About to start this voyage on the wave of a flood. Flew in to get my girl ready for the run and met a lingering pain in the butt. My condolence's to all those that lost their lives and their families. Here in little river, rain and some more rain. Now it's dodge the deadheads, currents from your dreams(nightmares), and the highest tides the locals have ever seen. When should I leave? A list of lost cans, lights, and signs along the aicw would require a website to list. Rivers are to peak Monday some 6 ft afs. the narrow stretches are now wide and tree tops are channel markers. Been all over the gulf in every condition over the last 40 years but no east coast. Outside looks great,like glass,but no one will leave the ditch. Suggestions.
About to run home Little river sc to Houston
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Agree with David - this is a crummy time to run the ICW. So who is it that won't go outside? This week's forecast looks terrific.
caltexflanc
Guru
The TowBoat US guys in Little River are very good. I'd give them a call and get advice on the inlet, which is very runnable. I wouldn't be surprised if the casino boat and commercial guys aren't back at it. One issue with off shore is I would want to be a bit further off than usual in some places, as all that stuff has and still is coming down the rivers and out to sea, though again the tow companies and the USCG are pretty good about advising conditions at each inlet. I also would be even more inclined not to run at night either. Lacking good information, my personal tendency would be to wait things out until a better picture emerged, so to speak.
Marlinmike
Guru
Outside for sure
We made the trip from Myrtle Beach to Georgetown yesterday and are now outside. Sea conditions outside Georgetown are now a good bit calmer at 3-5' following seas. By tomorrow 2' seas forecast. Charleston area already down to 3-4'. Same with Savannah with both forecast to drop to 2-3' by tomorrow. We are heading straight through to Fort Lauderdale. Plan to be home tomorrow night.
As mentioned, if you're thinking of pulling into an inlet such as Georgetown or Charleston, I'd check with a tow company and/or marinas. If I had enough persons on board to keep running and the range I'd probably select Hilton Head as a next stop or even the Savannah area and bypass Charleston, but getting some local reports might say different.
We had more trouble returning from Charlotte NC to Myrtle Beach than we anticipate running home from here. Obviously you have a significantly longer trip home than we do. However, once you get beyond South Carolina the world is pretty much normal again.
As mentioned, if you're thinking of pulling into an inlet such as Georgetown or Charleston, I'd check with a tow company and/or marinas. If I had enough persons on board to keep running and the range I'd probably select Hilton Head as a next stop or even the Savannah area and bypass Charleston, but getting some local reports might say different.
We had more trouble returning from Charlotte NC to Myrtle Beach than we anticipate running home from here. Obviously you have a significantly longer trip home than we do. However, once you get beyond South Carolina the world is pretty much normal again.
Things tomorrow offshore are definitely looking calmer. As far as how far offshore to run, probably a bit further than you normally run but not too far. I didn't mention that the periods are quite long at the moment, we're in 5 ft at 12 seconds. 20 nm off shore things do pick up so not that far off today.
As to running at night, I'd base that on how well you're equipped equipment and crew wise for it and what your daytime range is. Our biggest goal was getting south of South Carolina. However, yesterday, Charleston harbor was not bad from the reports I had.
If I was you, I'd probably try to get prepared, get the information I could and get an early start tomorrow. Unless you're already outside by the time I'm writing this, I wouldn't start today. Tomorrow is calmer plus I'd want every hour of daylight I could get.
Fine details
As usual i need to expand the story. I just bought this jewel and have all the confidence in the boat. I have 30 minutes at the helm on a new to me boat. Another consideration is im by myself. Its stupid i know but i had to get the boat and all my deckhand options went down the drain. The folks in the marina that are leaving are trudging the ditch and with my shorthanded condition im not happy about all the damn run off and the half dozen rivers that seem to be located in a 75 mile range. Well I'm through whinning and getting ready to do something. Thanks everyone for chiming in and i agree with ya'll outside is the way to go. I'm getting pumped out today and fueling in the morning zo I'm going to pull the trigger this week come hell or high water no pun inteded.
