Conference unifix::sailing

Good luck, Rich -- you apparently know how to recognize an opportunity 
when one presents itself!  More (sail)power to you.

>>>    I expect to start my trip in early May ... and arrive in West Palm
>>>    Beach, Florida by August.  

You could almost back down the ICW and make that schedule.  In fact, 
you'll probably find it takes a lot less time in transit, for some of 
these reasons:

-  Assuming your leaving from NE, WPB is probably 1500-1600 miles distant 
   via the ICW.  Over three months that's less than 18 miles per day average. 
   Given that in many sections you'll have to motor, it's not at all tough to 
   cover more than 50 miles in a relaxing day.

-  Stretches of the ICW are relatively boring; you'll just want to put the 
   water under your keel.

-  Stretches of it are a hassle; you'll want to push past them as 
   expeditiously as possible.

-  Depending on your draft, and the present condition of the Ditch, 
   stretches of it are somewhat shallower in places than the published 
   controlling depths (we grounded a 4' centerboard several times).  Most 
   of these were between Morehead City and Jacksonville, and create a 
   strong incentive to go outside at least from inlet to inlet.  Depending 
   on the weather and your confidence at that point, you may spend time 
   inside an inlet waiting for ideal conditions, both to exit the inlet
   and in anticipation of entering the next one.  Many of them shoal a lot,
   and can have some "interesting" wave and current conditions to deal with. 

The way to fill two or three months is to stop at neat places along the 
way, maritime museums and the like, historic sites, beautiful sailing 
venues.  You could add a couple weeks just poking around the Chesapeake, 
for instance.

Definitely go to any large marine store and buy a copy of the Waterway 
Guide.  Two volumes, I think, one each for north and south of Norfolk.  
They have a *wealth* of important and critical information -- everything 
you need and more, except for offshore charts.

Chances are, by the time you get to WPB, your confidence will be high 
enough to plan a summer crossing of the Gulf Stream, and time in the 
Bahamas will feel a world away from anything the ICW can offer.  It's
arguably a better way to spend any extra time you may have, and will give
a taste of the real, out-of-touch-with-America cruising reality. 

Good luck, 

J.

    Fair winds Rick.  I too am envious.  The only knowledge I have at his
    point about the ICW is local to Charleston S.C.  There is at least one
    draw bridge that has been replaced by a fixed bridge leading to the
    barrier islands that will not allow you to use the ICW all the way
    down.  I think you may have to go outside near or at Ft. Sumter.  I
    second the suggestion to get a waterway guide to aid in your planning.  
    
    Best of luck,
    
    Brian

    envious isn't the word! While we're shovelling snow, you'll be gliding
    on a beam reach, marguerita in hand.
    
    Did you *have* to post this!
    
    good luck

	If I were leaving in May, Id head Downeast for the summer, then
sail south after the hurricane season, but then thats me.

	Good luck and have a safe voyage.

	Dave

     Thanks for the info. I will get the waterway guides soon, i really
    have to start making the decision on how much and what parts of
    the ICW to use. I'm finding it very interesting the amount of planning
    and prep an extended cruise takes, some of the simple things taken
    for granted become major considerations (and after 16 years of planning
    at DEC, plannning was the LAST thing i wanted to do:-). As i'm
    developing my required equipment list, i realize how happy i'm going
    to make some lucky marine supply store owner!
    
     My plto, to arrive in 3 months, may seem excessive but i really do
    have a lot place'de i like to see on the way. And yes, a crossing
    to the Bahamas is exactly what i'd LIKE to do, but as i said, after
    16 years of planning, i'm trying to keep that to a minimum. I'll
    just have to see what i feel like doing when i get to Florida (the
    Keys are not out of the question).
    
     Well i do know enough people who will still be working here that
    i'm sure i can con into posting reports through my trip (if any
    body would be interested in reading). I'm sure i'll be full of great
    tips about what NOT to do!!!!!

    You lucky guy!  You'll have a great time!  My husband and I went south
    in August of 1984 and took it real slow.  We visited all the little
    fishing towns, big cities, relatives, islands etc.  We even sat out two
    hurricanes!  We had Thanksgiving in Georgia and finally Christmas in
    West Palm Beach.  Next time, we'll breeze by all those places, but it
    certainly was fun to do things on land as well as the water on our
    first trip.
    
    I've got lots of suggestions for you ( a list I can send
    you of anchorages, where to grocery shop with ease etc.)  The
    guidebooks do help alot too.  I have a couple of boating friends from
    Maine who will be heading down next season.  I'll tell them to watch
    for you.  What's your boat name?
    
    My best advice is to set your own schedule.  When you start trying to
    get somewhere by a deadline to meet somebody, thats when the pressure
    (and often bad weather) seems to make the trip hard and not so much
    fun.  
    
    Janet