Does anyone know off hand how many bridges there are between Ft Lauderdale and Port Canaveral on the ICW? I have all the new Dozzier's coming from Amazon but could use that bit of trivia now. Also, is therte any insurmountyable restriction preventing navigation of a 6' draft, 19' height motoryacht up the Potomac to Washington DC?
You so want to stay outside at least to Ft. Pierce if at all possible between the bridges (about 40 in that Florida stretch, although several ar 65') and No Wake Zones. You should have no problem with draft. At 19' you'll be holding for quite a few bridges, especially at high tide.
http://www.icwfacilitiesguide.com/M...744FE78F1F9AA1CA88FEB6&nm=Bridge+Restrictions Check out Active Captain https://activecaptain.com/ and Cruisers Net http://cruisersnet.net/ for up to date info about the ICW and the facilities on it. Do you have an iPhone? There are apps for some of the guides as well as some nice weather and boating apps as well.
i agree on avoiding the stretch from FLL to St Lucie Inlet (there are no bridges or NWZ from St Lucie to Ft Pierce) unless you or your guests have never done it, then it's kind of interesting. once or twice i can't remember off hand how many bridges you'll have but most bridges are well synchronized so unless you cant' figure out basic math you really dont' have to wait anywhere. you'd be surprised how many time i've been passed by a guy only to find him waiting at the next bridge! it's mostly no or minimum wake zone all the way to jupiter except for a few stretches. When i run that stretch inside (70', 25' bridge clearance, 6 1/4 draft) I can do Miami - West Palm in a single day inside so FLL - St Lucie / Ft Pierce is fine in one day, then another day to Carnaveral. no navigation issues on that stretch, it's all nice and deep
Potomac River you will be able to get to the marinas in the Washington channel and Anacostia River at DC. you will not clear the railroad bridge to go to the Columbia Island marina by the Pentagon or up to Georgetown. it is a lovely trip of around 100 miles from the Chesapeake Bay to DC. Cherry blossoms will bloom the last week of March.
