Author Topic: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas  (Read 31871 times)

Dolce_Vita

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ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« on: September 19, 2016, 11:36:56 AM »
Well, the time has nearly arrived!

In just 12 short days, on Oct 1, we will head out on our six month trip, down the Atlantic ICW to Florida, then over to the Bahamas for the winter, returning north on the ICW in the spring!

I've started a blog for the trip at http://sv-dolce-vita.blogspot.com

Meanwhile, I'm quietly going nuts trying to do the final provisioning in the last two weeks. In particular, I'm all over the map on spares and tools to bring, as there's very little extra storage on the Pearson 323.

Would love to hear specifics from people who have made this trip.
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

rbrtfeld

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2016, 01:06:20 AM »
Ed,
Have a great trip. Will be looking forward to your blog and pictures.

Frayed Knot

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2016, 03:16:15 PM »
Ed,  I plan to make this trip in the near future.  Can't wait to read your blog.  I live in Myrtle Beach, SC.  If you need anything while going by here please don't hesitate to ask.  Anchorage, dockage, supplies, tools, ect. don't hesitate.
Dick Martin

Rusty Pelican

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2016, 04:03:02 PM »
Lucky you.
Fair winds & safe sailing.
Will follow your blog.
How about some YouTube videos?

BobG

Dolce_Vita

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2016, 11:10:32 PM »
Ed,  I plan to make this trip in the near future.  Can't wait to read your blog.  I live in Myrtle Beach, SC.  If you need anything while going by here please don't hesitate to ask.  Anchorage, dockage, supplies, tools, ect. don't hesitate.
Dick Martin

Dick,

  Thank you for this generous offer.  I may well take you up on it.  I'm sure we'll find all kinds of stuff we've forgotten after we leave, and I'll need a forward point to ship it to. Plus, I never miss the oportunity to look at another 323 and compare notes! :)
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

Dolce_Vita

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2016, 01:24:54 PM »
Well, with three solid days of rain in the forecast, we've decided to
postpone our departure until Monday Oct 3. This will give us
one clear day (Sunday) to do the final loading of the boat.

There's no point in starting out with everything soaked!

At last check this morning, the Dismal Swamp Canal was still closed due to high water, although the Army Corp of Engineers did manage to get out the four boats that were trapped there since the closing.

http://www.waterwayguide.com/nav-alert/4-6549/dismal-swamp-canal-and-atlantic-intracoastal-south-of-great-bridge-closed-due-to-high-water-update
« Last Edit: September 29, 2016, 01:35:59 PM by Dolce_Vita »
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

rbrtfeld

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2016, 04:38:32 PM »
Fair winds and have a great time. We all will be following your trip.

Bob

Frayed Knot

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2016, 05:04:52 PM »
Ed,   let me know if you got the message.

Alma

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2016, 09:18:45 PM »
Have a great trip Ed!

Dolce_Vita

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2016, 11:56:25 AM »
Due to hurricane Matthew, we have postponed our departure.  Details on the Oct 2 post on the blog:

http://sv-dolce-vita.blogspot.com/


EDIT:

I just noticed that my trip blog didn't have the "Follow by Email" gadget on it.  No wonder my stats kept showing 0 followers! :eek:

I think I've fixed the template now and added the correct gadget.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2016, 10:52:01 PM by Dolce_Vita »
@(^.^)@  Ed
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with rebuilt Atomic-4

Alma

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2016, 09:36:57 PM »
I didn't want to be a Jinx but I'm glad you had the sense to hunker down. Very smart. Here's me with a couple buddys who overruled me in a Crealock 37 (I wished I was in ALMA!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aiq7jgPZczU


Rusty Pelican

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2016, 07:55:37 AM »
Looks like a big mistake.

Frayed Knot

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2016, 01:02:46 PM »
I think (know) I would stay put till after Matthew is over.  I spent all day yesterday taking down sails, dodger, bimini ect.  Packed up the dink and motor and took it home.  Put out a lot of extra fenders and dock lines.  We will just wait and hope for the best. I wounder whats going to be left of the Bahamas...   
« Last Edit: October 04, 2016, 01:11:38 PM by Frayed Knot »

Dolce_Vita

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2016, 02:31:42 PM »
Yes, staying put was definitely the right call.  The projected track keeps getting worse and worse.  Just minutes ago, the NHC showed it now likely to come up the coast slightly inland, crossing the southern portion of the Chesapeake.  Essentially following the ICW northward!  Looks like we'll be removing sails & bimini soon, as closest-point-of-approach for us looks to be midday Saturday.

@(^.^)@  Ed
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with rebuilt Atomic-4

rnebergall

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Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2016, 09:19:37 PM »
Good luck and best wishes for you guys, and everyone on the east coast.