Sailing a 22ft Cape Dory from Boston to Southern Florida

[dlochner]

While the Delaware Bay is a challenge, it is a challenge because it is about 30 miles from Cape May to the C&D canal, but it is doable. Unlike most portions of the ICW there really isn't a good anchorage or marina from Cape May to the Canal. There a few good places to anchor near the entrance to the canal, one behind Reedy Island and the other near the canal itself just outside the break wall on the south. Both offer reasonable protection. Ideally he'll leave the CG anchorage in Cape May an hour or so before dead low tide, motor through the CM canal and ride the tide up to the C&D canal. If he gets there in time to ride the current down the 18 miles of the canal to the Chesapeake to anchor in the Bohemia River. We did this by leaving at 0330 and were anchored in the Bohemia River by 1700 or so. That may not be reasonable in a 22 ft boat.

In terms of managing the boat and navigating, the East River in NY can be a real white knuckled ride, especially in a small boat. At ~12 miles long and with currents running up to 4+Knots riding the current is essential. Even then there will be standing waves, upwellings, and eddy lines to watch for. It is too long a distance for a small boat to sneak through on slack water.

The best source of information I found was the Eldridge Tide book. The book has maps of the currents and critical tide information, for the Cape Cod Canal, East River, and Delaware Bay. The book makes the navigator less dependent on internet access.

I would encourage your friend to use the Bob423 FB group and to have him ask his questions here.

 

[palcuz]

I

This was also covered in a follow up post. The map below show the eastern and western routes going south out of VIrginia

I Did see this map. Yesterday I was able to follow the entire route from Mannasqan inlet down to St Augustine Fla. It looks like it would take a very long time, but then again as I traced the course it was NM by NM so I suppose not as bad once underway. Some sections must be beautiful open country while others seem like they would be fairly busy waterways.

 

[palcuz]

While the Delaware Bay is a challenge, it is a challenge because it is about 30 miles from Cape May to the C&D canal, but it is doable. Unlike most portions of the ICW there really isn't a good anchorage or marina from Cape May to the Canal. There a few good places to anchor near the entrance to the canal, one behind Reedy Island and the other near the canal itself just outside the break wall on the south. Both offer reasonable protection. Ideally he'll leave the CG anchorage in Cape May an hour or so before dead low tide, motor through the CM canal and ride the tide up to the C&D canal. If he gets there in time to ride the current down the 18 miles of the canal to the Chesapeake to anchor in the Bohemia River. We did this by leaving at 0330 and were anchored in the Bohemia River by 1700 or so. That may not be reasonable in a 22 ft boat.

In terms of managing the boat and navigating, the East River in NY can be a real white knuckled ride, especially in a small boat. At ~12 miles long and with currents running up to 4+Knots riding the current is essential. Even then there will be standing waves, upwellings, and eddy lines to watch for. It is too long a distance for a small boat to sneak through on slack water.

The best source of information I found was the Eldridge Tide book. The book has maps of the currents and critical tide information, for the Cape Cod Canal, East River, and Delaware Bay. The book makes the navigator less dependent on internet access.

I would encourage your friend to use the Bob423 FB group and to have him ask his questions here.

I will forward the suggestions here to him. Can I ask which type of vessel you made your passage with?

 

[sailme88]

Make sure that the friend has spare tires for the trailer...

 

[dlochner]

I will forward the suggestions here to him. Can I ask which type of vessel you made your passage with?

A Sabre 362, 36' sloop.

 

[palcuz]

Make sure that the friend has spare tires for the trailer...

Lol trailer. No trailer involved. We shall see. I suppose nothing could be ruled out.

 

[rgranger]

Lol trailer. No trailer involved. We shall see. I suppose nothing could be ruled out.

Hire a T-aged punk to be on standby and ready to drive the trailer south...The best huricane hole is the one you are not sitting in...

 

[palcuz]

I

Hire a T-aged punk to be on standby and ready to drive the trailer south...The best huricane hole is the one you are not sitting in...

I'm the 52 year old Teenage punk on standby!

 

[palcuz]

Gloucester breeds 'em strong at heart and strong at will.

It's about 10am on Monday and I'm sitting here at the end of Dogbar breakwater awaiting Captain Guy Fieros exit from Gloucester Harbor.

Guy has been waiting all of his life to start this solo sailing journey down to Florida and with some good luck,beyond.

He has been acclimating to life on his 22 foot Cape Dory Typhoon sailboat by living on it for just over two months just off of Ten Pound Island. His sailboat is his home.

Guy is an accredited sailing instructor and USCG captain. He started sailing when he was 7 years old. Over the past few years he has been teaching sailing under the non profit name of "Cape Ann Community Sailing".

This journey South bound aboard "Sonnet" is expected to take upwards of 2-3 months as he makes the sail from point to point, tack to tack, in 20-40 Nautical Mile increments. Of course that timeframe will vary as the wind, tide and weather dictate his passage.

This morning we have a 5-10 knot wind out of the south becoming Southwest as it ususally does in the afternoons here on Cape Ann. It will be slow going-as I sit here I can see that Guy has made now 4 tacks on his way to the mouth of the harbor under sail from his mooring at Ten Pound. He's now on a starboard tack that should take him just inside the breakwater before tacking to the portside to head Southwest toward Magnolia, Salem, and eventually beyond Boston this afternoon.

