beth4652

We would like to go from Georgia to Florida on our pontoon boat. We have no idea how to begin to find reasonable routes. Can anyone help?

Bokat

Where in Ga. to where in Fl? On the intercoastal? If so, there are plenty of books available on cruising the intercoastal in bookstores and West Marine, Boaters World and Boat U. S. Get some charts and/or a GPS with appropriate data card. If you join Boat U. S. organization they publish a listing of all the Boat U. S. participating marinas so you'll have an ideal where to stop along the way. Hope this helps.

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1993 Grady 230 Gulfstream w/ 2003 175 Evinrudes off Walker's Cay

Bob's Cay

I have made the trip from up and down the coast from Ga. to FL. several times on larger boats but would like to take the trip in my 20' WAC someday. For the most part if you watch the weather you should be OK, just have extra caution in and around the major inlets & bays from Savannah to about Ponce Inlet. The ICW is usually flat and is a good if some times boring ride. Unless you feel REALLY confident & lucky, I would not run outside.

Bokat is on the money with his suggestions. Since you need paper charts to back up the electronics anyway, I would recommend that you get the "The Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook - Norfolk, Virginia to Miami, Florida" published by International Marine / McGraw Hill. The spiral format is great for smaller craft with limited space to spread out charts. I would also be sure the boat carries enough fuel to cover 150 to 200 miles just in case.

One more thing to consider is timing. Remember the timing of the snowbird migration up and down the ditch. Traffic should not be too much a problem however. It's just that if you like to look at boats, go against the "migration" and you will see loads of beautiful boats.

I would start studying the charts and getting into more details. The good folks on this forum are great about sharing local knowledge.

Good luck!

Bruce W

I took a trip on the ICW from Stuart, FL to Moorehead City, NC back in March/April 1987 or so.

One of the kinda' scary parts of it was crossing the "sound" at St. Mary's, GA - where the King's Bay Sub Base is (the sound is just East of the base).

We were in a 32ft. Chris Craft SF with twin engines, and that sound was NASTY!

We made most ALL of the trip IN the ICW and that wasn't too bad. I just wonder about being in a "pontoon boat" in some of the areas where the inlets are?

Guess it depends on the question asked above - "from where in GA to where in FL?".

We spent the first night anchored around New Smyrna Beach(?)(off to the side of the ICW), the second night in Jacksonville, and the third night in Richmond Hill, GA - then on to Charleston, SC, Southport, NC, then to Moorehead.

All but the first night were in marinas.

How BIG is the pontoon and what ammenities do you have on it?

The CHARTS are THE first step in planning - as others have said!

Regards,

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Bruce
Boatless as of 5/14/10

kingair

The last boat us magazine had a great article. If you do not have it, send me your address or fax and I will send it to you.

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