Pearson Yachts Forum

General Category - Pearson Owners and Enthusiasts => Cruising => Topic started by: Dolce_Vita on September 19, 2016, 11:36:56 AM

Title: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita 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.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: rbrtfeld on September 20, 2016, 01:06:20 AM
Ed,
Have a great trip. Will be looking forward to your blog and pictures.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Frayed Knot 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
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Rusty Pelican on September 21, 2016, 04:03:02 PM
Lucky you.
Fair winds & safe sailing.
Will follow your blog.
How about some YouTube videos?

BobG
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita 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! :)
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita 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
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: rbrtfeld on September 29, 2016, 04:38:32 PM
Fair winds and have a great time. We all will be following your trip.

Bob
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Frayed Knot on September 30, 2016, 05:04:52 PM
Ed,   let me know if you got the message.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Alma on October 01, 2016, 09:18:45 PM
Have a great trip Ed!
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita 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.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Alma 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

Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Rusty Pelican on October 04, 2016, 07:55:37 AM
Looks like a big mistake.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Frayed Knot 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...   
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita 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.

Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: rnebergall on October 04, 2016, 09:19:37 PM
Good luck and best wishes for you guys, and everyone on the east coast.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on October 08, 2016, 04:12:14 PM
Dick,

How did you and Frayed Knot come through Matthew?  Looks like it came ashore pretty close to Myrtle Beach.  Hope everything's OK.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on October 11, 2016, 09:58:49 AM
Well, here it is , 11 days past our original departure date, and we're still in our home slip.

First it was a cold front that delayed us a couple of days.

Then it was Matthew that held us off almost a whole week.

Finally, when we're "cleared for takeoff", our credit card gets hacked, and we have to wait another three days to get a replacement! And that's with extra-cost "expedited" service!

The promised card delivery was supposed to be yesterday. Can you guess? No card...

And now, both the Dismal Swamp and the Virginia Cut legs of the ICW are closed due to post-Matthew high water and damage!

We really need to get going!  Last night, there was our first frost warning!  It got down into the 30s!
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Alma on October 11, 2016, 08:27:09 PM
Don't be rushed. Enjoy where you are and leave when safe.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on October 18, 2016, 09:52:54 PM
We finally got on our way this past Saturday, but have already had two equipment failures, which have each cost us a day. 

I hope this is using up all of our bad karma at the beginning!

We're currently at Zanheisers, at Solomons Island, hoping to leave tomorrow for the Wicomico.

Full details on the blog: http://sv-dolce-vita.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on October 23, 2016, 07:49:28 PM
We pulled into Cape Charles Town Harbor Marina on thursday evening to wait out the front that was coming through with gale force winds.

It's now Sunday and we're still here.  Turns out this wasn't a very good port to hunker down in for any wind with any westerly component in it. The combination of the port's west facing channel, it's incomplete breakwater too far out, and it's floating docks makes for a a really rolly time.  And the wind's still been too strong to risk trying to get out of the slip.
But we've met lots of great cruisers here, also waiting out the weather.

Supposed to drop to 10-15 NW tomorrow, so we're planning on getting going then.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on October 29, 2016, 11:26:16 PM
After Cape Charles, we had a couple of good days, making it to Hampton, then into the ICW proper for two days.  Then, just past Coinjock NC, things went sour.

First, our raw water pump destroyed a bearing and was pumping seawater into the boat.  We got a tow back to Coinjock marina, and waited for a new pump.

Meanwhile, sitting tied to the face dock, we were struck by another boat, damaging some teak toerail and fiberglass.

And today, the wife dropped her expensive iPhone overboard.

Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: rbrtfeld on October 30, 2016, 12:14:06 AM
Hang in there Ed.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on November 09, 2016, 11:50:22 PM
Things have been much better since Coinjock.  Been making great progress and having a lot of fun.  Met up with Frayed Knot owner Dick Martin in Myrtle Beach, and he was a most gracious host.  Thanks Dick!

