Sail the ICW - Part 10

The final part of my trip from Charleston SC to New Orleans in my 1983 Albin 27FC cruiser 'Free State'. Explored the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain to choose somewhere to lay her up for the 2015 hurricane season.
Although she is up for sale I won't be too unhappy if she doesn't sell and I'll be back for another adventure in 2016.
The complete series:-
Part 1 - • Sailing the ICW 2015 -...
Part 2 - • Sailing the ICW 2015 -...
Part 3 - • Sail the ICW 2015 - Pa...
Part 4 - • Sail the ICW - 2015 - ...
Part 5 - • Sail the ICW - 2015 - ...
Part 6 - • Sail the ICW - 2015 - ...
Part 7 - • Sail the ICW - 2015 - ...
Part 8 - • Sail the ICW - 2015 - ...
Part 9 - • Sail the ICW 2015 - Ca...
Part 10- • Sail the ICW - Part 10

[@solosailor222]

So well done, i binged the whole ICW series. Your 1800 miles are probably more than most boaters will get from thier much more expensive yachts. Well Done !

[@smacksman1]

Thank you. I really enjoyed the USA and her friendly people.

[@smacksman1]

Thanks for the invitation, Bruce. The ICW is a great cruising route with interesting places and great people.

[@vxnova1]

Thank you, fantastic series,

[@elgordo6883]

Excellent series. Hope to have you back soon.

[@normanboyes4983]

A great series of videos that document a significant of your life. You are a natural narrator and I have enjoyed the whole series.

[@chrisleo6639]

I just completed watching the series for the second time. I'm preparing to buy an Albin 27 SE for use on the ICW in New Jersey and on the Chesapeake Bay. This series helps me understand the vessel and it's potential. Thank you Smacksman

[@smacksman1]

Good choice, Chris. One thing I missed was midship cleats. They would have made tying up alongside much easier, especially single handed. It is a pity I didn't have months to spare cruising the Delaware and Chesapeake. Great area and really nice people.

[@frritter8253]

Appreciated your sharing your journey with us sir, excellent job! Looking forward to your next adventure.

[@rfdinesen4027]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Come back and do more. Also, come visit the Chesapeake Bay - great cruising.

[@smacksman1]

+RF dinesen Thanks for the invite! I sailed the lovely Chesapeake in 2012 in Sylvia G, an old Bristol 30, that I bought on Ebay in 2012 in Connecticut and sailed her down the ICW to Key West via the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. Lovely part of the World!

[@mw5426]

Thank you for sharing was very well done video!~ It has convinced me I dont need a larger boat to cruise! I will be looking closer at Albin!

[@smacksman1]

+Mark Williamson I suppose its a bit like a house - you rattle around in a big house by yourself till the family and friends come to visit and there's not enough room!

[@mw5426]

Yes I see she's for sale in New orleans for 20K USD. I was trying to convince my wife to buy her as she is a celebrity but to no avail! We have one more daughter to finish putting through college so timing is not right!

[@rbrundrett3865]

I really enjoyed both of your series. You showed the real day -to - day life and challenges of traveling the LOOP's waterways.

[@bobf6000]

Enjoyed your adventure. Hope you will come back soon! Bob F.

[@smacksman1]

+Bob F I hope so too, Bob, but if I don't manage it, then I will still have memories to last a lifetime.

[@davidgreer7270]

I have watched your videos and enjoyed them all Sir. Great job. Hope you sell Free State but you are welcome here anytime.

[@Squarekn0t]

I downsized to an Albin25 in 2014 when I sold my houseboat. Loved the stout little boat and it extended my cruising on the Chesapeake Bay. Had trouble with the oil pressure in the BMW engine. Watching your video reminds me of how noisy it was in the cockpit when everything was closed up. After 3 hours I wanted to back to sailing again. I have been watching you-tube videos of the English narrow boats for a few years now. Thanks for sharing.

[@smacksman1]

Driving from a fly bridge is much quieter but then we were able to drive under 9 foot bridges. Horses for courses!

