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61 The Intracoastal is great, but watch out for the bridges ICW 01

July 18, 2023 · 46 min · 1K views · Florida

What this video covers

Navigating the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) requires constant vigilance regarding bridge clearances, channel depth, and narrow fairways.0:05 A 60-foot sailboat transiting the route relies on Navionics sonar charts to monitor depth, as straying from the marked channel can lead to shallow water.11:06 The crew manages multiple bridge passages daily, some fixed and others requiring VHF communication for scheduled openings.10:03 Wind conditions frequently force motor-sailing, as the prevailing winds often blow directly down the narrow channel, making tacking impractical.3:57 The crew uses binoculars to spot distant navigation markers and monitors bridge clearance signs to ensure their mast height remains within safe limits.11:37 Despite the heavy reliance on the engine, the transit offers wildlife sightings, including dolphins and manatees.14:52 When wind angles allow, deploying the genoa provides a slight speed boost, though gusty conditions in the confined channel require immediate steering corrections.11:56 Careful fuel management dictates daily travel distances, as suitable anchorages are not always available at regular intervals.32:38

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Boats in this video

Beneteau Oceanis 440Their boat

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