"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote in message
...


So Harry, which way is better, to run the outside in good weather or to
contend with the barges on the ICW?


You asked Harry, but I'll give you my opinion.

There were a couple of places that we passed close by to a long train of
barges being towed by a large tugboat. The train was so long that several
small tugs were attached along the length of the multiple barge train to
help steer the whole thing around bends.

These barges take up the center of the channel in the ICW. In order for us
to pass (in opposing directions) the Navigator, at 52' LOA, 15' beam and
drawing 4.5' was within 12-15 feet abeam of the barge train, and still my
depth alarm was going off.

A smaller boat, with an outboard or I/0 could easily move out of the main
channel, even stop and tilt the engine up, until the barge passed.

There are notices of barge and large ship movements made available to boats
transiting those sections of the ICW so you can avoid having to deal with
it.

Eisboch