Cold weather doesn't mean you have to stop thinking about boating. Now is a great time to start planning your next big adventure. For some, this might be adding just a few more miles to your familiar waters - maybe a trip to Daufuskie, Hilton Head or Richmond Hill. For others, the dream might be to follow the path of the Snow Birds that pass through our waters every Spring and Fall on their way to exotic places.

I have no doubt that many will read this and automatically discount their boat's worthiness, due to its smaller size; or their willingness for such an adventure owing to their timidity. Not so fast. Big dreams are how we all grow. The difference between foolhardiness and a great adventure is measured by the amount of planning and preparation one does. No adventure is without risk! But risk must and can be managed. The universe of what can go wrong is large. Murphey's Law states that each will go wrong - BUT NOT ALL AT ONCE. Learning about the hazards of boating and how to prevent them or overcome them is why the Coast Guard Auxiliary teaches our classes. If you have taken the requisite classes; properly maintained and equipped your boat; passed a Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Exam; and spent enough time behind the wheel to know how to control your vessel in winds and current, then you are the perfect candidate for cruising the ICW. So how to begin?

Start by reading everything you can find on cruising the ICW. Some suggestions: Waterway guides (Claiborne Young has several good ones), Coast Pilot (a free Government Publication, available on line), Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship (irreverently known as, the "Boater's Bible"). Go online and search for websites: I'm working on one now (www.blackbeardsguide.com) that is a companion for the free booklet of the same name, available in most marinas. Get a good chart kit of the ICW. (I recommend Kettlewell and Kettlewell's small, flipchart. It is compact, complete, and very economical.)

Here are some basic concepts to keep in mind when planning your trip. Unless you very skilled and know waters very well, plan never to travel in the dark. Time your journey to be at your anchorage or marina well before dusk. Time = Distance/Speed. The ICW is "marked" with a few visible, (but mostly virtual) Mile Markers. They begin at zero in Norfolk, VA and extend to 1092 in Miami, FL. Blackbeardsguide.com has a planner to assist in calculating each day's cruise, but you can do the same thing yourself by referring to a chart where the MM numbers are displayed. Do the math for each day's journey and decide how long you want to travel and where you can safely expect to go. Find what facilities exist there and what amenities they have. Waterway guides and websites will provide this information.

Is your boat too small to sleep overnight? So what! There are hotels, motels, or B&Bs near most marinas. And, lots of really good restaurants. Do some planning now and find some interesting places to enjoy on your adventure. If you have the time to spend, read up on tourist attractions, and experience some land-based adventures as well.

Know where the bridges are, what their clearances are, and how to negotiate them. Know the fuel consumption of your vessel and plan your fuel stops accordingly, always leaving a 10% reserve in the ICW and a 25-30% reserve offshore. Learn how to safely travel through sounds - use binoculars, follow a course line, and avoid times when large waves are created by strong winds running against the tidal flow. Plan alternative destinations, should foul weather or mechanical problems hit. Never plan a cruise where you have to arrive at a certain place at a given time. You can always leave the boat and return the next weekend.

You have a lot to read, so you better get started. But the reward you will have from all your hard work will be extraordinary! The thrill of being the captain of your vessel, having worked hard to research, study and plan your trip; then executing your plan carries a reward that few will ever know. Need more help? Contact me through my website - www.captwalt.com. Be safe. Take our courses. Do lots of planning. Have an great adventure!