So I live 10 min from DS and drove that way many times to Elizabeth city. The road years ago was 2 lanes and considered/was a dangerous road. When 17 was moved that stretch of road became a wonderful place for outdoor activities.
Great video! We risked it and took our 56' boat through the Dismal Swamp and loved every second. We had 8 thumps against our hull from totally submerged logs.. The smaller boats behind us did not hit anything so not sure if it was our size or because we were leading the pack. But we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Oh wow! That's amazing y'all, glad it went well and you had a good time 😁 Hopefully we connect somewhere on the Loop - infact we were picking up packages in Clayton the other day and they said they had a package for the Boomershines (but not ours haha) 😁
It was so cool to see the ships in your docking location! Having Maggie and Bruce on your boat was nice and hearing their thoughts on the Dismal Swamp and your perspectives on both the Dismal Swamp vs Virginia Cut were interesting and I’m sure helpful to other boaters. Jenn, another great job getting out of your docking location! Wonderful video…safe travels!
Thanks so much Suzanne! Maggie and Bruce were great to hang out with, hopefully we see them further up on the Loop. Docking is getting better and better with practice 😁
Another great video ! You guys are absolutely going to love New York City, the Hudson River, Waterford New York, and the Erie Canal ! (Except for all the locks)! HA. In real time, you might already be past these locations! Be Safe!
Haha in real time we just passed through the Eerie and crossed Ontario. You are spot on, we've thoroughly enjoyed all those and even really liked the locks 😁 Cheers!
I went thru the dismal swamp route quite a few years ago on a sailboat and this past may (2022) the Virginia cut route in a catamaran (sail). I had a better time on the dismal swamp but both times we had wet weather , particularly the most recent. The dismal swamp route seemed shorter to me , the Virginia cut route just went on for ever and with the terrible weather we could not enjoy it. The Virginia cut route also had more locks and bridges I think including the pesky north landing river bridge that would not open until almost 9am even though there was 7-8 boats waiting to go thru north bound before 7 am? This ended up adding half a day to our overall trip missing the next lock/ bridge combo , tide etc. However on google earth the Virginia cut route does seemto have a lot of variety and if we had been able to see it then the torrential rain it mich have been lovely! Cheers warren
It is your boat, you are also the pilot, that makes you the Captain. The Captain is responsible for EVERYTHING on the vessel from safety to maintenance to maritime laws. Onboard, the Captains word is law!
@@SchoandJo I could be wrong but I am pretty sure that you only have to have a captains license if piloting commercially. Similar to driving a bus or tract/trailer. If you own the rig and are using it in a "non-commercial" manner, then no DOT/CDL is required. A CDL (Commercial Drivers License) is only required if you are driving "for hire". I believe the same holds true for watercraft, but, again, I could be wrong.
Every time I hear The Dismal Swamp I think about the movie "The Princess Bride," even though it was "The Pit of Dispair" in the movie...lol Yup, my brain just does that...Great video as always....C,P,P, and D.
I’m not sure but I think I saw you guys when we were on the loop in my little 21 foot sailboat called Sweet Pee. You can see Sweet Pee on my channel. The name on your boat looks familiar. Thanks for sharing your video.
Quite possibly! Where / when did you start and end your loop? I do remember a small sailboat in the Islamorada but not sure if it was Sweet Pee. Cheers!
We’ve taken VC twice. Coinjock is the big attraction. We like Coinjock, but… Dismal Swamp seems much more fun and mysterious. Plus, we’ve never seen Elizabeth City by boat. Thanks for the breakdown!
I have traveled both routes many times in a 30 foot sailboat. One caution about DS: There are many overhanging trees on a narrow canal. One must be ever watchful to avoid snagging the mast. A friend lost his mast top wind vane and nav lights in this manner.
Hi, Great Vid-you refer to "fast" and "slow" speeds. What do you mean exactly by those terms. My sailboat powered hull speed is about 6kn and I'd like to travel the swamp at close to hull speed-what do you think? Cheers
Fast would be 15-20 kts, slow would be 5-6 kts IMO. I don't think you could ( or would want to) do more than that. I believe we did between 4-6 and enjoyed every minute of it 😁 It's only about 19 nautical miles, so it would take less than 4 hours at 5 kts 😁
In another life, as a Sea Explorer, our Ship rowed from what is now Town Point Park to Elizabeth City - I made the trip three years.. Lake Drummond is haunted.
