HELP! Boating On The ICW

[LuvBoating]

Guess what I need is some ENCOURAGING words so as to get rid of my fear of putting our boat on our local ICW again! Was on the ICW in Daytona Beach in May 2010 (our boat) with a couple that have a home and lots of boating experience on that ICW there. It was both fun and scary for me. Unfortunately, nowadays, that couple head to Michigan (their other home) in May for the summer.

We both have been thru two CGA Boating Classes and done fine. Just so many navigational things to follow on the ICW!

We didn't have all of this navigational stuff on the lakes we went on in eastern Colorado/Denver area, when living there. Boating there was so easy!

So........what do I do????

Suggestions/Encouragement..........whatever will help me, please give it.

Wife REALLY, REALLY wants to go out on the ICW here in Jax this year and head for St Augustine.

Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Man up and do it! You have talked the talk (taken the courses) now walk the walk! If, as I suspect, your boat is larger than a tin boat with tiller engine, you will be OK.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

what, exactly, are you afraid of? The ICW is tame and civilized compared to open and uncharted waters everywhere else. Except the stretch on the seaside of the Eastern Shore (Virginia).

I can look out my office window and see the mid-point. No pirates, seamonsters, tidal bores, whirlpools, sirens or clashing rocks in sight. Just keep your distance from the Navy vessels and you won't get shot at.

what size boat do you have and what type of trip are you looking to do?

it's not that complicated as long as you don't over-think it. Probably a lot easier than I-95.

 

[agallant80]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Look on the bright side. If something happens out there you can tell her it was her idea not yours. But for real its not that scairry. Just make sure your seatow is up to day and paid

 

[The Rooster]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Man up and do it! You have talked the talk (taken the courses) now walk the walk! If, as I suspect, your boat is larger than a tin boat with tiller engine, you will be OK.

Damn, that's a little rough "Frank" Exactly what kind of boat are we talking about, "Luv" ?

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Yea, I thought "Frank" was a little ROUGH as well........but, then again that may just the way he is (don't know).
Anyway, the boat is a 20' 1992 Celebrity 200 Cuddy Cabin in pretty darn good shape for being a '92. The mechanic that done some maintanence work on our boat a month ago told me that. We now have a dual-battery setup and new short block on the engine. We also have both SeaTow and Allstate boat insurance.

So, just what am I afraid of.........a ride down the ICW here w/o anyone with us that has done it for numerous years. We don't intend on going out of the ICW and into the Atlantic at all, but did do that in 2010 in Daytona. The water was pretty rough that day, but the couple that were with us wanted to go out a little ways and we did. I wasn't driving the boat at the time, the husband of my wife's girlfriend was. The waves were rocking our boat pretty good and I got somewhat scared and wanted to get back into the ICW, which we did. And, on top of that, I spent some years in the Navy back in the late 60's and early 70's! But, that was a SHIP and this is a little 20' cuddy cabin!

Going onto the ICW would definitely be an adventure for both of us, but, as "Frank" says, I guess I really need to MAN UP and DO IT. Hummmmm, now, is that really something that a 64 year old man should do??????????

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Make sure you have a good chart, and have somebody you trust go over it with you before you head out (using a red and green sharpie for confusing buoys). The "intersections" of the inlets and ICW are the most confusing parts for boaters, and remember when you are parallel to the shore "red right return" means nothing!

Start off slow, DON"T go through the inlets, and you should be fine.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Lies, all lies. The are pirates and sea monsters. it is a conspiracy to keep it a secret.

 

[V153]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

You're worried about running on the intracoastal in FL? Really?! Be sure to keep between the prevalent red'n green thingys and y'all'll do just fine ...

 

[IllesheimVet]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Usually, especially in the rivers, the deeper water is on the outside of the bends (don't start "cutting the corners" or "shortcuts). Follow the markers, (GPS is a Godsend). Keep in mind that some markers may be missing. Up here, north of Brunswick, (Ga.) there are some real shallow areas on the ICW at low tide.

 

[tazrig]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Nothing to be "scared" of but having a healthy respect for unfamiliar areas is a good thing. It will keep you alive longer. Just 2 pieces of advice for you here:

1) Take a specific course in Navigation. CGA boating classes are fine and a good first step but they only touch on what you need to know about navigating in unfamiliar waters.

2) As you will learn in whatever course(s) on navigation you take. When going into unfamiliar areas plot out your course first (on paper charts) so you know where you're going and what to expect.

Do this and you should be fine.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Check out where your going on google earth. There is reason for concern, lots of oyster beds and google earth shows them better than charts do. Avoid shortcuts as stated above. They don't work!

Enjoy it! Most of all. Lots of pretty water around St Augustine, cool restaurants/bars in Daytona/Ponce Inlet, Disappearing island.

Oh and a great way to meet other boaters os our get togethers. The next one in June is in the panhandle, thread in activities section.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Didn't mean to come across as rough. He has taken the courses and done his homework. Now it is time to do it. We all can sit and quiver at something or we can bite the bullet. We have nothing to fear but fear itself--Roosevelt.

When I was young I took a 15 footer up the Hudson from New York City, through Lake Champlain and the canals, and up the St Lawrence Seaway to Montreal. Most times I slept on board. I did it twice: Once alone and the second time with my new wife.

Before I did it, I took the USCG Aux. course. Yeah, there was some rough water and yeah, I did have a few worrisome moments, but overall it was glorious and a trip I will always remember.

So again, just do it! You will never regret it. You WILL regret not having tried.

