GL: Great Loop east-coast portion/Budget

[Jim Healy]

Georgs
 
I think as a budget your Marina assumptions are OK.  Ralph is right that
there are many Marinas along the way that are $4.00/ft of boat length.  We
don't stay at those places as a matter of personal policy, and there is
nowhere that you'd have to do that; even in New York City, the 79th St.
Marina is nowhere near that.  Expensive places are not worth the cost to us.
You are most likely to run into that in Southeast Florida, from Ft.
Lauderdale through Miami.  There are plenty of places for a boat your size
to anchor in those areas, so I wouldn't worry about it.  Marinas mostly
charge by the foot of boat length and between $5.00 and $10.00 (varies from
place to place) for a single 30A electric service.  From Maryland through
the Florida, you will find many OK choices at $1.00/ft, and will never have
to pay more than $1.75/ft and be quite comfortable.  One very cool place to
stay will cost you $25/night with electric; that's Parks Marina at Tangier,
VA, which is also a very cool cultural stay, too.  The one small thing you
might want to add to marina costs is laundry facilities.  Most machines take
quarters, need two trips for clothes to dry, and run between (free) (rare)
to $1.50 per load.
 
The NYS Canal System had a small fee last year.  Probably will again this
year, too.  
 
There are no fees for the Federal Locks on either route in VA.  I'd suggest
you take the Dismal Swamp route if you're a first timer.  It is a 6 mph
canal, but well worth it.  If you make the 08h30 locking southbound at Deep
Creek, you can easily make South Mills and therefore, Elizabeth City, in one
day.  Depending on your air draft, you may find the best way to make that
first locking at deep creek is to anchor in the Deep Creek channel at the
lock the night before.  You won't be alone.  During the migrations, there
are usually several boats there on any given night.  That way, you won't
have to deal with the rush hour bridge restrictions in Norfolk.  For you,
draft will be no problems anywhere on the East Coast ICW.  
 
If you decide to take the Okeechobee Waterway across Florida, there are no
fees at any of the five Federal Locks on that canal.  
 
Have you verified that your liability and casualty insurance will cover you
all the way through the cruising range you plan (Lake Ontario through S.
Florida)?  Some policies do not have that cruising range as their default.
Check, as this could be a substantial budget item.  
 
Use Claiborne Young's web site (www.cruisersnet.net) to find the best
available fuel prices.  Sanctuary is a diesel platform, and we use
commercial docks for our fuel, but gas prices vary widely along the ICW, so
beware.  
 
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
AGLCA # 3767
MTOA # 3436