Thank you for watching! 📚 Read Bruce's book about their experience on the Great Loop go.schoandjo.com/s/currently-away-amazon 💰 Find out how much the Great Loop Costs: schoandjo.com/great-loop-expenses/ 🔒 Learn how to lock: schoandjo.com/how-to-lock 💌 Want to keep up with us in real-time? Sign up for our weekly email to be filled in our current cruising plans and adventures. schoandjo.com/sunday-summary
No max height requirements for the Dismal, draft I'm not sure but our friends did it fine with a 4.5ft sailboat keel. Maybe you would think twice at 5.5 feet? Plenty of space on the canal so possibly 60 footer would be fine? hard to say exactly
On the St. Lawrence River! We post current information on our instagram and future plans on our email list at schoandjo.com/sunday-summary. Check those out if you're interested!
Another installment of the best Loopers on Planet Earth. Thanks for sharing guys.
Aww thanks Greg 🤙
“I’m sweating everywhere, but that’s normal” I FEEL THIS!!!! 😂 #teamsweat Maggie and Bruce seem awesome, loved getting to hear their perspectives too!
Haha 😁 Bruce and Maggie are definitely good people #teamsweat
So I live 10 min from DS and drove that way many times to Elizabeth city. The road years ago was 2 lanes and considered/was a dangerous road. When 17 was moved that stretch of road became a wonderful place for outdoor activities.
Oh that’s super cool! It’d be nice to take some time and really enjoy that stretch a bit more!
Great video! We risked it and took our 56' boat through the Dismal Swamp and loved every second. We had 8 thumps against our hull from totally submerged logs.. The smaller boats behind us did not hit anything so not sure if it was our size or because we were leading the pack. But we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Oh wow! That's amazing y'all, glad it went well and you had a good time 😁 Hopefully we connect somewhere on the Loop - infact we were picking up packages in Clayton the other day and they said they had a package for the Boomershines (but not ours haha) 😁
It was so cool to see the ships in your docking location! Having Maggie and Bruce on your boat was nice and hearing their thoughts on the Dismal Swamp and your perspectives on both the Dismal Swamp vs Virginia Cut were interesting and I’m sure helpful to other boaters. Jenn, another great job getting out of your docking location! Wonderful video…safe travels!
Thanks so much Suzanne! Maggie and Bruce were great to hang out with, hopefully we see them further up on the Loop. Docking is getting better and better with practice 😁
Very will done very informative. Best looper channel on RUclips.
Aww thanks so much Phillip!
Great info on the two routes. We enjoy your videos. Thank you for taking the time to do them. We always enjoy watching.
Thank you so much for watching!
Good job with the pros and cons, I totally agree 👍👌👏😊
Thanks Larry!
Awesome video guys, filled with great information. Be & enjoy
Thanks so much William!
Another great video ! You guys are absolutely going to love New York City, the Hudson River, Waterford New York, and the Erie Canal ! (Except for all the locks)! HA. In real time, you might already be past these locations! Be Safe!
Haha in real time we just passed through the Eerie and crossed Ontario. You are spot on, we've thoroughly enjoyed all those and even really liked the locks 😁 Cheers!
I'm from Portsmouth and know exactly where you're docked as I have docked there many times over the years.safe travels
Oh super cool Jeff!
Great information. I am glad you chose the Dismal Swamp. That's the one I would have chosen. 32 oz prime rib? WOW. Great video as always. Stay safe.
Thanks!!
Wow you guys just keep getting better and better. What a great video. Very informative. Thanks so much. Take care.
Thanks so much for watching Kevin 🤙
Great information for our future loop, thanks 🙏
Thanks Harold!
great vid thanks, sorry missed you guys in annapolis
Thanks Lester! There will always be another time, we didn't get to explore Annapolis as much as we liked so one day we will be back 😁
I went thru the dismal swamp route quite a few years ago on a sailboat and this past may (2022) the Virginia cut route in a catamaran (sail).
I had a better time on the dismal swamp but both times we had wet weather , particularly the most recent.
The dismal swamp route seemed shorter to me , the Virginia cut route just went on for ever and with the terrible weather we could not enjoy it.
The Virginia cut route also had more locks and bridges I think including the pesky north landing river bridge that would not open until almost 9am even though there was 7-8 boats waiting to go thru north bound before 7 am? This ended up adding half a day to our overall trip missing the next lock/ bridge combo , tide etc.
