Dismal Swamp Canal?

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by SKybolt, May 25, 2023.

  1. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    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.
     
    dtfeld likes this.
  2. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
    dtfeld likes this.
  3. Golfman25

    Golfman25 Well-Known Member

    Sep 12, 2009
    IL
    1998 370 Sundancer
    7.4 MPI
    Many loopers record their travels thru the canal. You can try you tube.
     
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  4. Pirate Lady

    Pirate Lady Well-Known Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    Chesapeake Bay, Middle River
    Sundancer 250 ‘91
    7.4 Bravo 1
    There is an article in Proptalk this month about it.
    https://www.proptalk.com//cruising-dismal-swamp-canal-17-foot-boson-whaler
     
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  5. Jaybeaux

    Jaybeaux Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Jan 3, 2016
    Upper Potomac River
    2006 Sea Ray 48
    Naught On Call
    Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
    11 KW Onan Genset
    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
     
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  6. my3sons

    my3sons Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Feb 24, 2009
    Western NY (Lake Erie)
    2004 400DB, Onan 9 kw Generator, Highfield RIB,
    Cummins 6CTA M-3
    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)?
     
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  7. my3sons

    my3sons Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Feb 24, 2009
    Western NY (Lake Erie)
    2004 400DB, Onan 9 kw Generator, Highfield RIB,
    Cummins 6CTA M-3
    SKybolt likes this.
  8. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
    That stinks, I have heard only day boats should traverse the canal. Can't beat local knowledge, bummer. Thanks.
     
  9. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
  10. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
    Thanks, funny. That's what prompted this post. We were talking about a Norfolk trip this summer and wanted to extend it and try the canal. Read a few other articles on it and sounded like a pretty cool trip to make.
     
  11. quality time

    quality time Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Oct 30, 2007
    Upper Chesapeake Bay
    2006 50' Post
    Series 60 Detroit/MTU
    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.
     
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  12. FootballFan

    FootballFan Well-Known Member

    Jun 20, 2012
    Florida
    Marquis 59
    MTU Series 60
    Run down to Coinjock and have some Prime Rib.
     
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  13. dtfeld

    dtfeld Water Contrails GOLD Sponsor

    Jun 5, 2016
    Milton, GA
    410 Sundancer
    2001
    12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
    Cat 3126 V-Drives
    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/
     
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  14. techmitch

    techmitch Well-Known Member PLATINUM Sponsor

    May 1, 2008
    Chesapeake Bay, Middle River/Frog Mortar Creek MD.
    1999 270 DA
    Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
    Pretty sure Mike @Turtlesboat (SP) ran it north bound when bringing his 450DA up from FL. years ago.
    Awesome Video Blog/trip was posted on here and followed him via AIS. Cool shit!
     
    SKybolt likes this.
  15. techmitch

    techmitch Well-Known Member PLATINUM Sponsor

    May 1, 2008
    Chesapeake Bay, Middle River/Frog Mortar Creek MD.
    1999 270 DA
    Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
    blaster, dtfeld and SKybolt like this.
  16. techmitch

    techmitch Well-Known Member PLATINUM Sponsor

    May 1, 2008
    Chesapeake Bay, Middle River/Frog Mortar Creek MD.
    1999 270 DA
    Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
    I understand from both the good @Capt. Rusty Higgins and @fwebster this a must do.
     
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  17. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
    Your not kidding, haven't been there in many years.
     
  18. SKybolt

    SKybolt Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    Nov 11, 2014
    Kent Narrows, MD
    Reel Nauti
    460 EC
    Detroit 6v92TA
    (Low profile's)
    Alison Gears
    Westerbeke
    12.5kw Genset
    This is what I have heard and why it's on my list. Looks amazing to do.
     
  19. FootballFan

    FootballFan Well-Known Member

    Jun 20, 2012
    Florida
    Marquis 59
    MTU Series 60
    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.
     
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  20. BlueYonder

    BlueYonder Active Member

    287
    Jan 12, 2015
    Southwest Florida
    37
    QSC 8.3 600
    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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