His goal today will be to anchor somewhere sheltered beteeen Scituate and Plymouth harbor. If all go's well he will make a 20NM jump from where he sets later today, out to Provincetown. Weather tomorrow brings thunderstorms so he will probably sail again on Wednesday to start the reach to Oyster Bay New York inside Hudson Bay. Beyond that his goal is Mannisquan inlet to begin the trek along the ICW (intercoastal waterway) that should provide shelter for most of the trip down the eastern seaboard.

We will make every effort to give voyage updates as he sends along video and text logs whenever he can do so.

As I'm sitting here now, about an hour and twenty minutes have passed. The 22 foot boat is now a speck on the horizon. My guess is that's Guy is moving along at about 4knots in this 7 knot wind.

I'll wait until he's out of sight. My feelings are of sadness as he's been a fun and thoughtful friend and it's tough to see him go, slowly off into the distance under sail, but I also feel great happiness for him as he is underway on a voyage he has dreamed of for his entire life. It must feel good.

I said a short prayer to Saint Peter as he left the harbor. He may not be a fishermen, but he's certainly a Gloucesterman.

Fair winds and following seas, Guy.

Well meet up soon.

Live your dreams

 

[BarryL]

HI,

Fair winds and following seas to Guy.

Personally, I would not attempt that trip. But I wish him the best of luck.

Barry

 

[shemandr]

Well Gloucester was home for another sailor whose long voyages in small boats - Howard Blackburn.
Fair winds, Guy! We'd love to get reports.

 

[palcuz]

HI,

Fair winds and following seas to Guy.

Personally, I would not attempt that trip. But I wish him the best of luck.

Barry

He's on his way. We will see how it goes. He's very determined. He just called. He's 9NM from Spectacle Island off Boston. He will shelter there overnight. Looks like docking on the island.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Best wishes to Guy! We'll be anxious to hear about his progress along the way and I'm sure that there will be well-wishers all along his route. He may be in Barnegat Bay by this weekend. If he finds himself near the town of Barnegat on Friday or Saturday we will be happy to invite him to dinner at Sun Harbor. We have an excellent anchorage right in the neighborhood or he could possibly stay in our marina. I've got an empty slip right next to me and he might want a shower and some comfort right about that time! It sounds like our location is directly on his route.

Thanks so much @palcuz for bringing this adventure to us. This is the sort of stuff that grips our interest. Regular updates will certainly be welcome. He will have company and encouragement all along the way if he desires!

 

[rgranger]

I'm the 52 year old Teenage punk on standby!

I'm crying.....

 

[rgranger]

I'll second @Scott T-Bird
He can get a ride to the store, a hot shower and a bed in Charleston when he gets here. If he is game let me know and I'll PM you my contact info.

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

He will have company and encouragement all along the way if he desires!

I was thinking the same thing myself. Lots of good folks on here always ready to lend a hand. Even if it is just a ride to costco for restocking supplies.

 

[palcuz]

Best wishes to Guy! We'll be anxious to hear about his progress along the way and I'm sure that there will be well-wishers all along his route. He may be in Barnegat Bay by this weekend. If he finds himself near the town of Barnegat on Friday or Saturday we will be happy to invite him to dinner at Sun Harbor. We have an excellent anchorage right in the neighborhood or he could possibly stay in our marina. I've got an empty slip right next to me and he might want a shower and some comfort right about that time! It sounds like our location is directly on his route.

Thanks so much @palcuz for bringing this adventure to us. This is the sort of stuff that grips our interest. Regular updates will certainly be welcome. He will have company and encouragement all along the way if he desires!

Wow thats great! I've passed on the link to this thread. He's hunkered down for the night on Spectacle Island off of the coast of Boston. He left Gloucester Harbor at 10am and reached Spectacle Island at 730 this evening. I'm sure he hopes to sail at the Crack of dawn most days. Today he had some last minute chores before departure. He briefly interrupted the "Star" international regatta out of Marblehead Massachusetts around 230pm. Oops. Thunderstorms tomorrow so I'd imagine he will stay put at his mooring. Thanks for the replies! The photo is Boston from Spectacle Isle.

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

A few things I forgot to mention:

A few weeks ago I cruised my boat home from Portland Maine. A friend and I sent Salem to Plymouth to New Bedford to Bristrol RI to Block Island to Westbrook CT to Mt. Sinai, NY.

I was able to travel at 6 kts easily, so the distances were more but the concept the same.

Lastly - when Guy gets to the Long Island I can provide a mooring in Mt. Sinai harbor if we wants one.

Barry

 

[palcuz]

I

Hey,

A few things I forgot to mention:

A few weeks ago I cruised my boat home from Portland Maine. A friend and I sent Salem to Plymouth to New Bedford to Bristrol RI to Block Island to Westbrook CT to Mt. Sinai, NY.

I was able to travel at 6 kts easily, so the distances were more but the concept the same.

Lastly - when Guy gets to the Long Island I can provide a mooring in Mt. Sinai harbor if we wants one.

Barry

Will pass on the message. Is there a way he can get in touch with you? I'll try private message-just haven't used it on this forum.

 

[dLj]

If Guy decides to go up the Delaware and through the C&D canal - on his way down the Chesapeake he'll go very close to my marina. If he wishes and the timing is fight for him, I'm sure I can get him a slip and a warm shower at a minimum.

dj