Waterway Guide's Tour of the ICW 

FANTASTIC trip if you can do it. I took my first trip with my parents from Norfolk VA to Miami in 1964. I remember it clearly as a teenager. I have done it 3 more times. I'm to old now but if you can take your boat for that cruise DO IT. My advice is to plan well, obtain current paper charts and don't be in a hurry. This video is superb.

Hoping to get my boat this year, but I've been following Bob's tracks on FB for a few years now in preperation. It's so cool to finally be able to put a face to the incredible source of information!! What he does is truly appreciated, not just by current boaters, but also by those of us who are trying to learn and build our confidence. It's comforting knowing there are experts like you all who are so generous with your knowledge and information. Thanks!!!!

Invaluable 'Information and Resource' and a salute to Bob for his contribution.

Questions brilliantly an thoroughly answered.... Thank you for posting this I needed this✌🏻💗😊❣️

Great program. Wish I had this 30 years ago. Going up and down the Icw was an interesting with only paper charts and books

Two tips they didn't mention, don't run the ditch at night and look behind you for the channel markers from time to time. If you only line your boat up with the front marker you can be out of the channel. And watch out for folly inlet. It moves.

As a young boy vacationing with my parents in Myrtle Beach, SC, I watched boats motor (or sail) N/S thru the "ditch" which runs thru the town. Dreamed one day to do the same thing. In March 2021, I completed traveling the entire ICW from Norfolk, VA. to Brownsville, TX. My last portion was from Ft Walton Beach to Brownsville. So thankful I was able to do this and hope it will around for many years for others to enjoy. GIWW very different that AICW, especially west of New Orleans. Did it all in 2 open bow Grady-White power boats, a Freedom 205 and Freedom 225. Normally overnight at marina, occasionally at anchor. Sleep on deck, kinda like camping on water. Used many of the tools you described. Couldn't begin to tell all the stories and things I learned. Also did the Dismal Swamp route, and crossed FL via the Okeechobee Waterway.

This is the most informational video on the topic, thank you for sharing.

Great video, I have been running up and down the ICW from my youth in the 70's on my commercial fishing boat to my current sailboat. Super helpful video, well done.

Cumberland island/ St.Marys Ga is beuatiful!

Absolutely perfect video for a newbie like me! Thank you!

Great info. I’ve travelled a bit on the ICW and you gave great advice for newbies and people like me staying further from home. Thanks much.

Hi, Ed. Great to see this video. Bob's app track is incredible. Such a valuable resource to get around that pesky magenta line.

A very detailed, thoughtful explanation for a newbie such as myself. Thanks! ❤

Wonderful information! I sail the Gulf Coast of Florida with so many great places to tuck in and anchor or lounge around in a well established Marina. Safe and happy travels to all!

Bob423,outstanding job you have done.Many thanks.

Very good presentation, great advice.👍

Such valuable info. Thks for posting

Great video, thanks for putting this out there. Good information

Nice work guys!! Thank you!!

Thank you 👍🏻

Great video for ICW.

Excellent information!

good job, nicely done.

Cool just what I was looking for. I sailed the coast of Alaska for over 20 years and it was amazing but I have wanted to sail the ICW for a long time. That Great Loop has interested me for years. How long would that take to go from Norfolk up and around and back to the Gulf of Mexico? Seems like that would be a challenge in one spring to fall sailing season even with 6-8 months to work with. Thanks for the video! Liked and subscribed!

Check out ormond beach for restaurant stop. They have a new dock there just north of daytona

Don't forget Oriental, NC and especially River Dunes

Try a McGregor 26 which has an adjustable keel and quick release mast if you need to but wont.Mast height is 30 ish in feet.

I live near Waterside in Norfolk, Va. What makes it your favorite area/marina to stay?

Would a recreational vessel with a 3 foot draft have any issues with the AICW. I have only been on the ICW with a friend a few years ago and we had to watch it near New River, NC and Oregon Inlet. I draw 3 feet in mine and want to explore the northern section of the ICW solo. any suggestions and recommendations for a bvoater newish to the ICW?

Excellent video but why no historic information regarding the role that the ICW played during WW2? I have traveled on the Waterway from Galveston to Houma and in Bay County, FL. Lived right on the ACICW in Myrtle Beach.

From Jacksonville - how far South can I travel with a 50' Mast before needing to cut outside? Great channel, Sub'd and thank you!

I realize this is a pretty broad intro to boating on the ICW, but suggest you include some mention of the differences in navigation markers for the ICW vs. conventional buoys. There are spots where the normal "red-right-returning" markers switch to ICW "green to the East" where lack of diligence can put you on the wrong side of the channel.

Has anyone here kayaked the ICW in the New Orleans to Florida area. I am planning a long expedition down the Mississippi and will turn at New Orleans and paddle the ICW east to Florida where I have family who live right on the beach in Gulf Breeze. I am looking for some advice/knowledge of the ICW in this area as I imaging it will be quite heavily travelled by barges and container ships as that is an international port.

Purchased a sailboat in Portland ME thinking of sail ICW to Corpus Christy but have no interest in all the cities along the way. I sail solo and when in Texas putting on truck to northwest Washington state. Going to Alaska for the summer. Have gotten so much violent flak for sailing solo and many hags that tell me I need them which is a no way.

Hi Ed. Just discovered your channel. Excellent content.

Kutch Fort

Garcia Helen Rodriguez Kevin Gonzalez James

Two sets of contradictory advice. Can’t set a date AND place to meet someone. But then says you should have marina reservations a few days in advance. Isn’t the second a date and place?

Martin Deborah Perez Richard Clark Christopher

Martinez Mary Lopez Ruth Brown Jose

Martinez Jennifer Martinez Eric Thomas Linda

It is the inTRAcoastal waterway. Not inTERcoastal…while you write it correctly, you keep calling it inTERcoastal.

Hernandez Timothy Gonzalez Margaret Young Christopher

Walker Laura Lee Christopher Hall Ruth

Gonzalez Karen Anderson Anna Clark Jennifer

Dude ! It's not BOW fort ok,,, it's pronounced beau fort just like you were spelling beauty ! That's how they pronounce it! I know because I was at boot camp on Parris Island ! That's exactly how everyone there pronounced is too ! How do you think they are going to feel when you go there calling it something totally different than it's real name ? Doesn't help your professionalism?

Thank You Bob 423

Every bit helps, little as it may be.

Hernandez Jeffrey Rodriguez Jennifer Young Lisa

So should I attempt it in my sailboat with a 5.4 draft? I have heard conflicting info that it would be too difficult.

how large a vessel can trvl the ICW from say ft lauderdale all the way north

Thanks 🙏