However on google earth the Virginia cut route does seemto have a lot of variety and if we had been able to see it then the torrential rain it mich have been lovely!
Cheers warren
Awesome, thanks for the Sailboat perspective. Cheers!
It is your boat, you are also the pilot, that makes you the Captain. The Captain is responsible for EVERYTHING on the vessel from safety to maintenance to maritime laws. Onboard, the Captains word is law!
True true... legally speaking I'm not a licensed captain but I am the one responsible!
@@SchoandJo I could be wrong but I am pretty sure that you only have to have a captains license if piloting commercially. Similar to driving a bus or tract/trailer. If you own the rig and are using it in a "non-commercial" manner, then no DOT/CDL is required. A CDL (Commercial Drivers License) is only required if you are driving "for hire". I believe the same holds true for watercraft, but, again, I could be wrong.
@@boosuedon You are correct!
Every time I hear The Dismal Swamp I think about the movie "The Princess Bride," even though it was "The Pit of Dispair" in the movie...lol Yup, my brain just does that...Great video as always....C,P,P, and D.
Haha! That's awesome... Thanks for watching 😁
I'm sure other boaters will appreciate the information on the two ways to go.
We hope so!
I’m not sure but I think I saw you guys when we were on the loop in my little 21 foot sailboat called Sweet Pee. You can see Sweet Pee on my channel. The name on your boat looks familiar. Thanks for sharing your video.
Quite possibly! Where / when did you start and end your loop? I do remember a small sailboat in the Islamorada but not sure if it was Sweet Pee. Cheers!
@@SchoandJo started on Chicago and ended in New York
We’ve taken VC twice. Coinjock is the big attraction. We like Coinjock, but… Dismal Swamp seems much more fun and mysterious. Plus, we’ve never seen Elizabeth City by boat.
Thanks for the breakdown!
Cool! It's neat just to experience the different options 😁
I follow Currently on IG! Awesome folks. Super cool seeing them on your channel.
Oh haha nice! They are good people 😁
I have traveled both routes many times in a 30 foot sailboat. One caution about DS: There are many overhanging trees on a narrow canal. One must be ever watchful to avoid snagging the mast. A friend lost his mast top wind vane and nav lights in this manner.
Very true! You have to be very careful when passing through!
Hi, Great Vid-you refer to "fast" and "slow" speeds. What do you mean exactly by those terms. My sailboat powered hull speed is about 6kn and I'd like to travel the swamp at close to hull speed-what do you think? Cheers
Fast would be 15-20 kts, slow would be 5-6 kts IMO. I don't think you could ( or would want to) do more than that. I believe we did between 4-6 and enjoyed every minute of it 😁 It's only about 19 nautical miles, so it would take less than 4 hours at 5 kts 😁
@@SchoandJo Thanks
In another life, as a Sea Explorer, our Ship rowed from what is now
Town Point Park to Elizabeth City - I made the trip three years..
Lake Drummond is haunted.
Thank you for watching!
📚 Read Bruce's book about their experience on the Great Loop go.schoandjo.com/s/currently-away-amazon
💰 Find out how much the Great Loop Costs: schoandjo.com/great-loop-expenses/
🔒 Learn how to lock: schoandjo.com/how-to-lock
💌 Want to keep up with us in real-time? Sign up for our weekly email to be filled in our current cruising plans and adventures. schoandjo.com/sunday-summary
ps thanks for abother great video!
Thanks Carl!
Hi is a 22 ‘ wide cat to big for the dismal swamp.
I think you could be fine. We met a 42 Manta Sailing Catamaran and they had plenty of room
Thanks enjoyed your video of the ICW
Thanks Jim!
what is the max draft height or length did u see on dismal?
No max height requirements for the Dismal, draft I'm not sure but our friends did it fine with a 4.5ft sailboat keel. Maybe you would think twice at 5.5 feet? Plenty of space on the canal so possibly 60 footer would be fine? hard to say exactly
Where are you now we are up in Ontario on Lake Simcoe and would like to meet up with you too
On the St. Lawrence River! We post current information on our instagram and future plans on our email list at schoandjo.com/sunday-summary. Check those out if you're interested!
What about the bugs.
Same for both!
Haven't done either as we are working on our next boat. Will follow your counsel. 🌊💨🛥🌞✨
Thanks Richard!