How far per day on the ICW?

[AllanS]

Hi, my wife and I are cruising south from CT to FL starting mid-October. I have cruised south to the Chesapeake a couple times, and I think I have our overnight stops planned well to Norfolk.

Going south on the ICW from Norfolk, about how many NM should one realistically average per day, assuming a cruise speed of around 8 knots and about 6-7 hours per day? I'm not in a hurry, and I will, of course, adjust my daily plans according to the weather, tides, and preferred marinas/anchorages. Thanks!

 

[ttmott]

Your plan says 50 miles per day max.

 

[FootballFan]

The part out of your control is the lock and bridge at Great Bridge. Lot of backups there the last several months. After that it’s a function of how fast you want to travel.

 

[Skybolt]

The part out of your control is the lock and bridge at Great Bridge. Lot of backups there the last several months. After that it’s a function of how fast you want to travel.

To @FootballFan point, the lock may still be under maintenance construction. I would call to find out availability. They say in that article to possibly use Dismal Swamp canal. Now sure that would save you anything. Great trip if your not in a hurry though, much history through there.

_Content - MSIB 153-23 Great Bridge Lock -U.S. Army...

homeport.uscg.mil

 

[b_arrington]

If you're on Facebook, might want to join the Bob 423 ICW Cruising Guide group. Various ICW discussions. Most importantly, the guy who made the group maintains an updated set of ICW tracks that can be downloaded to several types of nav systems. He collaborates with the Army Corp of Engineers to update the tracks/maps very quickly - often the best Bob track is outside the channels.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ICWCruisingGuide

Recently I read about boats bumping stuff in the Dismal. IDK if it was from deep draft, low water, or going to fast.

 

[FootballFan]

I have downloaded and used bob423 tracks in the past, they have been invaluable. I didn't attempt to take them all the way to the chartplotter, just used my ipad to follow along.

With the incorporation of CoE survey data into tools such as Aquamaps - good input for navigating the ICW.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

I learned about AQUAMAPS at AGLCA's LOOPERPALOOZA this year.

GREAT TOOL to have onboard when out of familiar waters.

BEST !

RWS

 

[FootballFan]

I learned about AQUAMAPS at AGLCA's LOOPERPALOOZA this year.

GREAT TOOL to have onboard when out of familiar waters.

BEST !

RWS

Many years ago... before AquaMap had even come out in the market.

I had read about the survey data somewhere on the internet. I actually sat in my office, downloaded pdf's, printed them and put them in a binder I carried with me on the boat.

 

[Richard Carlisle]

Bob423 tracks have been a huge help. We are heading north as we speak. We are in Southport, NC right now. We are doing about 50 miles a day, five or take. Some areas are very shallow so better to hit them at high tide, so I’ll adjust the schedule accordingly.

where exactly is the lock and bridge at great bridge. We are headed that way. Probably should make a few calls.

OK, so according to this, they are locking every 2 hours, but this seems like old data.

https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Medi...2730/great-bridge-locks-on-adjusted-schedule/

 

[AllanS]

Yeah, there don’t appear to be any Waterway Guide warnings about the GB lock, so hopefully that’s a non-issue.
YES! I’ve downloaded all Bob423 tracks and updating the most recent ones for Aquamap. There are a great help!

 

[Richard Carlisle]

Yeah, there don’t appear to be any Waterway Guide warnings about the GB lock, so hopefully that’s a non-issue.
YES! I’ve downloaded all Bob423 tracks and updating the most recent ones for Aquamap. There are a great help!

Hoping. I really don’t want to do the swamp.

 

[AllanS]

What is your draft, Richard? Mine can make it through 3’ if I go slow.