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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Wed Sep 05 2001 - 11:14:48 EDT
In a message dated 09/04/2001 2:14:04 PM Atlantic Daylight Time,
writes:
> If you were going to have one shot at the ICW, which route would you
> choose, and, more importantly, why?
I would go the Dismal Swamp route because I have never done it (and can never
do it with Bandersnatch), have heard it is wild and beautiful, and would love
to experience the warm welcome Elizabeth City gives to cruisers.
Besides, I might meet Pogo...
The Virginia Cut is OK. The lock is interesting and it takes so long that
there is time to meet other cruisers, but the waterway itself is ordinary.
If you go this route keep a sharp lookout for the ferry that crosses the ICW
about halfway across the sound on the way to Coinjock. We usually anchor in
the North River, a couple of miles before you get to the Albermarle. That's
about a 50 mile run from Norfolk.
If you are not in a hurry, Ocracoke is a delightful side trip. We stayed for
a week on our last northbound.
Beaufort NC has always been trouble for us because of our size and draft. We
have stopped there once anchoring in the entrance channel off Radio Island.
The last northbound we found a $10/night dock at a restaurant in Moorehead
City called the Sanitary Seafood Restaurant.
One stretch we never miss is the upper Waccamaw River which includes
Bucksport, SC. The area is a wildlife preserve and is pristine. Bucksport,
which consists of a small marina (with fuel), a restaurant and a general
store, all owned by a Mr. Legrand Weaver, a classic and delightful southern
gentleman. We have been there many times. The last northbound it was such a
joy we stayed two weeks. If you stop there be sure to buy a generous stock
of his sausage, put up by one of the local women, and some Bleinhiem ginger
ale (we like the Hot version). This stuff has proven itself to be an
effective remedy for seasickness, as well as being a fine mixer for Bourbon.
A half day after Bucksport is Georgetown, a historic town we always enjoy.
The sailor's watering hole is the "Yacht Club". Ask around to find it. It's
adjacent to the first dock that could be called a dinghy dock. Actually all
the docks are dinghy docks, just tie on the inside.
A day farther south is Charleston, a grand old southern lady. Don't use the
dinghy dock, it is dry at low water and you will be stuck on the land. Land
your dinghy at the dock office or tuck in between two docked boats somewhere
and tie fore and aft so your dinghy will not bump a boat.
We then go offshore to either Mayport (the port for Jacksonville FL) or St
Augustine depending on the arrival swell and tide (St Augustine entrance is
shallow for us). We did stop at Savannah once and enjoyed it, but that was
before we found out that the State of Georgia has made it illegal to live
aboard a boat in their state. Georgia Sucks. (That's why the St Johns River
flows north.)
Fernandina, another historic town just after the FL border, is a nice stop.
It has a deep, safe, entrance (but keep a sharp lookout for submarines). They
are cruiser friendly with a dingy dock that has a unique and refreshing
pricing policy ranging from free for a few hours, to a nominal charge for
overnight and/or use of the shower and laundry facilities.
If you want to stop in Mayport there is a large, relatively shallow (around
15 - 20 feet) area outside the channel west of the CG Base on the north side
of the river. We have anchored there and dingied in to Singleton's, a
wonderful funky seafood restaurant (with rickety dock) just west of the ferry
landing on the south side of the river. We always dine on the porch
overlooking the water.
If you intend on entering St Augustine from the sea and your boat has a draft
of 6 feet or more be aware the real channel lies south of the seawardmost set
of buoys, then goes back to between the bouys.
N29°54.7895' W081°16.3104' BETWEEN R4 AND G5
N29°54.7020' W081°15.7877' SW OF G3
N29°54.6505' W081°15.7149' S OF G3
N29°54.6405' W081°15.5746' SE OF G3
N29°54.8890' W081°15.3036' ST AUGUSTINE SEABUOY
Norm
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