 

[BIGALF]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

No problem on the ICW that I can see. I'm usually out there 1 or 2 times a month. I can't wait for it to get a little warmer so I can drop the boat in at ramp in Daytona Beach or further south in Edgewater. Usually Sunday's is my choice for boating. Look me up someday Just call Miss B. Havin or waive me down.
I'm always looking for a boating partner. If you want to go to Saint Augustine we can follow each other and make a day of it.
I have been boating for some time and I'm 69 and feel like a kid behind the wheel.

 

[arks]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

So, just what am I afraid of.........a ride down the ICW here w/o anyone with us that has done it for numerous years............

Alright, so you're apprehensive about setting off by yourselves. Fair enough and IMO perfectly natural. Sounds like you've got a capable boat and you've taken good care of it.
I'd suggest these 4 things:
1- install a depth sounder, VHF radio, and GPS.
2- get nautical charts of the area you want to explore.
3- ask around and hire an experienced (licensed) captain for a day or two for familiarization of the area , how to operate your boat -or direct you- and show what's right and what's not. The experience will help remove anxiety and give you the confidence you need to go solo.
4- before going on a trip, subscribe to a towing service like Towboat/US or Seatow.

Short story- I've owned boats for 40 years and bought my current 34 footer without any prior hands-on twin-engine experience. It was 450 miles from my homeport. I considered having it transported by land but ended up hiring a captain and running it with him up the ICW. It was one of my best decisions ever because I learned so much and had the option of 'handing-off' if I felt uncomfortable (which only happened once BTW).

Going onto the ICW would definitely be an adventure for both of us, but, as "Frank" says, I guess I really need to MAN UP and DO IT. Hummmmm, now, is that really something that a 64 year old man should do??????????

ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT!

 

[sasto]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Been traveling the ICW for several years. Sitting there as I type. There are 2 good sources of info not given yet. The ICW is forever changing...as does the tides and currents. Get Skipper Bob's publication at www.skipperbob.net and join www.activecaptain.com.

Good Luck!

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

We would love to meet you folks some time!

I'll be 64 in June and my wife is now 65. Before moving here in '09, all of our boating experience was on freshwater lakes. When I was a teen, I would spend some summer weekends w/my cousins and we would go with their dad on Sundays to a nearby reservoir. He had a ski boat. After that, I spent most of my Navy years on a ship. When my wife was a teen, her mom/dad had a cottage and two ski boats on Zukey Lake in Pinckney, Michigan.

When I let her take over the steering wheel and throttle.........HANG ON, she loves to fly thru the water. Not really fast, but fast enough.

Our boat's name is "Fun In The Sun".

BTY, you folks have one very nice looking boat there!

No problem on the ICW that I can see. I'm usually out there 1 or 2 times a month. I can't wait for it to get a little warmer so I can drop the boat in at ramp in Daytona Beach or further south in Edgewater. Usually Sunday's is my choice for boating. Look me up someday Just call Miss B. Havin or waive me down.
I'm always looking for a boating partner. If you want to go to Saint Augustine we can follow each other and make a day of it.
I have been boating for some time and I'm 69 and feel like a kid behind the wheel.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Use google earth,maps ,satelite to walk your self thru .It will get easier with time as you will become familiar and print out yourself copies and laminate your travels with pics we hope .

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Just joined ActiveCaptain...........very interesting/informative! THANKS!

Been traveling the ICW for several years. Sitting there as I type. There are 2 good sources of info not given yet. The ICW is forever changing...as does the tides and currents. Get Skipper Bob's publication at www.skipperbob.net and join www.activecaptain.com.

Good Luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: HELP! Boating On The ICW

Yea, I thought "Frank" was a little ROUGH as well........but, then again that may just the way he is (don't know).
.... Going onto the ICW would definitely be an adventure for both of us, but, as "Frank" says, I guess I really need to MAN UP and DO IT. Hummmmm, now, is that really something that a 64 year old man should do??????????

Seriously? Frank was quite restrained. You're 64. That's what the ICW is full of (except you will be one of the young ones). It's for retired couples to motor around in. Don't be a baby.

There are some places that are not very well maintained but for a boat your size, no problem pushing off if you bump bottom. The wide open bays (we call them sounds) can be tricky when its windy, and they can be deceivingly shallow, but stick to the markers, follow someone, and don't sweat it. Anyway in your boat you won't be in any danger even if you do get caught in some wind (and I can tell you won't go out in the first place if it's blowing).

Here's a tip: crabbers set crab pots in the naturally deeper areas so they can mark "channels." And because they are 18-24" tall, if you can't see the tops you know you have at least that much water. Pass downwind of the floats b/c the linies are upwind.

And don't be scared when the boat is "rocking." it's what boats do. Get yours out in some rough weather to learn what it, and you, can do. With experience you will gain confidence; you won't get it whimpering at a computer screen.

One morning early I was out on my pier checking the crab traps and this guy comes motoring around in about a 30' old cruiser; he was over some shallow water for that boat and heading up a dead-end river (our rivers are estuaries) so he came over and we chatted. He was about 70, from Maryland, just retired and plunked his money into this boat, and was just heading south down the ICW and exploring any creek or bypass he found interesting, all the time in the world. He admitted he didn't know much about what he was doing and appreciated the native advice I gave him--but he had made it down the middle of the Chesapeake Bay just fine. The thing is, as long as you aren't reckless or oblivious, you really can't get hurt in the ICW. And the Lord looks out for fools and drunkards.