After many years of boating and 3 years cruising in the trawler Pathfinder, a Mainship 400, we've decided to share some of our thoughts and experiences as we cruise the east coast of the United States.
Our Route
For several years we researched and studied books and blogs from people cruising the Intracoastal Waterway. As we got more excited about our cruise we decided that we would take a relaxing trip down the coast from New England to Florida, that we would keep our boat in Florida for a year, and then return to Newport RI via the Bahamas.We would stay close to the coast in protected waters and only cruise when the weather was favorable. We would stop each night at an anchorage or marina and take our time to stay an extra day or two in certain ports to explore and relax. Especially during our time in the Bahamas we wanted to have no schedule or plans-- just find a lovely island, drop anchor, and enjoy life for several days before moving on to the next island.
We would see the entire east coast of the US at 10 miles per hour traveling about 50-60 miles per day (about as far as a car travels in one hour!)
In the first part of our cruise we departed Newport RI the first week of October 2007 and traveled down the Intracoastal waterway to Sarasota FL during October and November. After cruising the west coast of Florida during 2008, we left Sarasota in March 2009 and cruised across Florida to the Bahamas and then back up the ICW to Newport in time for July 4th celebrations with the family.
Our Boat
She has an economical single diesel engine that burns less than 4 gallons per hour when cruising at 10 mph. She has covered side decks with high life rails and a large covered aft cockpit (or "back porch") with room for several chairs out of the sun and wind.
Large glass french doors lead into the main salon with a pull out coach and galley with sink, propane stove and oven, microwave, coffee pot, refrigerator and freezer. To the starboard side is a complete lower helm with all instruments where we can operate the boat in bad weather or when we are making lunch while underway. The port side has a dining table that seats four.Down some stairs to two staterooms and a large bathroom with shower and tub. She has air conditioning and heat and two flat screens with 200 channels of satellite TV.
The upper bridge deck is enclosed for poor weather days and can be opened up in pleasant weather. The bridge gives great visibility and is where we spend most of the day while underway. We alternate time at the wheel sitting in the main chair although we are usually using the autopilot to steer rather than the wheel. There are large settees where the person not "on watch" can stretch out and read a book or take a short nap. A center table easily sits eight people for a meal at anchor.
At anchor or at a marina we can relax under the bimini or in our folding chairs on the upper back deck. There is a "summer kitchen" with sink and propane grill to barbecue some steaks.If the weather is raining we move the chairs under the upper deck to our "back porch" and relax sheltered from the wind and rain.
We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures!
Marianne & Chris Barlow
