Editor's Note: The ICW series of blog entries details the April 2010 cruise down the ICW made by WaterViewHome Network Publisher David Lott. The purpose of the trip is twofold: to accompany Captain Steve Weisbrod who is delivering a Lagoon PowerCat 43 from Lewis, DE, to Key West, FL, where it will become part of a charter fleet, and to visit golf and waterview communities and report on them. You can read other entries by clicking on the list of headlines at the end of this post.
ICW Trip Announcement
DAY 1 - Havre de Grace, MD - Engine Trouble
DAY 2 - Alligator River Marina, NC - River Forest, NC
DAY 3 - Oriental, NC - An Introduction to River Dunes
DAY 3 - The Oriental Boat Show Is a Town-wide Celebration
DAY 4 - Tip-Toeing Past Firing Lines
DAY 6 - Charleston's Mega Dock Showcases the World's Most Beautiful Boats

Despite the previous day's efforts to rid the diesel tanks of foul fuel, the inside portside fuel tank still refuses to last more than 30 seconds before it cuts off from the engine, forcing Captain Steve to switch back to one of the three remaining tanks. Since there are two engines, the bad tank effectively cuts our available fuel in half, thus forcing us to fill up more frequently.
Steve has to get the boat to Key West by May 1st where it is to join a charter fleet. More time spent refueling is not only inefficient, but it wastes time. We shove off from Liberty Marina, but we know that an extended stop awaits us in the future in which the fuel must be fixed.




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One of the many heavy-metal ICW swing bridges that pirouette seemingly on a dime, dancing like hippos in 'Fantasia.'

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One of many big boats. We are unable to shoot pictures of military vessels, but they are there.

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We walk into town and eat dinner at Georgie's Oyster Bar at the suggestion of the dockmaster. Shortly after we sit down, the dockmaster himself comes in for dinner. The Hatteras clam chowder is so good Captain Steve has two large bowls.
Now I discover there are three types of clam chowder--Manhattan (water base), New England (milk/cream base) and Hatteras (clam broth base). Georgie and his wife were so friendly, we had to take a picture of them standing on duty behind the counter (below).


Next, on to Oriental and our first waterfront community, River Dunes.
Follow the Complete Trip Down the ICW by clicking on the headlines below.
**ICW Trip Announcement
DAY 1 - Havre de Grace, MD - Engine Trouble**
DAY 2 - Alligator River Marina, NC - River Forest, NC
DAY 2: A Visit to River Dunes, Oriental NC
DAY 3 - The Oriental Boat Show Is a Town-Wide Celebration
DAY 4 - Tiptoeing Past Firing Lines to North River Club & Brunswick Forest
DAY 5 - St. James Plantation Marina - New Home Construction
DAY 6: Charleston's Mega Dock Is a Showcase for the World's Most Beautiful Yachts
Day 6: Daniel Island's Mitchell Wharf Offers Deepwater Docks, River Views
Day 6: Harbour Town Yacht Club with All the Trimmings on Hilton Head Island
Day 7: Discovering Windmill Harbour's Elegance and Privacy on HHI, SC