On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:30:29 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

Boring as the ICW is, I will not jump out north of Beaufort, NC because
I respect Hattarass's rep too well, have heard too many friends'
personal stories.

I couldn't agree more regarding Hatteras but I believe (perhaps
incorrectly), that Skip has a bridge clearance issue with his mast
height. If your mast is over 64 ft, not uncommon with a 46 footer,
there is no choice but to go outside or unstep the rig. I'm seeing a
weather window off the NJ coast and Delmarva Penninsula that should be
sufficient to reach Norfolk, VA. After that it's anyone's guess.

On 2008-10-01 21:14:12 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:30:29 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

Boring as the ICW is, I will not jump out north of Beaufort, NC because
I respect Hattarass's rep too well, have heard too many friends'
personal stories.

I couldn't agree more regarding Hatteras but I believe (perhaps
incorrectly), that Skip has a bridge clearance issue with his mast
height. If your mast is over 64 ft, not uncommon with a 46 footer,
there is no choice but to go outside or unstep the rig.

Flying Pig has already traversed the area, so that's not a problem for them.

Those who have been there will recognize that monster steak Skip
reported on the Virginia Cut. (Coinjock?)

I'm seeing a weather window off the NJ coast and Delmarva Penninsula
that should be sufficient to reach Norfolk, VA. After that it's
anyone's guess.

That is exactly what I've been saying as an admitted Chicken Little.
Hatarass is a crap-shoot at the best of times.

I will admit to trying to "push" them towards the Chesapeake because
I'd love to see the result of their meeting my lovely lady Pat, and
that's likely only in the upper Bay.

As I write, FP's 24th Spot position put them abreast of Monmouth Beach,
a few miles south of their anchorage though (finally) in the Atlantic.

'Tis a pretty fair distance from there to the decision-point at Cape
May even with the westerly or northerly winds I see forecast.

We'll see which course they take from there in a dozen or two hours.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:45:02 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

Flying Pig has already traversed the area, so that's not a problem for them.

Those who have been there will recognize that monster steak Skip
reported on the Virginia Cut. (Coinjock?)


Good point, I'd forgotten about that. Actually it's prime ribs at the
Coinjock Marina, and the reputation is well deserved. I've never had
better and never been disappointed. We were there 3 times last year,
once going north, again going south, and the last time by car while we
were waiting for engine work at Manteo.


'Tis a pretty fair distance from there to the decision-point at Cape
May even with the westerly or northerly winds I see forecast.

We'll see which course they take from there in a dozen or two hours.

I wouldn't bet a nickel on them going through the Chesapeake after the
big build up we've heard. That's one problem with a too public
announcement of plans.

the pond

On 2008-10-01 22:02:21 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:45:02 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

'Tis a pretty fair distance from [where they are] to the decision-point
at Cape May even with the westerly or northerly winds I see forecast.

We'll see which course they take from there in a dozen or two hours.

I wouldn't bet a nickel on them going through the Chesapeake after the
big build up we've heard. That's one problem with a too public
announcement of plans.

That's one reason I keep on pointing out alternatives and reasons why not ;-)

They are CRUISERS! Changes of plan are expected from cruisers. Plans
are suggestions, not the rule to cruisers. That things didn't work out
as planned a trivial problem, as they're cruising.

Stuff happens, Momma disagrees with their plans. Don't cross Momma if
you value your life.

So what if Mum (as delightful an individual as you'll meet) meets them
wherever they are rather wherever they planned?

I dare say Mum is more interested in being with them than where she
catches up with them.

Mum hasn't seen much of the ICW yet, and that's a magical place.
Florida is boring when directly compared.

And given FP's current position, the current weather, and the schedule
I recall, FP could comfortably duck into the Chesapeake and sail/motor
to Beaufort NC and south while maintaining their schedule.

I really, really don't want my friends challenging Hatteras during its
most unpredictable season.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:18:36 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

Mum hasn't seen much of the ICW yet, and that's a magical place.
Florida is boring when directly compared.


We've done almost all of the Atlantic ICW, and while I'd agree that
there are some great places along the way, I would not trade for
Florida.

How much Florida boating have you done ? There are countless miles
here of the greatest and most diverse boating you could imagine.


I really, really don't want my friends challenging Hatteras during its
most unpredictable season.

We'll see.

On 2008-10-02 02:34:26 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:18:36 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

Mum hasn't seen much of the ICW yet, and that's a magical place.
Florida is boring when directly compared.

We've done almost all of the Atlantic ICW, and while I'd agree that
there are some great places along the way, I would not trade for
Florida.

How much Florida boating have you done ? There are countless miles
here of the greatest and most diverse boating you could imagine.

Hmmm. This could be a bit of factor of what type of cruising each of us likes.

I tend towards wild areas that could be what the original explorers
saw. Pat likes to see the pretty houses along the shore, sometimes
likes to visit the historical structures accessible from some
anchorages, but of late she has easily been overloaded and asks to get
away from the modernity.

The stories I've heard of the ICW in FL don't sound real fun with all
those bridges. Sailing down the shoreline gets boring fast, too.
Biscayne Bay was pretty cool, though.


--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:16:55 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

The stories I've heard of the ICW in FL don't sound real fun with all
those bridges. Sailing down the shoreline gets boring fast, too.
Biscayne Bay was pretty cool, though.

The bridges on the Florida (Atlantic) ICW don't get to be a real
problem until south of Palm Beach. Prior to that bridges are
relatively few in number and open on reasonable schedules. There is
also some nice scenery in open spaces along the way, as well as many
areas developed with beautiful homes. It's a mixed bag. Going
outside along the beach can be interesting enough as long as you stay
close in. I prefer less than 400 yards weather permitting.

From Palm Beach south on the ICW you are going through major
population centers. The ICW is dotted with the mega-mansions of the
global rich and famous. It is scenic enough in that respect but
there are lots of bridges, and most are on restricted schedules. The
preferred route south to Miami is outside along the beach.

After Miami lies Biscayne Bay and the Keys, both rich with scenery
and cruising opportunities, too numerous to describe. Suffice to say,
a lot of people have cruised to the Keys and forgotten to leave.

Going back north on the west side of FL you enter the waters of
Everglades Park, one of the truly great wilderness areas of the
country. During January and February you can cruise many miles back
into the interior and see no signs of civilization at all. Nada.
This area is a great test of ability to fend for yourself because you
are out of cell phone and VHF range with the world. The only
communications are via HF/SSB radio or sat phone. If you need SeaTow
they will have to come 40 miles north from the Keys or 60 miles south
from Everglades City. They will charge you dearly even if a member.
If not a member, re-mortgage your house. On the Everglades coast
there are miles of beautiful, totally deserted beaches, typically with
nary a soul within miles. There are a few places where beach camping
is approved but with a little discretion you could camp anywhere.

Going further north up the west coast you come to the Ten Thousand
Islands area, Everglades City, Marco Island, Naples, Ft Myers Beach,
the Okeechobee Waterway, Sanibel Island, Captiva(s), Cayo Costa, Boca
Grande, etc. - some of the finest cruising you could imagine but I
can't talk about it in a public forum. :-)

We have not yet cruised the Panhandle and its ICW but the reports we
get are excellent.

Lest I forget, from the east coast of FL it is an easy one or two day
sail over to the Bahamas and a whole other cruising paradise that
attracts boats and people from all over the world.