Winter ICW Trip - Annapolis to Tampa

I have not made that trip this time of year but I only see two or three issues. First is keeping yourselves warm and I assume you're well prepared for that. Now I also assume you'll be keeping the engine and all liquids adequately warm. Second is just dealing with the shorter days which are under 10 hours and can be made shorter by morning fog. We enjoy warm weather most but we never let cold stop us from enjoying the water. Now we obviously don't live on the Great Lakes.

At least for the early portion of your trip, call ahead to verify fuel availability.

Happy New Years and safe travels. Keep us up on your adventure. Don't forget lots of pictures,,, We like to watch..
,rc

I haven't done Florida's west coast, but I've transported a few boats south in January. It's lonely (as in don't expect help in a hurry), and traffic light, but there will be a few boats out there with you. Other than that and the weather being much worse this time of year there are no real problems. I've never had trouble finding fuel or mechanical help, but I recommend not fueling at backwater marinas as their fuel may have been sitting since September. Be sure to check Dial-A-Buoy before venturing to the outside as the ocean tends to kick up a lot in winter. Although Masonborough is an OK inlet, the only inlets I recommend between Beaufort & Charleston are Cape Fear & Georgetown. So plan accordingly. Also, keep the sorter days in mund when planning your day's run. Marina staffs will be minimal, and may well close up before 1600. Although advance reservations shouldn't be necessary, do call earlier in the day to confirm when they plan to close up.

Although I've encountered serious ice on the boats and docks throughout the Carolinas, I've never seen more than skim ice on the water.

Check Cruisersnet for the latest on shoaling, and remember the Rock Pile down by Myrtle Beach.

One thing to be prepared for though is that many of the marinas may have their fresh water shut off. So conserve your tank. All Bathroom facilities should be operational, but the rooms may be a wee bit chilly.

I like Tidewater in Norfolk, although I was disappointed with their restaurant last time, but there's some good places in Porstsmouth a few blocks away. The run to Beaufort is easy enough, but I'd think about a stop at Coinjock, as that's the longest / slowest 50 miles on the coast due to timing the bridges and lock. If you end up running the inside from Beaufort to Charleston I'd recommend a stop in Georgetown. Again for both, keeping in mind the short days.

P.S. Generally good fuel prices at Tidewater and Coinjock, and great steaks at Coinjock

I think you might want to tone your daily runs down a little. Long days of summer, runs of roughly 180 and 230 nm aren't so bad. But this time of year, that's a challenge.

If you're taking the inside from Norfolk to Beautfort, it probably will be hard to do in the winter hours. I usually run the inside to just South of Coinjock and then run Pamlico sound to Adam's creek, you can run at cruise the entire way except for 2 tall bridges on the North end where you have to set it down for a minute just to go under them. I don't think you have the speed to make Beaufort in a day, but could stop in Oriental or Coinjock depending on timing and daylight.

Lake Okeechobee has lock hours of 7-7pm now.

With the low traffic at this time of year, it's probably faster (and certainly more scenic) to go the Alligator River route. Also, I've gotten my tail handed to me on the Pamlico Sound route down where it meets the Neuse River when winds are up.

Other than a few showers over the weekend it looks like you have nice weather for cruising. Enjoy your trip.
P.S. Love the burgers at Clawson's in Beaufort.

Oh my....Nycap and his love for hamburgers emerges.

Beaufort is filled with great restaurants. Front street is lined. Seafood at Front Street Grill, Aqua, The Spouter Inn, Old Salt, Queen Anne's. Good restaurants include Blue Moon which is incredible, Boardwalk, Beaufort Grocery, Blackbeard's, Ribeye's, Royal James and many more and that's before adding Morehead City to the picture. Even if choosing Clawson's, try the crab cakes or Mahi Mahi or a southern tradition I don't eat is Shrimp and Grits. Their ribeye isn't bad either. Or if hamburgers are your thing then go that route. But many of us want more than a hamburger, especially when passing through a prime fishing area with fresh seafood galore.

Or if you "get stuck" at Coinjack, you can try the 32 ounce prime rib if that's your fancy.

I can make a great burger right at home. I'm with Belle, when I travel through the Carolina's, I want seafood. Some things are amazing up there, crab cakes, shrimp, tuna, shrimp and grits, the seafood chowders......etc.....

If the wind isn't howling, I'd go Pamlico.....the Alligator river is where you get the nasty brown beard on the bow and hull that takes 1/2 a day to get off.......

I prefer Moorehead City over Beaufort, but both are good and both have great restaurants and sights to see.

[QUOTE=" The speed came to a screeching halt with our arrival at Norfolk and was slow idle the rest of the way. Today we are leaving at first light to make our way down to Beaufort.[/QUOTE]

Now you know why I suggested stopping at Coinjock if you'd held at Norfolk. From AYB Beaufort should be no sweat. Just below Great Bridge there's been a couple of bald eagles hanging around for years. Keep your eyes open for them.
You may want to make a fast fuel stop at Coinjock on your way. Good fuel prices, a high speed pump and a very fast in/out.

Now you know why I suggested stopping at Coinjock if you'd held at Norfolk. From AYB Beaufort should be no sweat. Just below Great Bridge there's been a couple of bald eagles hanging around for years. Keep your eyes open for them.
You may want to make a fast fuel stop at Coinjock on your way. Good fuel prices, a high speed pump and a very fast in/out.[/QUOTE]

I've found that Moorehead City Marina's fuel prices are generally $0.20-$0.30 a gallon cheaper than Coinjock the last several years.

Good to know. I've never stopped on that side. Although, if they're going to Beaufort, Coinjock or beaufort would make more sense than a seperate stop.