EP-142: Bridges and More — The ICW in all its glory,

Welcome aboard another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! I’m your host, Bela Musits, and in this episode, we continue our journey north aboard a Hunter 44DS, as we relocate the boat from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont.

Joined by sailor, good friend, and boat owner Mike Maloff, we share real-life stories, challenges, and logistics of moving a cruising sailboat through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and beyond. In this installment, we dive into a major topic for East Coast cruisers: navigating bridges.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a dreamer planning your own voyage, this episode is packed with helpful insights:

• 🚧 Bridge protocols and how to handle VHF radio communications with bridge tenders
  

• ⛵ Timing tides and currents to get under fixed bridges safely
  

• 🗺️ The importance of route planning through major ICW cities like Charleston, Norfolk, and New York
  

• ⚓ Real-world anecdotes from our anchorages, marinas, and passages
  

• 🔧 Unexpected maintenance stories and lessons learned while underway
  

• 🌉 The quirks of swing, bascule, lift, and fixed bridges along the ICW
  

Sailing the East Coast of the U.S. is about more than just beautiful scenery — it's about knowing the waters, understanding the infrastructure, and appreciating the people you meet along the way. This episode captures that essence.

🎧 Recorded live aboard Mikes boat, most segments were captured at anchor or in marinas after long sailing days. Expect an authentic soundscape with some natural background ambience — it’s all part of the experience.

📽️ Don’t forget: the video version of this episode includes bonus photos and video clips from our trip. Check it out if you want a visual look at the bridges and landscapes we discuss.

• 00:04 — Intro to the journey and boat
  

• 04:12 — Bridge opening schedules and VHF etiquette
  

• 11:35 — Tidal planning and mast clearance strategies
  

• 19:20 — Unexpected delay in South Carolina
  

• 24:55 — Night anchoring just before a low-clearance bridge
  

• 30:10 — Reflections on ICW vs. offshore sailing routes
  

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Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you on the next leg of our voyage up the beautiful U.S. East Coast. Fair winds! 🌬️⚓