marvin4239
New member
I've gotta ask, how are you getting home?
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Atlantic ICW
- Thread starter GxK
- Start date
Georgs,
I think that your numbers are close--and it should work for you.
I wonder about an engine oil and lower unit oil change? (unless you have E-tec's.) and you may have that covered under "boat maintance". I would probably have new water pump impellers before leaving.
Have fun, and say "hi" to Norlene!
I think that your numbers are close--and it should work for you.
I wonder about an engine oil and lower unit oil change? (unless you have E-tec's.) and you may have that covered under "boat maintance". I would probably have new water pump impellers before leaving.
Have fun, and say "hi" to Norlene!
marvin4239":2klw1lsy said:I've gotta ask, how are you getting home?
I'm not sure yet. Could ship or trailer the boat home, cruise it north again, leave it down south for future adventures, who knows?
--Georgs
El and Bill
New member
As the ol' Chinese said, "Every trip begins with the first step."" Great to dream and to plan, and then, "Adios, amigos." Have a great trip and keep your friends on the site up-to-date.
Pat Anderson
New member
So doesn't the answer to that question have a bit of an impact on the budget? :lol:
GxK":fscwpvlm said:I'm not sure yet. Could ship or trailer the boat home, cruise it north again, leave it down south for future adventures, who knows?
--Georgs
marvin4239
New member
GxK":1p2ahoz2 said:marvin4239":1p2ahoz2 said:I've gotta ask, how are you getting home?
I'm not sure yet. Could ship or trailer the boat home, cruise it north again, leave it down south for future adventures, who knows?
--Georgs
Hey Georgs I like your style "Just do it" life is to short to worry about to many details. You could even make a "Great Loop Trip" on your return or cruise the St Johns or do the Okeechobe loop lots of options.
journey on
New member
The suggestion for the Great Loop is a very good one; actually it's a great one. If you have to go through Lake Ontario, you're already on the Great Loop, and it's a wonderful trip and doable with your budget. The only difference to the boat is one is down on rivers/dams and the other is up on the ICW. Both of those are great trips, and you'll meet a lot of your countrypersons on the way. By the way, who runs Canada in the winter?
Also, you've got the perfect boat for the trip. We started at Mobile Bay with Our Journey, a sailboat with 6' draft, went around Florida, up the coast, through the Eire Canal to Lake Michigan. Took us 2 seasons, because Our Journey averaged 5 knts. And we had to put the mast up, down, up, down, etc. That's why we didn't finish the river part, but shipped Our Journey back to LA. Also, the ICW is primarily for cruisers, and a 6' draft was exciting. With your Tomkat, you don't have any of those problems.
I'd suggest that you have a heater in the winter and a cheap air conditioner in the summer (see thataway for installation.) With a trailer, you can cut off the Great Lakes, wonderful but long, but DON"T miss the Eire Canal.
Boris
Also, you've got the perfect boat for the trip. We started at Mobile Bay with Our Journey, a sailboat with 6' draft, went around Florida, up the coast, through the Eire Canal to Lake Michigan. Took us 2 seasons, because Our Journey averaged 5 knts. And we had to put the mast up, down, up, down, etc. That's why we didn't finish the river part, but shipped Our Journey back to LA. Also, the ICW is primarily for cruisers, and a 6' draft was exciting. With your Tomkat, you don't have any of those problems.
I'd suggest that you have a heater in the winter and a cheap air conditioner in the summer (see thataway for installation.) With a trailer, you can cut off the Great Lakes, wonderful but long, but DON"T miss the Eire Canal.
Boris
El and Bill
New member
Would have an exception to a few suggestions by Boris. If you time the trip (not too hard to do with a power boat) you shouldn't have need for an air conditioner. We followed the 70 degree isotherm on our trip northerly up the AICW - pretty easy to tell - just stay with the bloom of the redbuds or the dogwoods. Southerly, we followed the fall color.
Also, we would not "skip the Great Lakes" - although it's your 'back yard' there's marvelous cruising (as you know) through Georgian Bay and the Trent/Severn.
Also, we would not "skip the Great Lakes" - although it's your 'back yard' there's marvelous cruising (as you know) through Georgian Bay and the Trent/Severn.
Since you have plenty of time to plan your trip, the other thing I would consider (because I have done both ways) is this: Once you're inside FL on the AICW, how do you intend to arrive in the keys, and where will you reside in the keys? Two, IMO, possibilities exist: (1) Cruise the AICW from Stuart south, come out at Biscayne Key, make the turn at Key Largo and dead-head to the Keys; or, (2) consider the Okeechobee Waterway where you'll begin in Stuart, and arrive near Ft. Myers (Sanibel Island) and you can dead-head to the Keys or the Dry Tortugas.