As usual i need to expand the story. I just bought this jewel and have all the confidence in the boat. I have 30 minutes at the helm on a new to me boat. Another consideration is im by myself. Its stupid i know but i had to get the boat and all my deckhand options went down the drain. The folks in the marina that are leaving are trudging the ditch and with my shorthanded condition im not happy about all the damn run off and the half dozen rivers that seem to be located in a 75 mile range. Well I'm through whinning and getting ready to do something. Thanks everyone for chiming in and i agree with ya'll outside is the way to go. I'm getting pumped out today and fueling in the morning zo I'm going to pull the trigger this week come hell or high water no pun inteded.
Capt.Bill11
Guru
I got in last night around 10pm from running nonstop offshore from Charleston to Ft. Lauderdale. Saw some large logs and lumber offshore from Charleston. The ride down till we got south of GA was OK. Not great but certainly doable. It got much better the farther we got down into FL.
As noted the weather is supposed to get better over today and tomorrow.
As noted the weather is supposed to get better over today and tomorrow.
Ok, a couple of things before you go. Confirming you are a member of one of the tow services? If not, join today, before you head out. Get fueled today so tomorrow morning you can head out with no wait.
What is your speed? If you go outside, where can you comfortably make it assuming you start 7:00-7:30 or so tomorrow morning? Can you make it to Charleston?
Don't know your boat or experience to comment on the single handed run.
caltexflanc
Guru
One issue is the coastal rivers haven't crested yet, the Waccamaw is scheduled to crest tonight. In talking to some of the marinas along there (Bucksport, Wacca Wache, Georgetown Landing) they advise extreme caution for the coming few days. They have seen only a few boats coming by. No way I personally would have done the Waccamaw in these conditions, and it may well be our favorite stretch of the whole ICW. There are enough dead heads and debris in there normally. As the nice gal at the Wacca Wache said, "well I haven't seen any refrigerators or anything like that yet!" But each has to make their own judgement I suppose. "Are ya feelin' lucky?"
We just passed by Charleston and remained well off shore as we heard there was significant debris just offshore. If the OP is going to enter the inlet there, most definitely needs to be with much care and in daylight. If he has the speed to make Hilton Head, I'd probably choose it, but that's 150 nm for the OP.
cardude01
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ICW sounds like a really bad idea with all the debris IMO.
However, with a new to you boat going outside could come with challenges as well.
I second the tow service idea.
Sounds like you have a schedule, and as I found out that can be a bad thing. Don't rush. Wait.
However, with a new to you boat going outside could come with challenges as well.
I second the tow service idea.
Sounds like you have a schedule, and as I found out that can be a bad thing. Don't rush. Wait.
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First off I do have tow boat service and the boat has everything electronic except AIS and outside it's collision value goes down. I would have it but I can live without it now. I agree with everyone's suggestions. I am going to be ready to go and give it a day to line up one of these other boaters and go. It sure makes life better having a fine group of knowledgeable seafarers a key stoke away. Thank ya'll all and when I sail I'll do my best to post some pics. This morning the sun broke to a gin clear sky that whispered "time to fly" and that sandy brown water in Kemah was hollering "come on home boy"
We left Georgetown yesterday morning early. Started with 4-6' but long periods and from our aft. Quickly saw those diminishing and by Charleston was down to 2'. Started picking back up a little by Florida and then by the time we hit the Daytona Beach area was 4-5' at 11 seconds so still very nice. Back to 2-4' at 9 seconds for our final couple of hours this morning. Home safe and sound. We followed one day behind Bill who had a similarly nice trip.
What are your speed and range?
Have you considered hiring a captain where you are for at least the first 24 hours of the trip? That would also allow you to not stop until South Georgia or Northern Florida. Maybe the captain flies back from Jacksonville. I know it's an added cost but with a boat new to you and the need for long days and possibly nights could be worth it. I am not a fan of running solo.
