Congratulations on your new acquisition.
I have brought my J/30 from New England to Miami (where she is kept) on her own bottom four times since 2000. It entirely possible and practical although in these colder months you might find some of the nights a little exigent. Buy a $30 ceramic element space heater for those nights when you will be tied up at a dock with AC power and bring an inventory of long johns and 40-degree sleeping bags for nights out on the hook.
The ICW will be too shallow at low tides but negotiable at higher tides in several locations between Wilmington, NC and Charleston but if you have the patience and prudence it is not obligatory to touch bottom. And if you feel OK about the boat and your gear and your preparations and the weather forecast you can always bite off some chunks of the coastline on the "outside". I once made the run from Cape Fear River Entrance to Jax Breakwaters in 48 hours but that was in breezes that I would prefer not to sail in when then overnight lows are in the 40's.
I have never had the J/30 in the ditch between Port Royal, SC and Jax. I have always been on the outside for that part but I understand that the shallow stuff in that section can also be managed.
You can make that trip on her own bottom for a good bit less that the cost of trucking and at the end of the run you will have a great handle on what needs to be done to get the boat improved to your satisfaction - your "list" will be impressive and you will have a locker full of neat memories.
Good luck with what ever you choose.
