Dismal Swamp Canal?

SKybolt

SKybolt

Well-Known Member
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Nov 11, 2014
5,226
Kent Narrows, MD
Boat Info
Reel Nauti
460 EC
Engines
Detroit 6v92TA
(Low profile's)
Alison Gears
Westerbeke
12.5kw Genset
Has anyone ventured the Dismal Swamp Canal?

I have only ever gone through the Albermarle/Chesapeake canal. I was reading up on it a bit and it looks like a really nice trip to take through there. It's maintained at 6' deep, I am not sure of the bridge heights or if my boat would be able to run the full length or not (Bridges). Although I have seen pictures of the canal with sail boats going through.

Anyway, if anyone has ventured the canal I would love to hear about it. Thanks.
 
Many loopers record their travels thru the canal. You can try you tube.
 
SKybolt said:
Has anyone ventured the Dismal Swamp Canal?

I have only ever gone through the Albermarle/Chesapeake canal. I was reading up on it a bit and it looks like a really nice trip to take through there. It's maintained at 6' deep, I am not sure of the bridge heights or if my boat would be able to run the full length or not (Bridges). Although I have seen pictures of the canal with sail boats going through.

Anyway, if anyone has ventured the canal I would love to hear about it. Thanks.
Click to expand...
There is an article in Proptalk this month about it.
https://www.proptalk.com//cruising-dismal-swamp-canal-17-foot-boson-whaler
 
We were talking about that with a local delivery captain last month. At the time, the “other route” was closed indefinitely due to maintenance problems. Anyway, he didn’t even flinch when asked about going through the Dismal Swamp…..DON’T DO IT.

Jaybeaux
 
The canal was closed in ‘17 when we were coming north during our loop because of hurricane Matthew, had it not been closed, we were going to do it. The next couple trips up and down we were hearing of lock issues and object strikes so we never did it.
We would have liked to have done it to learn more about the history but just decided against it in our boat. Maybe if we had a trawler with protected running gear. People we know that have done it all say it’s nice for a one time thing but keep your speed to a crawl (speed limit 6) so that if you bump something there is less chance of trouble and don’t follow other boats too close because their prop wash lifts sunken logs off the bottom.
It’s pretty shallow, 6 feet I think, not a lot of room. Maybe things have improved (dredged)?
 
Jaybeaux said:
... Anyway, he didn’t even flinch when asked about going through the Dismal Swamp…..DON’T DO IT.

Jaybeaux
Click to expand...

That stinks, I have heard only day boats should traverse the canal. Can't beat local knowledge, bummer. Thanks.
 
I was following a couple of ICW Facebook pages while we came north last month. Due to the limited schedule at Great Bridge lock alot more traffic was going through the Dismal Swamp and there were many reports of prop strikes.
 
The latest known depths are reported in the Local Notice to Mariners on the Coast Guards site, so you can always consult those documents. Its "maintained" to 9' which is a pretty good margin for most Sea Rays.

Personally, I think it would be a blast and a challenge!

I watched a youtube vid of a guy in a SR 400 Sedan Bridge do it about 9 months ago, so it is possible. I think if you attempt it, you need to have a well thought out plan for contingencies/emergencies, file a float plan etc relevant spares.




https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Featured-Content/Mariners/Local-Notice-to-Mariners-LNMs/District-5/
 
You just have to remember to order it when you make the slip reservation. Next to impossible to walk in and they have any left.
 
If you are driving on US 17 near the NC/VA border, stop at the Dismal Canal rest area. They have docks where you can check out the boats transiting the canal. There is also a museum
 
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