[@annetteurban1701]

Any chance you could ship a narrowboat back with you, I want to do the Erie canal, New York State barge canal, that's why I started to look at your videos, got two Albins available. You would;t have to run wide open on the Erie- just chug along! Thanks for the reply!

[@smacksman1]

American/Canadian canals are much wider than UK canals and connect wider expanses of rivers and lakes. European canals are much like those in the States and carry big traffic. UK canals are generally just wide enough for two narrowboats to pass. UK narrowboats would be a pig in such open waters if the wind picks up. Like a lot of things to do with travel on water - the local designs of craft is what to go for.

[@EdEdelenbos]

I realize this is from a while ago, but I appreciate your efforts putting this together. I am in negotiations for an Albin 30... very similar to the boat you sailed in this series of videos. Very helpful.

[@smacksman1]

Solid boats. You may have done so already but joining the Albin Owners Association provides access to a wealth of knowledge. Fair winds, Roger

[@Floridificator]

Very nice. The biting insects are the absolute worst! Suggestion for next upgrade: some screening to add your enclosure scheme. Drop us a line as your travels bring you S again.

[@smacksman1]

+Keith Oulson The yellow flies are too intelligent! They wait till you are busy navigating in a tricky spot then zap you! :)

[@jwnagy]

Enjoyable series!

[@smacksman1]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jwnagy]

smacksman1 I retire in 6 years. I'm going to build a boat in and do this myself.

[@smacksman1]

Building a boat is a huge project but obviously it can be done. You need an understanding wife to have all the mess in your back yard for a few years!! :-)

[@jwnagy]

Not married. Check Live on rural average. Check 4 year project. Check Live within an hour from Cheasapeake Bay. Check 😁😁😁😁

[@smacksman1]

sounds like an ideal location to do up a project boat. Plenty of them out there in the plus/minus 30 foot range for free or not much more.

[@bruceross2151]

absolutely enjoyed your videos. both series. i think I hear the great loop calling you. I'll do my part if you make it to Tennessee.

[@gracereed7557]

Bruce Ross - if you make it to Philadelphia (where the “insurrection” began), I would be honored to show the sites.

[@darbybyrdjr]

Thanks for sharing, enjoyed so much. What's next, New Orleans to the end of the ICW in Brownsville Texas?

[@smacksman1]

+darby byrd Much as I would like to unfortunatly economics force me the other way. I have to sell Free State and after 6 months failing to do so in New Orleans I will be heading back to Florida where I easily sold my last boat, Sylvia G. Roger

[@luckymunkey77.]

Oh cool. I’m in the albin owner group also. I’m the 25 section. Thumper is my boat. The single cylinder Sabb. If your still active maybe you can follow along as I refurb thumper. It also has sails. But I am new to boating. And do not know anything about using sails.

[@smacksman1]

No problem. You will learn to sail and there is a lot of help out there. Maybe my only advice would be to only use the sails when the wind is abeam (at right angles to you) or aft of the beam (more behind you). Albins are motor sailors and do not have the hull form for beating to windward very well. What you will have is a lot of fun!

[@equinociodeverao8155]

Hi, I like so much your style, especially the quiet explanation! What adventures! Could you please me writing your "statistics"? I'm Brazilian, living at Sāo Paulo and have a very bad hearing, despite your beautiful language...Thankyou for your attention e for the nice vídeos!

[@smacksman1]

+equinocio Deverāo In 2004 I sailed into the Paraiba River at Cabedelo and visited João Pessoa. I loved the little bit of Brazil that I saw and great hospitality from Brazillians. Thank you. What 'statistics' would you like?

[@rockinpiano1]

Hurry back, Smacksman, the Pacific Northwest awaits you! On another subject, my condolences go out to you Brits on the passing of Eric melrose Brown. He was a man that set a standard to look/live up to but will probably never be met again.

[@equinociodeverao8155]

Hi, I would like to see those statistics at 17:47! Thankyou again!

[@smacksman1]

I put the breakdown of costs in another video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioranZuuZ5aSibs

[@jwnagy]

Acreage.