I am checking on some help that's familiar with the area and can assist in the routine. If I wasn't ate up with cancer I'd haul arce. I know a lot of the guys would drop lines and go but being old kinda puts the brakes on that idea. I have a hail out for a deckhand to florida and will go that way. Outside with a hand aboard will be ok. Again everyone thank you for suggestions.
caltexflanc
Guru
Your boat can make over 450nm in 24 hours non-stop?
26 hours. We ran around 20 knots day and 15 knots at night. Cruises at 22 knots.
mahal
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About time
Departed Little River at 8:05 and threw the dock line in Georgetown at 4:00. Not bad for a 50 year old girl in her prom dress. The ditch is not bad up here not much commercial traffic. A lot of boats going south and with another northerner on its way down will push even more. The great folks at Cochenia Marina in Little river will never be forgotten. I know that I spelled that wrong but Im to tired to look it up.The nicest people you could ask to share a berth with. If you need a place to hang your fenders on your way to some exotic place and you near mile marker 345 stop and rest a spell great food and help that knows what they are talking about.
Even with the flood and tides the waterway was easily passable but a lot of stumps that resemble water hydria piles could be seen left on the banks. The rock pile was kinda funny in that I put a waypoint in the plotter to remind me and had the volume so low that I slip through at 9 knts and no lost paint. I must say that there isn't much of interest along this first leg to distract me but Im sure that will change. Did have a pucker moment at Ospray Marina when the turn area was congested with boats so I backed to the bank and then turned to get out. I was being directed by a helpful person that knew ditily but those props dredged them a slightly larger turn basin and didn't even charge. And just for info Ospray has fuel for 2.06. Remember these days and hope they last a while. Well off to bed Charleston tomorrow.
Departed Little River at 8:05 and threw the dock line in Georgetown at 4:00. Not bad for a 50 year old girl in her prom dress. The ditch is not bad up here not much commercial traffic. A lot of boats going south and with another northerner on its way down will push even more. The great folks at Cochenia Marina in Little river will never be forgotten. I know that I spelled that wrong but Im to tired to look it up.The nicest people you could ask to share a berth with. If you need a place to hang your fenders on your way to some exotic place and you near mile marker 345 stop and rest a spell great food and help that knows what they are talking about.
Even with the flood and tides the waterway was easily passable but a lot of stumps that resemble water hydria piles could be seen left on the banks. The rock pile was kinda funny in that I put a waypoint in the plotter to remind me and had the volume so low that I slip through at 9 knts and no lost paint. I must say that there isn't much of interest along this first leg to distract me but Im sure that will change. Did have a pucker moment at Ospray Marina when the turn area was congested with boats so I backed to the bank and then turned to get out. I was being directed by a helpful person that knew ditily but those props dredged them a slightly larger turn basin and didn't even charge. And just for info Ospray has fuel for 2.06. Remember these days and hope they last a while. Well off to bed Charleston tomorrow.
caltexflanc
Guru
We always thought the Waccamaw was one of the, if not the, most beautiful parts of the trip, especially this time of year. Usually anchored out and dawdled for a few days. Sounds to me like you will be seriously bored now through the Low Country, we felt South Carolina and Georgia were the two states worth staying inside for most of the way, exploring and gunkholing.
Anyway, glad to hear you're finally en route and things are going OK!
So about 1500 gallons of fuel?
Just a little over in total. Total from Myrtle Beach to Georgetown to Home as we ran it was 512 nm, 1550 gallons. From Georgetown home would have been about 1508 if I had to guess.
Donsan
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Wifey B: Yeah, the only reason we run so much is to make sure no bugs get in. That's why we ran to Miami this morning. Nothing to do with me wanting to eat lunch there or go shopping. It was bug preventive measures. Officially BPM. Make a note of that, all. Lunch is a good side benefit though.
