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| Originally Posted by NYCAP123 For the few boats that don't monitor their radios on the ICW a gentle sound signal always works. The killer sections of the ICW for anything more than an express are around Carolina Beach (There's also some bad shoals in that area) and from Southport through the pontoon bridge. Too many docks to damage forcing you to run at about 4 kts. Unless it's a pleasure cruise outside from Beaufort to Charleston is the way to go (weather permitting) as it saves a day. Same for the shot from Charleston to St. Augustine or Mayport. This year's been blowing up though. |
I perfer to take the outside as it is quicker if it's in a fast boat, however almost always run the ICW from Beaufort to Norfolk as it's shorter or if the boat is slower then 14 knots I take the ICW all of the way. From Beaufort North to Coinjock, I avoid the ICW and run albermarle sound, it's much deeper, wide, and you can run at cruise the entire section of it and cut back into the ICW just south of Coinjock. It's wide enough and all deep to run a 1/2 mile off to the side of another vessel at cruise and not bother them without having to slow down, there are two bridges at the Northern end where you have to wait for them to open but they're fairly tall if I remember correctly 24' + and they open on demand. It cuts out A LOT of time, and I've made it from Beaufort to Norfolk in one day leaving at 7am, and being courteous in a 58' Searay SB (25 knot cruise). I've been bypassing Charleston and stopping at Georgetown lately, there is a great marina by the bridge there, cheap fuel prices, good restaurant, it's a little further in 17nm instead of 11 or 13nm into Charleston but you can run all the way in and it's deep. I've also been stopping at Golden Isles if I can make it further then St. Aug, or Fernandina.....it's a nice easy stop.
There are several spots that shoal in Georgia that you have to be careful of as well and that 6' spot is called the Devil's Triangle or something if I remember correctly.