2023 ICW Cruising Guide: Your guide by Bob423 for safely navigating hazards on the Atlantic ICW with full color charts for each hazard and tips for living aboard

Book Synopsis: The Guide covers basic knowledge needed for those transiting the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in the first six chapters. In Chapter 7, the ICW University series starts with more detailed explanations of nautical knowledge needed for living on the ICW.

The ICW Cruising Guide has expanded to 297 pages to provide essential ICW information with over 500 links to additional online sources. The links are active in the eBook and Waterway Guide versions. An active link list will be published on the download site at bobicw.blogspot.com for those with just the hardcopy version.

All 126 hazard charts have been updated with depths from Bob423 and his Surveyors in spring of 2023 to include the latest USACE survey charts as displayed in Aqua Map Master with the Bob423 track as a blue dotted line.

MLLW at top of hazard page. New this year is the least MLLW seen for each hazard area prominently displayed at the top of the page with the hazard chart. The same format is carried over to the Table of Contents so at a glance you can see the MLLW numbers for the areas you plan to traverse that day provided you stay on the Bob423 track.

Technology never sleeps. All recommendations have been updated to reflect the current state of the art.

What are Bob423 Tracks? A section explaining what Bob423 tracks are, their sources, and how to use them has been added.

I take a deep dive into Aqua Map features with a focus on the new weather capabilities and explain the meaning of each icon on the Aqua Map first screen.

Color coding Navionics SonarCharts. I cover how to tailor your Navionics SonarChart display for shallow water navigation with color-coded depths. Examples and a step-by-step procedure are outlined.

Split Screen basics covers how to see both Aqua Map and Navionics on Apple and Android devices at the same time.

Crowd Sourcing Bathymetry comes to Aqua Map. Share your soundings with NOAA.

Want to anchor in Key West instead of opting for an expensive marina? I interviewed Stan Loveday, a Key West Bight City Marina Dockmaster, for advice on where nearby to anchor that won’t result in your boat up on land after some wind.

ICW-Proof Your Engine. Max Parker of Zimmerman Marine continues his article on How to ICW-Proof Your Engine. Cruising the ICW involves long hours of engine running, often at relatively low RPMs which is not the best strategy for long-term engine durability. Max Parker, head of yard operations at Zimmerman Marine gives his insight from 25 years servicing ICW cruisers on how to best maintain our engines for trouble-free operation.

Introduction to Weather Apps. I cover the weather models most valuable to boaters and the apps that best display them. Two examples are given to show the differences in predictions from weather fronts and during summer thunderstorms.

25% off coupon. Aqua Map Master should be your first navigation app investment. It’s a bargain that can’t be beaten. You will find a coupon in the guide for 25% off the initial purchase price of Aqua Map charts, so be sure to take advantage of the offer if you don’t already have Aqua Map.

There are many other features not covered in this brief outline.