We are currently on our way from Beaufort, NC to S Fla. So far, the
worst spots we have encountered were in NC. We had been led to believe
that the ICW in NC was the best maintained part of the waterway.
Actually, we found fewer problems in SC--much deeper water and better
marked than in NC. We draw 4.5 feet andreally have had few problems
anywhere--Shallotte Inlet in NC was the worst spot--depths at 5 feet an
hour before low tide. Dredging is in progress there. Read the cruising
guides--go to Salty Southeast website and Skipper Bob website for
current info.

Peter
s/v Now or Never!
tt wrote:
Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the current condition of the
intercoastal waterway from the Cheasapeake Bay to Central Florida. .I
would like to plan a late spring or early summer trip from myrtle beach
either north or south depending on conditions. Small ( 19ft. )shallow
draft centerboard sloop.

"Peter" wrote
We are currently on our way from Beaufort, NC to S Fla. So far, the
worst spots we have encountered were in NC. We had been led to believe
that the ICW in NC was the best maintained part of the waterway.
Actually, we found fewer problems in SC--much deeper water and better
marked than in NC. We draw 4.5 feet andreally have had few problems
anywhere--Shallotte Inlet in NC was the worst spot--depths at 5 feet an
hour before low tide. Dredging is in progress there. Read the cruising
guides--go to Salty Southeast website and Skipper Bob website for
current info.

Are you going to stay in the ditch through Georgia? I would be real
interested in what you find. Things don't look real good behind Jekyll
right now and the COE only has enough money to keep one guy watching it fill
in.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote

Are you going to stay in the ditch through Georgia? I would be real
interested in what you find. Things don't look real good behind Jekyll
right now and the COE only has enough money to keep one guy watching it
fill
in.


We went as far as St Catherines Sound before heading out to sea, but ICW was
good up until then.

One thing original poster should bear in mind, is that this is not really a
"ditch" all the way - There are large bodies of open water that must be
crossed. Albemarle Sound, Pamlico Sound and the Neuse river in North
Carolina can be rough as can Calibogue sound.

Another thing to check, is the distance between marinas or towns where fuel,
ice and supplies can be purchased. Only so much carrying capacity on a 19'
boat and the outboard will use quite a bit of fuel.

I am sure the trip is doable, but it will need some careful planning.

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in news:rfMqh.18669$sE7.2584
@newsfe21.lga:

Actually, we found fewer problems in SC--much deeper water and better
marked than in NC.

For the return trip, make a note that under the Ben Sawyer bridge that
connects America to Sullivan's Island, north of Charleston Harbor, stay to
the MAINLAND side of the support post. The island side of the post is very
shallow and all filled in, so shallow at low tide outboard motors kick up.

South of the intersection of Stono River and the ICW, down to below the new
high bridge connecting America to John's Island, where the ICW flattens out
into a broad area just south of Stono River, the wide section has shifting
bars that are not all along the shores as the current slows in this area.
It used to be lots deeper, but that's no longer the case. Where the bends
are as it narrows to approach the last bridge on the south end of John's
Island, be watchful of shifting sand bars there, too.

I encountered one of these new bars about a mile S of the Stono
intersection when taking Stray Dog, my friend's Endeavour 35 to the
boatyard down there for her final motor to the survey...our final trip
aboard as she sold straight away. We'll get his new Jenneau 41 in May from
her cheap berth in Miami...(c;

Ah, another handheld GPS delivery in a boat stripped by her previous
owner...

Larry
--
Extremely intelligent life exists that is so smart they never called Earth.