East Coast Cruise

E

El and Bill

New member
How best to cruise the east coast this spring?

1. Launch in the south (maybe from KY, after the Nashville Gathering) and cruise northerly along the ICW on our own 'bottom' heading to the Great Lakes. Then, maybe return southerly in the fall to the truck and trailer.
Advantages: no worries about launch ramps or finding safe places to leave the truck and trailer. One-way routes only. The 'fun' of completing the Great Loop.
Disadvantages: more expensive for fuel, since truck mileage is better than boat mileage and fuel ashore is less than at marinas. Harder to get servicing for engines without a trailer.

2. Trailer to key spots, launch and cruise a few weeks in a 'great place,' then return to the start, fire up the truck and go trailering off to the next 'great place.'
Advantages: Less expensive fuel costs. Time on the water just in the 'great places,' like St. Johns River, Carolina Sounds, Chesapeake, etc. Timing to Gatherings or other events easier with land transport.
Disadvantages: Need a good ramp (and safe place to leave truck and trailer) at each 'great place.' Most routes are round trip to get back to the truck and trailer.

Anyone care to share thoughts?
Anyone along the Great Loop care to share ideas of the best 'great places?'
How about ideas for launch ramps and/or places to leave the truck. Anyone care to do it?
 
How about ideas for launch ramps and/or places to leave the truck. Anyone care to do it?
Click to expand...
We're still a few years away from doing cruises (elderly parent) but that point - where to leave the truck? is something I've wondered about and read your adventures with care while looking for pointers. With a camper, I suppose one could store at an understanding RV park (for a fee, of course) but I also wondered about RV storage lots? Will they store on a weekly rate? Some are fairly inexpensive when one considers the overall cost of a cruise anyway.

As a beginner, I would probably stick to the two way trip before taking the bigger risk. El and Bill, you two have the most cruise experience here, so I'll ask you. How long after your first cruise in 2000 did you make your first one way trip and what's the ratio between one way and two way today?

Inquiring minds want to know....
 
El and Bill,

We are interested. The area between Marathon and Annapolis seems a good bet. Penny and I have been discussing cruises that we might make on the way home. The N. Carolina Sounds and the St. John’s River are under consideration. The Chesapeake Gathering is also of interest. When do you expect to be on the East Coast of Florida?

We’ve also been discussing what we might do this summer and fall. All plans have included a week here and a week there to visit children and grandchildren near Annapolis. We had thought to hook Wanderer to the RV and head for Nova Scotia. However, your loop sounds interesting. Do you have any good internet info on the Loop. I haven’t even googled it yet.

In both scenarios, Car A and Car B seem to give the greatest bang for the buck. Yet, all the way by water has an unmistakable sense of accomplishment to it.

We would like to be in Annapolis by the end of May. Does that work for you? I’m trying to sell our sailboat – Vamoose and need to make arrangements for someone to show it. See: www.2sail.net.

As for the Loop, more thought is needed. Please keep in touch.
 
El and Bill,

We'd be happy to have you park the truck on our field. Very safe, in the country. just across from our house. There is an excellent county ramp a mile from our house.

I'm hoping the Eastern Shore Gathering.."Kids,Koolers, Dogs and C.Dorys" will fall on June 3-5..

tom
 
Mary and Don --
The one-way option means there is an alternative way to return to the boat, other than by boat. We have done one-way trips using a rent car to return to the start (once), 'hitched' rides with boaters, friends, or family many times, and often plan on a return by water cruise only to find, by serendipity, a way back to the boat with new friends. Sometimes (this past year on two lakes of the Columbia River, and on the Arkansas River) we have hop-scotched vehicles with a C-Dory friend with whom we cruised in tandem. So the ratio -- well, about 50-50 and not much difference from our first years cruising on Halcyon until now.
On our sailboat, we didn't have an easy trailering option, so then did the Great Loop all on the water (didn't even own a land vehicle for years).
Finding a safe place to launch and leave the truck is a problem, whether traveling one-way or round trip (in fact, one way hop-scotching with another vehicle requires two safe places with good ramps). We try to note each ramp we have used for launching on each of our tales on our Halcyon website. Fingers crossed, we have never had a problem with our left-behind camper and trailer yet, but one never knows. Leaving at a friend's place is the best, for peace of mind, and C-Dory owners have been (and still are) generous in their offers, if they have the space.
Hope this helps somewhat -- certainly, RV parks and storage facilities will mind a vehicle for a charge, and we have occasionally left our t&t at a marina, usually for a small fee. However, if we cruised the whole loop on the water only then that small fee (for six months) might add up and the odds of a problem with the vehicle would potentially compound.
 
