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Old 01-28-2016, 05:53 AM   #1
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Finally Heading South

Well it's January 28th and I'm finally South bound. Left Crisfield, MD this morning at 2am. You know it's time to head South when it's 22 degrees outside, calm winds, and the ice slurry is forming around you boat in the slip. Last of the significant problems were resolved Tuesday and is time to head for a warmer climate. Currently heading down Chesapeake Bay with the current making 7.6 knots.

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Not much to see outside. Pilothouse is nice and warm. 8 knots of wind out of ENE with <1' seas. Nice conditions to start the trip. Should be at Top Rack in Norfolk, VA by 2pm to take on fuel. Then it's into the Dismal Swamp.

Ted
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Old 01-28-2016, 05:57 AM   #2
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Enjoy!


Hope that bus heater system is working great!!!!
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Old 01-28-2016, 06:06 AM   #3
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Have a safe and enjoyable trip OC!
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Old 01-28-2016, 07:13 AM   #4
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Have a great trip. BTW, you can stay the night at no charge at Top Rack if you have dinner in their restaurant.
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Old 01-28-2016, 07:18 AM   #5
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Have a great time. Nice looking helm!

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Old 01-28-2016, 09:44 AM   #6
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I hope you enjoy your trip but I'm curious why you would leave at 2:00 AM.
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Old 01-28-2016, 09:51 AM   #7
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Sneak out before paying the yard bill....

or catch the tide, or weather, or refuel and still make a specific lock opening at Deep Creek (Dismal Swamp Route) or refuel/do chores/kickback for happy hour/enjoy early dinner for another big day tomorrow threading the Dismal, or miss train traffic as they are the only lower bridges prior to the DS Route..... but I am still betting on my first thought...
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:07 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WesK View Post
I hope you enjoy your trip but I'm curious why you would leave at 2:00 AM.
Maybe cuz he can! Have a great safe trip, enjoy that new boat!
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:24 AM   #9
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My friend left Virginia Beach on Monday heading to Fla. He said that there is a lot of Debris and Logs in the Waterway currently so "Heads Up". Have a great trip.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:33 AM   #10
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Greetings,
Why 02:00 hrs? Maybe Mr. OC was too excited to sleep. I probably would be.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:41 AM   #11
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Get started, put it on autopilot and catch a couple hour nap.


The approaches into Norfolk are never too busy, plus the bright searchlights and warning shots wake you right up if you need to do something important...
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:41 AM   #12
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And my question was "Why dismal swamp?"
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:44 AM   #13
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Have a great trip Ted. Please keep us posted with postings and pictures. For those of us on the west coast the ICW is a curiosity.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:44 AM   #14
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Greetings,
Mr. BB. Why the Dismal Swamp route? So he can stay at Lamb's Marina and dine in their new restaurant of course.
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The prime rib at the restaurant is FAR superior to that which is served in Coinjock and they should have fresh, in the shell, oysters in stock at the store.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:48 AM   #15
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Cant answer for him but I prefer it as you have many options to stop and tie up and get out and walk around. Though the Virginia Cut route you can anchor.


Plus for slower boats...it can be blowing storm force and the Dismal is like a mill pond...the worst wave action I have had in 10,000 miles was on a windy day in Currituck sound...never a bad day in the swamp route.


Coinjock after the first visit was enough.


Not great for bigger or faster boats, but has become my route over the Virginia Cut route.
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:20 AM   #16
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Coinjock after the first visit was enough.

.
Coinjock is a decent stop but those who are fanatical about the restaurant there, I don't agree with. Quantity yes. Quality, nothing to get excited about.
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Old 01-28-2016, 03:08 PM   #17
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Agree, ref Coinjock... and quality/quantity. They were friendly, though, and the fuel prices were decent... so all that plus a big, honkin' slab o' decent-enough meat suited us the time we went through there.


Haven't taken the Dismal. Our air clearance is 29' due to the 'riggers... Any problems with overhanging trees on that route?


If we were to go south in Fall and then return north in Spring, and wanted to take one route down and the other route back, which is better (Virgina or Dismal) in Fall and Spring? If there's any difference... ?


Wasn't overwhelmed with marine facilities immediately near Elizabeth City when we did a drive-by (shopping for a building lot) a few years ago, although the town has always had a friendly reputation, and still does as far as I know.


Lamb's is good, huh?


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Old 01-28-2016, 03:14 PM   #18
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Ted, the clock is running. You have 19 days to get to Fort Pierce. Don't dawdle.
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Old 01-28-2016, 03:16 PM   #19
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I always understood that the Virginia cut was deeper. With 6 ft draft, we've always gone that way or around the outside.

WesK - i'm sure OC will chime in and tell you exactly why he left at 2am, but we we leave at odd hours frequently when making longer legs. I want to arrive in daylight and preferably a bit before slack tide. If that means leaving at 2am or 4 am...
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Old 01-28-2016, 03:36 PM   #20
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Agree, ref Coinjock... and quality/quantity. They were friendly, though, and the fuel prices were decent... so all that plus a big, honkin' slab o' decent-enough meat suited us the time we went through there.


Haven't taken the Dismal. Our air clearance is 29' due to the 'riggers... Any problems with overhanging trees on that route?


If we were to go south in Fall and then return north in Spring, and wanted to take one route down and the other route back, which is better (Virgina or Dismal) in Fall and Spring? If there's any difference... ?


Wasn't overwhelmed with marine facilities immediately near Elizabeth City when we did a drive-by (shopping for a building lot) a few years ago, although the town has always had a friendly reputation, and still does as far as I know.


Lamb's is good, huh?


-Chris
Sailboats do it all the time...I usually do it with very little traffic so there is almost never anyone coming the other way or passing requiring moving to the side. So no, your riggers shouldn't be a problem but you DO have to pay close attention for 20+ miles. It is slow speed though, so paying attention is critical but reaction time less so.

It is shallow and if you draw more than 5-6 feet...better to go around than sweat it. I think the controlling depth is 7 feet but would have to recheck.

The distances are close.

Not sure what facilities are better one way or the other. In the spring, E-City makes a bigger deal of transients and has a nice, free watermans museum across the street from the free docks.

If you think you can...each way once in a lifetime...only personal preference will decide which is better or even routinely doable.

After 6-8 Dismal trips..almost want to do the other just for change.
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