Every year, hundreds of boaters navigate the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), moving south in the fall and back north in the spring. Called “The Ditch” by many, the AICW is cobbled together from bays, sounds, canals and rivers that allow travelers to skip offshore passages when making their way. It starts at Mile Marker Zero in Norfolk, Virginia, and heads south to Key West, Florida, although some also include the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, which starts at the Manasquan Inlet and unofficially extends the AICW through the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.
The Intracoastal Waterway is a well-worn groove in the Atlantic seaboard with over 200 years of history. Devotees of The Ditch often have five or more transits under their belts. A common dilemma for many of these snowbirds is budgeting for what is essentially a boat delivery from one cruising ground to another. asked experienced cruisers to share their tips for managing the biggest wallet-draining aspects of this 4- to 6-week voyage.