George and Penny --
We wil be at the Nashville Gathering on Old Hickory Lake in KY the first of April. We will be on those rivers for a week or two. Then ... well, we could come down TennTom to Gulf, east to FL, cross mid-FL, and then up the east coast ICW. Or ... could trailer to points east after the KY cruising, and maybe cruise St. Johns River, Savannah area, Carolina Sounds, Dismal Swamp, and Chesapeake.
Summer?? Well, there's the Erie Canal, canals in Canada, North Shore of lake Huron, North Shore of lake Superior, some of the big lakes in Manitoba/Ontario?? Then, down the Missouri River from Sioux City to Ol' Miss.
Fall?? Well, there are some fine lakes on the Upper Missouri and Arkansas/Missouri have some real beauts.
Goodness -- so many wonderful places, so little time. We're kinda footloose and, except for the KY Gathering and some time afterwards on the rivers, we have no fixed plans. Tempting???
 
Bill & El, et al...

Oh, Oh, Oh, all this talk gets my blood-up. When (if...) I grow up, I want to be Halcyon...............

This is a very pertinent topic. Thank you. I have been considering alternatives and routes for the summer as well. We hadn't been talking/planning for the Great Loop, but are still planning to spend a good while (2-3 months?) on the north end (canals, etc.). At this point we don't honestly know how much ground (er...water) we'll cover.

I like the "loop" idea. It seems efficient; versus out and back...well, you get the idea. Unlike last summer's Alaska trip, this one seems very Unplanned! During the final part of last summer's trip (Sitka to Prince Rupert) I discovered the downside of overplanning. After two months of delightfully relaxed "cruising," I set-a-plan, only to find myself driven to meet arbitrarily-set goals. Does that make sense? (In retrospect, I felt rather foolish.)

This summer I am (...with the Admiral's approval) taking a decidely-more relaxed approach. We'll leave Arizona, head east-by-north, enter Canada somewhere, and when we get to big water, launch. Hmmm...come to think of it, maybe I DO need to hone that up a bit, there's a LOT of big water up there!

As you can see - routing is still up in the air. An interesting mini-Loop site is at: http://lists.samurai.com/pipermail/grea ... 00490.html The site suggests five "mini" loops, and some of them aren't very "mini!"

This is Fun.....

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
 
El and Bill, George and Penney, and whomever else:

Alma's Only, with my 4 year old grandson aboard, might be able to join you either at or around New Bern, NC on the Pamlico, or Norfolk, VA, and head north along the Chesapeake. We could either drop a vehicle and trailer off at the destination of the East Coast Gathering, or would need to leave the boat there, while we take the train south to get the vehicle and trailer, and return north for the take-out.

I've got good Garmin routes and tracks for this area (Charleston, SC to Atlantic City, NJ), including the Dismal Swamp and alternate Virginia Cut, a number of inlets in NC and SC, and an offshore track from Cape Lookout, NC to Ocracoke, NC. I'd be happy to send these to you for whatever use they might be.

All of my chartplotter maps are ones for which I've purchased release codes (that is, none are on Garmin factory chips), or I'd offer their use to you.

Keep us posted if you want company.

David on Alma's Only
 
How about some time frames? (Not detailed planning, Casey, just a rough concept, OK?)
April - KY lakes and Rivers
May - Carolina Sounds (maybe with a link cruising to the Sounds from perhaps as far south as Florida, with a bit of 'sightseeing' around Savannah.
June - Chesapeake Bay, and environs.

Possible Participants (for all or parts): Naknek, Alma's Only, Byrdman, Wanderer, Halcyon

All ideas about times and participants open for suggestions. Looks like some cruising time together.
 
I expect to see some of you some up North this summer - just don't know who, or where (yet).

