DSK wrote in news:6u1rd.70071$IQ.26056
@bignews6.bellsouth.net:

Geoff Schultz wrote:
I do understand the concept of controlling depth. I will also state
that I've never had a log bump until going through the Dismal Swamp
canal.

Well, that certainly makes it the canal's fault.

I'm not blaming anyone. All that I stated was that I bumped into logs
there and that I've never bumped into logs anywhere else. Take it or
leave it. I'd rather be forewarned of the issues and make an insightful
decision rather than people later telling me "Oh, I knew that..."

.... There's also
all of the tanins in the water which makes it look like coffee. That
will leave a beard.

That's true most places between Daytona and Barnegat. And it won't
leave
a stain if you wax your hull.

Personally it's the most tanic water that I've ever seen. My hull is
well waxed and I still got a beard. I have a photo of the water at
http://www.geoffschultz.org/1999_Sai...5_FL_RI/990514
_Norfolk/imagepages/image2.htm



If I wouldn't have been forced to divert to Elizabeth City, I
wouldn't
have gone through the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Geoff, why do you cruise? You don't seem to enjoy it, all you do is
complain about your gear and the awful places you go.

Interesting observation. I went off and googled this forum to see what
I've posted over the years. Somewhere around 500 posts and the vast,
vast majority of them aren't complaints at all. Sure I'll admit that I
was extremely vocal about my old diesel generator, but that thing was a
piece of crap from the day that I bought it and they wouldn't stand
behind it. If you're implying my current set of comments on KISS wind
generator are a complaint, then I'd disagree. I like the generator, but
it has some deficiences which in my mind could be easily fixed at
minimal cost which would make the product safer.

This groups is rec.boats.CRUISING, but I find that very few of the
people who participate in here actually cruise. I spend 7 months a year
on average cruising in the Caribbean. My equipment requirements are
very different from someone who is doing US coastal cruising. When
something breaks, there's nowhere to go to have someone fix it. My
choice of equipment would be different today if I had known the right
questions to ask or heard others speak frankly about their real-life
experiences.

As far as cruising is concerned, I love it. If you look at my web site
you'll find extensive reports and photos on the majority of the
Caribbean. There are very few places that I dislike, but I'll tell you
about them and why I feel that way. If I like a place, I'll tell you
that too. I've posted lots of articles about places that I like.

The Dismal Swamp is of historical interest and still has some lovely
undeveloped spots. The Pasquotank River is one of the prettiest &
wildest places left along the whole ICW.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

As far as the Dismal Swamp canal goes, I didn't have a great time going
through it. It was cold and rainy and we bumped into logs. Maybe on a
bright, sunny day with maybe a little bit more water we would have had a
different experience.

Oh, and as far as a controlling depth is concerned, it's my
understanding that the amount of water in the canal is highly seasonal.
There are times that it's closed due to a lack of water. I don't think
that anyone should expect 6'.

-- Geoff
www.geoffschultz.org