GL: ICW in New Jersey

[Joseph Pica]

Jerry, 
We did the entire NJ ICW last fall when coming south due to strong storms
offshore.  We draw 2'10" and dragged bottom 5 times (albeit our transit was
poorly timed at dead low with a neap tide to boot) in the center of the
channels.  Several shifting shoal areas are marked with small buoys that are
sometimes relocated to mark the deepest part of the channel. They pull these
in the late fall and replace them in spring.  Make sure they've been put in
place and pay attention to them not necessarily the chart.  You should plan
to transit only during the last 3rd of the rising tide, that way you won't
have as long to wait to get loose.  Also, favor the outer third of the
channel in turns (generally the outside is deeper then inside of the turn
because of the current flows faster toward the outside. We also experienced
two stuck bridges that delayed us for a couple of hours circling in strong
currents.  The worst section by far is the part from Atlantic City to Cape
May.  North from Atlantic City was doable with care in comparison.  All in
all it was not a pleasurable trip and will not do it again unless weather
dictates.  


Joe
"Carolyn Ann"  GH N-37

Snip: '...Looking for recommendations on those who may have cruised the ICW
through New Jersey lately.? We have a 4.5 foot draft and are heading north
and were thinking about doing that section this spring instead of going
outside.? We have dodged it in the past due to concerns over the shallow
water there.
Thanks
Jerry Richardson...'