I'll get home March 31st. Then we take delivery of a truck/camper about mid-April. That will require some attention, a shakedown trip, then return to (AZ) to get Naknek and head east.

We'll be monitoring progress of the various boats, and may be able to join-in for part(s) of the trip; we'll just have to wait and see. Likewise, we will be checking-in on the website from time-to-time with cruise notes, and hope to cross paths with C-Dory's along the way.

Promises to be a fun summer!

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
 
Casey --

Looks like the April Gathering is out for you, unless you stop by on the way to AZ and Sandy joins you in Nashville -- can celebrate both you and Pat mustering out of duty. You can stay in our camper at the Rendezvous, we'll 'camp' on the boat.
Then, after your check out of the new truck (congrats!!), looks like May, June, etc. are perhaps open. Carolina sounds -- visit Kitty Hawk, the Dismal Swamp, Outer Banks, Ocracoke ... Then in June, Chesapeake -- the Eastern Shore, Williamsburg, Potomac River, Chestertown ... Hmmmm!
 
The only problem with that scenario is my return to AZ will be on an airplane, so rather difficult to divert to Nashville, but thanks for the offer!

Oh, we'll be catching-up with you somewhere for sure!

You can run; but you can't Hide!

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
 
Casey, Airplanes land in Nashville too....grin.
All my post 1st weekend in Apr05 plans are deployment driven at this time. Not sure when the drop dead date on me picking up a tour is going to be. Bottom line, no pun intended, is about $600 a month for the length of retirement, and enough "cash flow" from the deployment vs. retirement as a Major in Apr05 to clear the Excursion...and that would be sweet. My fun meter is peaking with the military and way 100% focused on setting it all down.....till the DA promotion list came out.. If it was meant to be it will happen. Either way, I have a great boat and tow vehicle and can be talked into boating travel anytime.
TO FOLLOW UP ON HALCYON STAYING AT FRIENDS HOMES/HELPING ALONG THE WAY..... BE SURE THEY ARE NOT REMODELING.... The only day in 11 years at my house they had all water shut off was the day El really wanted to lay back in a nice hot bath, wash a few clothes and just run her feet thru some carpet after a two week run ending on the Alabama River here in Montgomery, AL.. I promise El.... I do have indoor plumbing.... Byrdman
 
El and Bill,

We're kinda footloose and, except for the KY Gathering and some time afterwards on the rivers, we have no fixed plans. Tempting???
Click to expand...

Yes.

We haven’t done much but consider options since this thread started. Still haven’t settled on a plan for the April-May period. We’re even thinking about giving up our South Florida circle and towing up to Nashville for the gathering. Then, we’d cruise the area for a week or two afterwards. We wouldn’t come back to Marathon. Instead, we’d hook up and head for another spot somewhere on the coast between the St. John and Albemarle Sound. We still plan to be in Annapolis by the end of May.

Now, if you decide to cruise down to the Gulf, we could start up the Florida west coast and meet you in Tampa Bay, turn south, and at Ft. Myers, cross the Okeechobee Waterway together.
 
WOW.... our options are numerous... Just got an update, and I have to be in Ft. Rucker, AL on Wednesday, 27Apr05 for final out processing... But, planes fly there if I end up somewhere that a one day drive could not fix. The good news.... is that I will VERY SOON now start my one-day-a week work schedule to use up my leave. I have to very soon turn in my final leave plan. This will be very interesting how this pans out... But, for sure be there in Nashville.... and where ever we end up for about thru 15Apr05. Will take this info home tonight as to allow Sherryl to have input... Even if she is not able to join me on this run....if Momma ain't happy.....ain't nobody happy.... I may just leave the boat at Moms or Mikes on the Cumberland River in Mt. Juliet, TN for a month or two around Apr/May/Jun/Jul and just see where the tides of time take us...
 
George and Penny --
Great!! What fun to do some thinking and planning together. We've been thinking that if we are in the KY/TN lakes for the Gathering and for some extended cruising in that wonderful area afterwards, it might be getting a little too late to go down Tenn/Tom to Gulf, over to FL, south to the Okeechobee 'sneak,' back up the east side of FL, and GA and still have enough time to really poke around the Carolina Sounds and environs before heading up to the Chesapeake. What do you think?

