Leading the Escapade · video

What this video covers

The crew of the catamaran Escapade navigates the Florida Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) from Fort Pierce to Melbourne and beyond while operating without a functional depth sounder. After attempting to clean barnacles from the transducer face, the unit remains unresponsive, forcing the crew to rely exclusively on Navionics charts and visual navigation through shallow, narrow channels.1:55 During the transit, they time bridge openings and manage current-driven steering in tight canals where depths occasionally drop to 0.6 metres.20:59 The crew plans to troubleshoot the wiring or replace the transducer, which is estimated to cost approximately $236.8:36 While transiting, they utilise the calm ICW conditions to perform onboard tasks like editing and meal preparation, noting that the lack of ocean swell makes these activities easier than during offshore passages.11:21 They also test two Airlock air purifiers to manage odours and air quality in the 20-year-old vessel.11:54 The crew emphasises that navigating the ICW without depth data requires constant vigilance and careful speed management to maintain steerage against currents in skinny water.9:56

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