I've spent oodles of time both SCUBA and fishing from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas with several friends (and boat builders) residing in Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honday Key areas. If you do SCUBA, there are some fine stone crab claws to be obtained (during the season) at Sombrero Key, Loue Key and Bahia Honda Key along the coral reefs at depths no greater then 35'. Additionally, some very tasty spiny lobsters during season - my favorites - delicious, not much meat (more like crayfish) but very, very tasty and very easy to catch at night. Lots of great flounder to be had, as well.
Tons of boatels to choose from, as well. You might look into boatels as an option for where you intend to reside for periods of time. They make life very enjoyable when you can get up, get on the boat, and cruise.
I personally love viewing the spectacular homes on the AICW in the areas of Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami - when I have the time. Some of the glass museums owned and maintained by several owners (in their backyards), and at least one house with an underground bedroom with portholes into the AICW are well, they're pretty wild. My point here is this. The homes, and the AICW in this area are remarkable - I have witnessed it change since the first time I travelled the AICW in the Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami area since 1969 - and, change it has - spectacular - but you're going to find it very, very slow. Mostly no wake zones (for very good reason) extending nearly the entire course of travel in this area. Once you pop out of the AICW, in the general area of Biscayne Key, you'll be dead-heading for the most part to your destination in the FL Keys - wherever that is.
Not sure if you SCUBA or not. When you make the bend around Key Largo, there is Jules Underwater Lodge. I recall when it was built. I've several friends who have done the overnight - and, said it was "pretty cool". I have not done it myself. Just thought I'd toss it out as an alternative accomodation if you're the adventurous type mate!
http://www.jul.com/frontpage.html
Finally, don't forget mate, fall is hurricane season. I don't want to draw unwarranted skepticism into your plans. Use diligence regarding what month you intend to leave in the fall and just keep a mindful eye on the North Coast of Africa chap!
So, anyways, just thought I'd toss out some options for you to consider and review over the next 5-6 months.
I've spent oodles of time both SCUBA and fishing from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas with several friends (and boat builders) residing in Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honday Key areas. If you do SCUBA, there are some fine stone crab claws to be obtained (during the season) at Sombrero Key, Loue Key and Bahia Honda Key along the coral reefs at depths no greater then 35'. Additionally, some very tasty spiny lobsters during season - my favorites - delicious, not much meat (more like crayfish) but very, very tasty and very easy to catch at night. Lots of great flounder to be had, as well.
Tons of boatels to choose from, as well. You might look into boatels as an option for where you intend to reside for periods of time. They make life very enjoyable when you can get up, get on the boat, and cruise.
I personally love viewing the spectacular homes on the AICW in the areas of Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami - when I have the time. Some of the glass museums owned and maintained by several owners (in their backyards), and at least one house with an underground bedroom with portholes into the AICW are well, they're pretty wild. My point here is this. The homes, and the AICW in this area are remarkable - I have witnessed it change since the first time I travelled the AICW in the Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami area since 1969 - and, change it has - spectacular - but you're going to find it very, very slow. Mostly no wake zones (for very good reason) extending nearly the entire course of travel in this area. Once you pop out of the AICW, in the general area of Biscayne Key, you'll be dead-heading for the most part to your destination in the FL Keys - wherever that is.
Not sure if you SCUBA or not. When you make the bend around Key Largo, there is Jules Underwater Lodge. I recall when it was built. I've several friends who have done the overnight - and, said it was "pretty cool". I have not done it myself. Just thought I'd toss it out as an alternative accomodation if you're the adventurous type mate!
http://www.jul.com/frontpage.html
Finally, don't forget mate, fall is hurricane season. I don't want to draw unwarranted skepticism into your plans. Use diligence regarding what month you intend to leave in the fall and just keep a mindful eye on the North Coast of Africa chap!
So, anyways, just thought I'd toss out some options for you to consider and review over the next 5-6 months.
Although it makes virtually no difference going North or South on the Atlantic ICW, (or east or west on the Gulf Coast ICW) it can on the river system. As you head up the inland waterways, there can be a moderate amount of current against you. This depends on the season and amount of water which has to be released by the dams along the way. Generally the least current is in the fall, and most in the spring. Going from S. Florida back to Georgs residence in Ontario could be close to 4,000 miles doing the "reverse" of the great loop. This is the reason that the vast majority of the "loopers" do the counter clockwise direction.
Either way--the Great Loop is a wonderful trip. We have considered doing the part we have not done--in the reverse fashion, but in the late summer or fall, when the flow rates were lowest.
Either way--the Great Loop is a wonderful trip. We have considered doing the part we have not done--in the reverse fashion, but in the late summer or fall, when the flow rates were lowest.