We don't like to rush our cruising, and enjoy putting along just at 12 k and exploring side trips, watching birds, munching in good restaurants, and swinging on the hook in good anchorages. We usually stop in marinas just for fuel, resupply, and the occasional overnight for shower, shore power recharge, etc. We prefer the hook. If you have a different pattern, we can cruise together separately (you in the marinas at night, we on hook, radio contact off and on to share experiences and ideas, etc.) We've done this cruising style with others and it works fine, or we can be more closely 'linked' on the cruise. We can talk it over.

Anyway, we're beginning to think it might be better, after the time at the Gathering, to trailer over the mountains and splash in the Carolinas. Nothing fixed in our mind, and open to any ideas.

We also want to be up near Chestertown the first weekend in June (for the Gathering) so our timing should co-incide with your desire to be in Annapolis at end of May.

Any others who might want to kick in ideas about this East Coast Cruise -- either with thoughts for us, or perhaps have an interest in joining all or part of the cruise?
 
David (Alma's Own) --

It would be great to meet up with you and your grandson along the route north. Do you have some ideas of where to launch in the Carolina Sounds and perhaps leave truck and trailer for awhile? And then, as you suggest, leave a truck up near the Chesapeake Gathering (perhaps at Terraplane Tom's place) so we can use that vehicle to return to the truck(s) left on the Carolina Sounds.

Are you going to the Nashville Gathering?
 
El and Bill (Halcyon): I won't be able to make Nashville. My plans are to trailer from Richmond to the Florida Keys, and spend three weeks there with three different crews. We all want to get as far south as possible to warm up our tired bones. Nashville does sound like a very fun trip, though, and I'd be very tempted had these plans not been put in the works.

As for the Carolina Sounds, my daughter lives in New Bern, and boats out of Oriental. I know of good launch sites at New Bern (N35 06.298, W77 02.115) and Beaufort (N34 42.567, W76 37.925), and could find one at Oriental. I'll be talking with her today, and will confirm that she could find a secure place in those parts for your truck and trailer. Do you have an approximate launch date?

There's a possibility that I'll put in somewhere in that area, and head north to the east coast get together with my grandson. Although my wife won't be able to get away for much cruising, she's going to try to join us for the get together weekend by taking the train out of Richmond. I might pre-position a vehicle and trailer at the northern end, and if so, could help on some transportation back south. Won't know about that for a little bit, but will keep you posted.

New Bern is very charming. Launching there would require a long haul down the Neuse River, but allow a stop at Oriental (very nice place, with free dock, lots of ice cream, big sailing center), connection to the ICW at Adams Creek, or continued cruising to Ocracoke.

Launching at Oriental would be about the same as launching at New Bern, but cut off most of the Neuse River passage.

I'd recommend you put in at Beaufort. It's not that much more of a drive, and you have three options from there: north along the ICW via Adams Creek, north through Core Sound (allows an overnight at Lookout Bight (N34 36.827, W76 32.108), which can be reached by either inside or outside passages), or north to Ocracoke on the outside, also by way of Lookout Bight, if you prefer. If you're at Lookout Bight, you can backtrack to Adams Creek without too much loss of time.

You could also put in at New Bern, come down the Neuse to Adams Creek, down Adams Creek to Beaufort, and then north to Ocracoke.

Plan to linger at Beaufort. Free tie up while shopping (N34 43.014, W76 40.008), lots of good ice cream, and very charming.

I mailed you a CD yesterday with routes and tracks in this part of the world, and hopefully that will assist in your plans.

Let me know what I can do to help.

David
 
David -
Good information, and we'll check out your suggested launch sites when we have your CD and tracks into the computer. Timing is indefinite yet, since we are co-ordinating with others, but looks like the last week of April or the first week of May.
We could help by prepositioning our rig near Chestertown, with an assist back from you, if that would help.
Your information on proximity to ice cream shops is spot on -- as you well know, those of us cruising without a refrigerator have an obsession with ice cream!
Thanks for the update, and odds are we will be heading to the Carolina Sounds after the Nashville Gathering, launch at one of your suggested sites, and we can do some cruising north together. Outside odds, we will have launched farther south and be cruising northerly on ICW and intersect with you in the Sounds. (can you tell we're Nevadans? -- we put odds on everything).
 
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