From the Northeast to FL - ICW - Good 'Instruction Tour' for a Newbie?

Haha, seen lots of those bent tips too! Maybe all of them aren't caused by a release clip hanging up like they say.

Most of the bridge tenders have been nice about it and understand it isn't easy dropping 3 riggers (center one too), and four or more big antennas but I did have one lady just north of Charleston go into a rant when I asked her when her next opening was. Maybe it was a bad time of the month. She wanted name, rank and serial number and said I would be getting a citation in the mail. When I reminded her I didn't ask for an opening but just when the next scheduled one was, she calmed down. I told her I would be happy to hover till that sailboat a mile behind made it there and go through when she opened for them.

Things happen... Boats run aground at inlets and hit stuff in open waters

The only issue in the "Miami icw" is bakers haulover... Well known well documented spot and the one spot which i avoid at all cost

Problem is that way too many skippers don't so their homework and ASSume that they can run20kts between the sticks. Not so...

Your talking about the drifting sand bank that moves in and out at times. The good thing about that is that at least it is usually soft sand to hit bottom with.

The vessel I just helped, the story I was told was that the Capt hit bottom going into the wrong entrance of Miami beach marina because he didn't follow his charts properly.

"wrong entrance of Miami Beach Marina" ??

it's all deep there... no way to run aground... there are only 2 entrances to overpriced MBM and they are all deep...

you were told wrong... just like you were told wrong stories about the ICW....

27 runs and never stopped., so it's not like driving down A1A in Lauderdale By The Sea. Most of the ICW sees barge and large boat traffic including mini-ships. So if you draw less than 5' , and pay attention there should be no problems. As for what happens when you break down, I've done it in several places and met the nicest, most helpful people I could ever imagine. I've gotten immediate repairs, mechanics on Saturday night, parts on Sunday, scap anchors, and cars loaned, not to mention more than a few BBQ invites.

I haven't been there in a very, very long time, but let me guess. Just s/w of Haulover? That spot has always been known for shoaling. There are a few other notorious spots along the ICW, especially for a 45 meter. That's a little large for much of the ICW. It can be done, but real care is needed.
.....Just read down to Pascal's post. Sorry to duplicate. Guess Haulover hasn't changed. Obviously the skip of that 70 meter wasn't familiar with the area or he'd have known.

Haulover was dredged over winter but there already reports of shoaling building in the channel or buoys off station. I ve also read buoys were relocated lately but who knows...

If the weather is really too ****** to run that stretch outside, I anchor and use the tender to check it out first