AboutCapt Lou Expertise I can answer questions about boat buying, crusing destinations along the East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys, powerboat operation, powerboat accessories, yacht club membership, commercial fishing, boating laws, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the history of Boston Harbor Islands National Park.
Experience Hosted "Nautical Talk Radio" for 14 years, a weekly, hour long program on WATD 95.9FM in Massachusetts and host of "Nautical Talk" on WPRO 630AM for 2 years. Have cruised from Maine to the Florida Keys and have owned outboard and inboard powerboats since 1976.
Organizations Metropolitan Yacht Club 1980 - Present (1992 Commodore)
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1204 1980 - 2004
Save The Harbor Save The Bay (Boston)
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
Quincy Bay Race Week
Mass Boating and Yacht Club Association
Commodores Club of America
Boat Writers International
Boat U/S
Mass Striped Bass Association
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
Awards and Honors Articles about "Nautical Talk Radio" have appeared in National Fisherman Magazine, Power and Motoryacht Magazine, Yachting Magazine, Soundings Boating Newspaper, Offshore Magazine, and the Coast Guard's N'Oreaster Magazine.
Winner of The Best Interview Of The Year Award (1995) in Boston radio presented by Achievement In Radio (A.I.R.) and sponsored by Ford Motor Company and the March of Dimes. Finalist in 1996 and 1999 for Best Interview of The Year Award presented by A.I.R. Finalist for Boston's Best Locally Produced Public Affairs Radio Program (1997) presented by A.I.R.
WINNER OF MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND ASSOCIATED PRESS ?BEST TALK SHOW? - 2003
RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION?S LEN HADLEY PRESERVATION AWARD - 2002
RECIPIENT OF JOSHUA JAMES LIFESAVER MEDAL FROM PT ALLERTON COAST GUARD COMMANDER - 2003
Expert: Capt Lou Date: 5/16/2008 Subject: CT to Florida
Question I plan to take my Swan 47 CB form Milford CT to Florida in June and After the hurricane season from Florida to Trinidad. Partly ICW partly offshore, mainly due to bridge restrictions (65 ft while the boat is 68ft) I have ordered all the guides and charts that I can find on internet. Are there long stretches on the ICW without fixed bridges? which sections are they.
Being used to North Sea weather, how does Cape Hatteras compare?
Where would be a strategic place to store the boat in Florida from July to January?
Thanks for your advice.
Regards
Robert de Vlaming
Answer There are long stretches of the ICW without fixed bridges, but you have to be real careful looking at charts for the answer to your question. Some of the bascule bridges that are shown on the charts have recently been replaced with 65 foot fixed bridges. First off, learn where all of the "all weather" inlets are and then plan accordingly, knowing that the possibility exists that you might have to turn around. The Waterway Guide lists all the bridges, so at least you will know about the "older" fixed bridges. Since I am a powerboater, I have never had to worry or pay attention to the fixed bridges. The other thought that comes to mind, is that your boat might draw too much for the ICW. There are many parts of the ICW that are 6 feet and less. If I were you, I would plan to do most of the trip on the outside. I think your sailboat is "too big" for the ICW. Cape Hatteras can be nasty, but I have always found the roughest part of the trip to be off the coast of New Jersey, New York, and New England.
