to New York. I would appreciate any recommendations or comments from anyone who has travelled the Intercoastal in April or May. I would like to get her to her new home as early as possible while avoiding any know problems which the early season may bring.
billgold@hotmail.com
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Brewer Ezzell
Re: Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
Chris,
I have made the trip between Wilmington, NC and Oriental, NC on the Neuse three times in the last year on CHARDONNAY (CD36 and 5' draft). I have not touched bottom yet and found 14' of water most of the time. If the depth sounder read less, I was getting out of the middle. My only problem on one trip was 35 degree temp and 25 knot winds. This is a two day trip with a stop at Swansboro. Dudleys, though an old facility, is an excellent place to dock. They will take you to a restaurant, or lend you the marina stationwagon. Between Wilmington and Swansboro, there are four bridges that have to be caught right - Two on the hour, two on the half hour. Wilmington to Beaufort can also be covered outside, with a pleasant stop over at Cape Lookout. South of Wilmington, the Cape Fear River (between Southport and Snows Cut at Carolina Beach) can be slow going against the tide, or very uncomfortable in you have a wind against the tide. A CD330 should have no problems in the Carolinas.
Enjoy!
Brewer
CD36 CHARDONNAY
Wilmington, NC
bemf249@murphyfarms.com
I have made the trip between Wilmington, NC and Oriental, NC on the Neuse three times in the last year on CHARDONNAY (CD36 and 5' draft). I have not touched bottom yet and found 14' of water most of the time. If the depth sounder read less, I was getting out of the middle. My only problem on one trip was 35 degree temp and 25 knot winds. This is a two day trip with a stop at Swansboro. Dudleys, though an old facility, is an excellent place to dock. They will take you to a restaurant, or lend you the marina stationwagon. Between Wilmington and Swansboro, there are four bridges that have to be caught right - Two on the hour, two on the half hour. Wilmington to Beaufort can also be covered outside, with a pleasant stop over at Cape Lookout. South of Wilmington, the Cape Fear River (between Southport and Snows Cut at Carolina Beach) can be slow going against the tide, or very uncomfortable in you have a wind against the tide. A CD330 should have no problems in the Carolinas.
Enjoy!
Brewer
CD36 CHARDONNAY
Wilmington, NC
bemf249@murphyfarms.com
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Bob B.
Re: Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
Chris,
When I am not sailing, Iwork one of the Intracoastal Waterway tugs that travel the N-S route. Our tug works as far south as Coco Beach, FL and as far North as Edenton, NC. As to the ICW, you should have no substantial problems as you move northward. The draft of your boat is such that, like others have said, if you stay in the middle you are OK. We do travel down with some very wide barges out front and it may cause you to move to the side a bit. If you will call the captain on Channel 13 on the radio, most will tell you what the bottom is like on either side or advise one whistle pass or two whistle pass. I sometimes just wait for the large barges to pass and just hang to the side. In some places it is good to listen for secrurity calls, especially the "rock pile" behind Myrtle Beach. If you hear of commercial traffic heading up this area, it may be advisable to wait a while for them to pass on through. The Neuse River sometimes kicks up a mean short chop so you may want to hunker down in Cedar Creek just out of Adams Creek Canal if the weather is bad (20knots or above). Headwinds on the Neuse have stopped my CD27 and caused a turnaround. Plan your trip to hit the tides off of the spring tides. There are some negative tides that cause even sailboats to bottom out. Our boat draws 8.5 feet and we were bottomed out next to three sailboats just between Ben Sawyer Bridge and the Isle of Palms bridge. I sounded on the front of the barges and the depth was maybe 5 feet. There are spots like that but very few. McClellanville has a few similar spots.
Good luck with your trip. It should be great in late Feb or March. If you see us on the water give us a call.
Bob B.
SV - Oblivion
MV - Royal Engineer
BundyR@aol.com
When I am not sailing, Iwork one of the Intracoastal Waterway tugs that travel the N-S route. Our tug works as far south as Coco Beach, FL and as far North as Edenton, NC. As to the ICW, you should have no substantial problems as you move northward. The draft of your boat is such that, like others have said, if you stay in the middle you are OK. We do travel down with some very wide barges out front and it may cause you to move to the side a bit. If you will call the captain on Channel 13 on the radio, most will tell you what the bottom is like on either side or advise one whistle pass or two whistle pass. I sometimes just wait for the large barges to pass and just hang to the side. In some places it is good to listen for secrurity calls, especially the "rock pile" behind Myrtle Beach. If you hear of commercial traffic heading up this area, it may be advisable to wait a while for them to pass on through. The Neuse River sometimes kicks up a mean short chop so you may want to hunker down in Cedar Creek just out of Adams Creek Canal if the weather is bad (20knots or above). Headwinds on the Neuse have stopped my CD27 and caused a turnaround. Plan your trip to hit the tides off of the spring tides. There are some negative tides that cause even sailboats to bottom out. Our boat draws 8.5 feet and we were bottomed out next to three sailboats just between Ben Sawyer Bridge and the Isle of Palms bridge. I sounded on the front of the barges and the depth was maybe 5 feet. There are spots like that but very few. McClellanville has a few similar spots.
Good luck with your trip. It should be great in late Feb or March. If you see us on the water give us a call.
Bob B.
SV - Oblivion
MV - Royal Engineer
BundyR@aol.com
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Larry Niles
Re: Any Intercoastal Experience / Advice?
I was not sure from your post if you were interested in the ICW north of the Cheasapeake. I ran the ICW along the atlantic coast from just north of Cape Charles Va. to Ocean City Maryland. It was not easy. Shallow water kept me and my CD 26, with a 3'6" draft, busy in almost the entire length (in spots) with the exception of chincoteague bay (which is a pleasure to sail anytime). For the most part I recommend waiting for good weather and going outside or just going up the cheasapeake and down the delaware bay. The ICW in New jersey is also difficult with shoal water and many bridges. It's probably best to go outside putting in at cape may, atlantic city and barnegat. Email if you would like more info.
nilesl@algorithms.com
nilesl@algorithms.com