We're at anchor, about half a day outside of Charleston, and are considering going outside from Charleston to Fernandina Beach, FL to skip the Georgia portion of the ICW because it is so shallow and unmaintained.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Libations Too on November 11, 2016, 10:53:24 AM
Ed,
I've not checked in very often since selling Libations, and I just found this thread. "Good on You" for casting off and heading out on a great adventure. I've just subscribed to your blog and will follow along as you adventure unfolds.
Best to you,
Richard
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on November 15, 2016, 08:54:19 PM
Hi Richard, good to hear from you.

A friend came down and joined us in Charleston, and we waited for 4 days for a good weather window.
And we got one. Left Charleston at first light Monday morning, 46 degrees and overcast/scattered fog.

Had a great run outside, including a 143 nm leg on a single tack at 5-6 kts! Good wind direction, moderate strength, and moderate sea state.  Doesn't get much better than that ( but it could have been a bit warmer!).

Got in to St. Mary's inlet about 3:30 in the afternoon Tuesday.  Took a slip on the Georgia side of the St. Mary's River.  Temp was 72.  People on beaches!

Need to update the blog.  More details there soon.

Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on November 17, 2016, 10:33:19 PM
Spent a day in St. Marys to check out the town.  Several nice resturants, and a rather unique submarine museum.
Left today (thurs) morning and had an easy 30 mile day down to Jacksonville, FL,

Florida at last!  Still a little chilly at night but the days are quite warm!
I think we've finally gotten ahead of the cold.

Headed for St. Augustine tomorrow.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on November 27, 2016, 10:04:17 AM
Currently in Ft. Pierce, FL.  Expect to be in Ft. Lauderdale in about 3 days, then leave the boat to come home for Christmas.

Will return right after Christmass, then move down to Miami/Key Biscane and wait for a weather window to cross to Bimini, Bahamas.

Was 56 last night, but is sunny and 76 today! :)
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on November 29, 2016, 01:20:42 PM
We've had a change of plans.

Couldn't find a slip in Ft. Lauderdale to leave the boat for a couple of weeks.  Its their busy time of the year and everywhere is booked solid.

On a friend's recommendation, I checked here in Ft Pierce, and Harbortown Marina just happened to have a slip open up that very day, and their monthly rate was half of what it would have been in Lauderdale!  So, we scooped it up, and made airfare arrangements to fly home earlier than planned.  We will leave the boat this Thurs, Dec 1, and return after Christmas.

So, this ends the first phase of our trip. The numbers so far:

Days Enroute:       44
Distance Traveled: 1123 NM
ICW Mile Marker:   965 (Statute Miles from Norfolk)
Engine Hours:        179.3
Gasoline:               199.5 Gallons
Oil Changes:          3
Memories:              Priceless :)


In late December we will return, reprovision the boat, and head for Miami/Key Biscane and on to the Bahamas!
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: rnebergall on November 29, 2016, 06:13:31 PM
Just want to thank you for this, and your blog.  I really appreciate your very enjoyable accounts of all your adventures.

Safe travels over the Holidays.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Alma on November 30, 2016, 10:20:23 PM
I helped a friend with his Bertram 37 last week- Two Detroit Diesel Bus engines... 5 GALLONS of oil in each-

Those 3 quart Atom 4 Oil Changes must be killing you Ed LoL!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Rusty Pelican on February 28, 2017, 07:40:38 AM
Hey ED
 I saw somewhere that you were at the beach with the swimming pigs.
Here is a sad article about what just happened to some of the pigs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bahamas-swimming-pigs-dead-rum-tourists-exuma-cays-tourism-a7602281.html

Title: Re: ICW South to Florida, Bahamas
Post by: Dolce_Vita on March 07, 2017, 12:30:32 PM
We were there the day after it happened.  I talked to one of the locals about it.  Seven out of the approximately 30 pigs on the island died.  The vet determined that it looked like food poisoning from eating spoiled garbage, but he couldn't be certain.